Chiefs Blanked By Kernels in Sunday Matinee

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA– Peoria’s offensive struggles continued Sunday as the Chiefs were held to just two hits in a 6-0 loss to Cedar Rapids.

After scoring 11 runs in Tuesday’s series opener, the Chiefs scored just six runs over the final five games in the series.

Sunday’s scoring started in the bottom of the second when Kernels designated hitter Nate Baez launched a solo shot over the high wall in left to give Cedar Rapids a 1-0 lead. For Baez, it was his first home run of the year.

An inning later, Baez tacked on another run against Chiefs starter Brycen Mautz. After Rubel Cespedes led off the third with a double, Baez scored him with a solid single into left to make it 2-0. Mautz labored through three innings Sunday and was lifted after firing 73 pitches. He was tagged with the loss.

The Peoria bullpen kept the game close as they stranded Kernels traffic in the middle innings. Cedar Rapids created separation with a two-run seventh inning. With runners at the corner, Agustin Ruiz lined a solid single into right field to make it a 3-0 game. Then, a Keoni Cavaco sac fly made it 4-0.

In the bottom of the eighth, Chiefs reliever Joseph King surrendered his first earned runs in nearly a month as he gave up a two-run blast to Danny De Andrade to create the final 6-0 margin.

Zach Levenson and Joshua Baez collected the two hits for Peoria. Kernels bullpenner Kyle Bischoff earned the win with a pair of scoreless innings in relief.

Following an off day Monday, the Chiefs will resume their 12-game road trip in Beloit on Tuesday.