Sexton, Chiefs One Hit Clinton in 7-0 Win

Peoria, IL -Austin Sexton struck out 10 and did not allow a hit over seven innings, though the no-hit bid ended in the ninth inning as the Peoria Chiefs shut out the Clinton LumberKings 7-0 on Saturday night. The Chiefs are 27-34 overall and will play the third of four games against Clinton Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch at Dozer Park.
    The Chiefs jumped out to an early lead in the first inning against LumberKings starter Ljay Newsome. With one out Andy Young doubled to left field and Andrew Knizner doubled to right to drive in Young and give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. Ryan McCarvel plated Knizner in the next at-bat with a triple to right-center and extended Peoria's lead to 2-0. With two outs, Vince Jackson hit a long double to left-center field that scored McCarvel and gave the Chiefs a 3-0 advantage.  

  In the fourth, Peoria added on to their lead against Clinton reliever Lane Ratliff. With one out, Dylan Carlson hit a home run to right field to give the Chiefs a 4-0 lead. Jose Martinez struck out, but reached on a passed ball and Shane Billings singled to left. Young singled up-the-middle to score Martinez and give the Chiefs a 5-0 lead. Knizner singled down-the-line in right field to drive in Billings from second and extend Peoria's lead to 6-0.
    In the seventh, the Chiefs scored on LumberKings reliever Steven Moyers. With one out, Jackson doubled off the wall in left field and Juan Yepez drove him in on a double to right field that gave Peoria a 7-0 lead.
    Sexton retired the first 14 hitters with eight strikeouts before Nick Zammarelli III reached on an error by Jackson on a fly ball to left field with two outs in the fifth inning. The right-hander continued through the seventh inning and collected 10 strikeouts total.
    Brady Bowen threw a perfect-eighth inning, getting three ground-ball outs. In the ninth inning, Dewin Perez struck out Nick Thurman to start the inning, but Jhombeyker Morales singled to center and broke up the no-hitter.
    Sexton (2-0) earned a win and went seven no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts. Bowen tossed one inning of perfect baseball. Perez threw the ninth inning, allowing the only hit of the game with a strikeout.
Notes… All four hits for Peoria in the first inning were extra-base hits… Carlson's homer was his first against a left-handed pitcher in his career… Sexton set career-highs with 10 strikeouts and seven innings pitched… Sexton's 10 strikeouts tie the most by a Chiefs pitcher this season, and are the most since Mike O'Reilly struck out 10 on May 20 against Beloit… This is the second one-hitter the Chiefs have thrown this season… Peoria's five doubles tie a season high which was set on June 8 against Kane County… The Chiefs were 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position… Five Chiefs had multi-hit games and seven Chiefs had at least one hit… McCarvel has a four-game hit streak, and Billings has a five-game hit streak which is the longest active streak on the team… Knizner had his team-leading eighth multi-RBI game of the year… Peoria had seven extra-base hits, which is one shy of the season high of eight… The Chiefs improve to 5-5 on Saturdays this season and 3-1 at home on Saturdays…The Chiefs continue their series against the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch at Dozer Park… The 2002 Championship Weekend continues with a 2002 Chiefs Youth Replica Jersey Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance… PBS's Arthur will make an appearance… Sunday will be a Mike O'Reilly player poster giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by PJStar.com and City Link… It will also be a PNC Kids Sunday where kids 12 and under receive $5 admission and free hot dogs, chips, and drink with paid kids ticket… There will be pre-game player autographs for kids 12 and under only… Kids can also run the bases post-game and all fans can play catch on field… Sunday is a Senior Sunday at Dozer Park where all seniors 55 and over can get $5 tickets when buying in person at the box office… The Chiefs send LH John Kilichowski (0-5, 6.30) to the mound against Clinton LH Nick Wells (1-6, 6.70)… The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 1:45 p.m. on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android…The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App.