Chiefs erase five-run deficit for Sunday victory

Behind 15 hits and five multi-hit performances, the Chiefs came back from down five to beat the River Bandits 9-8 in Sunday’s series finale at Dozer Park.

Peoria lost the series four games to two but improved to 21-20 in the second half.

Quad Cities notched the first run of the game with an RBI single from Hyungchan Um in the second inning, scoring Derlin Figueroa after his leadoff walk to make it 1-0.

Cade McGee hit a one-out triple in the bottom of the second and scored on José Suárez’s RBI double to tie the game at one.

In the third, Zion Rose and Blake Mitchell walked before a wild pitch moved both into scoring position. Chris Brito drove them in with a two-run single to put the River Bandits back in front, 3-1.

Michael Dattalo brought in a run in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Quad Cities starter Jordan Woods tossed three innings, allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two.

Trey Pooser replaced Peoria starter Jacob Odle after he allowed two singles to begin the fourth. Odle was charged with five runs on four hits, walking four and striking out three.

Stone Russell laced an RBI double and Erick Torres crushed a three-run homer to left, capping a four-run fourth and giving Quad Cities a 7-2 advantage.

The Chiefs immediately answered with three runs on four hits to begin the bottom of the fourth. Ian Petrutz doubled in two and Brayden Smith added an RBI two-bagger to make it 7-5.

In the seventh, Quad Cities extended its lead to 8-5 on Figueroa’s leadoff solo homer.

Peoria loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh before Alex Birge singled in a run on an infield hit down the third-base line, trimming the deficit to 8-6. Petrutz struck out to leave the bases loaded.

The Chiefs completed the comeback with three runs in the eighth. Smith reached second after striking out when Um’s throw to first hit him and deflected into the outfield. Tristan Bissetta brought him in with an RBI single before Yordalin Peña doubled down the left-field line to tie the game at eight.

Dattalo then lined out to left, where Royals No. 6 overall pick Zion Rose made a diving catch. Peña tagged and scored on the sac fly to give the Chiefs a 9-8 lead heading into the ninth inning.

Nelfy Ynfante earned the save despite allowing two singles that put runners on the corners with two outs in the ninth.

The Chiefs start their six-game set with the Beloit Sky Carp on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. for the second series of the two-week homestand.

Tickets are available for all games on PeoriaChiefs.com or at the Dozer Park box office.

Fans can watch the game on MiLB.TV and the Bally Sports Live app or listen here.