Buchberger Homers Twice, Chiefs Blank Bandits

Peoria, IL - The Chiefs used a gem on the mound combined with a multi-home run night from Jacob Buchberger to collect their second win in as many nights over the River Bandits, edging the visitors by a 5-0 final.

In the top of the first, things appeared to be going the way of Quad Cities, as three of the first five batters reached base via a walk against Chiefs hurler Austin Love. However, upon wiggling his way out of any trouble in the opening frame, it was smooth sailing for the right-hander.

He received some support in the top of the third, when Buchberger sent a line shot over the wall in left center for his sixth round tripper of the season to put the Chiefs on the board first, 1-0.

Come the fourth frame, Peoria continued to swing the bats well. Tyler Reichenborn knocked a single into center and Noah Mendlinger was plunked to set up Mack Chambers. With the count 1-2, Chambers smacked one over the head of the Quad Cities center fielder and brought home Reichenborn to make it a 2-0 game. Two batters later, Buchberger got another crack and delivered again. His three-run homer created some major separation and gave the Chiefs a 5-0 cushion. For Buchberger, it was the first multi-homer game of his career.

Austin Love hit the showers after five shutout frames scattering just two hits, while skipping around four walks and fanning eight batters. Nathanael Heredia and Chris Gerard followed out of the bullpen to combine for four scoreless innings and finish off Peoria’s fifth shutout victory of the campaign. Over the month of August, the Peoria pitching staff has posted the lowest WHIP in all of High-A.

Game four of the series is on tap for tomorrow night at 6:35. Dionys Rodriguez will make the start for the Chiefs while Rylan Kaufman gets the nod for Quad Cities.