Chiefs Score Eight Times in the First, Roll to 8-2 Win

Peoria, IL – The Chiefs scored eight times and sent 13 men to the plate in the first inning as they cruised to an 8-2 win Saturday in front of 3,025 fans at Dozer Park.

Peoria starting pitcher Edgar Manzo made his High-A debut Saturday and after working a clean top of the first, the Chiefs bats did the rest. After back-to-back singles from Mike Antico and Tyler Reichenborn, Osvaldo Tovalin delivered. Tovalin, who made his first-career High-A start, smashed a three-run homer over the fence in right center to make it 3-0 Peoria. Tovalin ultimately reached three times in his first Chiefs start.

Later in the frame, the Chiefs put runners at second and third with two outs for Ramon Mendoza. The shortstop lifted a fly ball to right, but a misplay by West Michigan’s Ben Malgeri allowed both runs to score to make it 5-0. Then, after a Noah Mendlinger walk, Antico dug in for the second time in the inning. When a wild pitch put runners at second and third, Antico singled to right to bring home two more Chiefs runs. With the lead 7-0, Reichenborn singled Antico over to third, who later scored on a second wild pitch, putting a bow on an 8-0 Peoria lead.

The Whitecaps plugged away against Manzo as they scratched a run in the third on a sac fly. In the fourth, Josh Crouch hit a solo homer to left to make it 8-2.

After collecting seven hits in the first inning, Peoria collected just one more knock the rest of the way. Reliever Michael YaSenka made sure that it didn’t matter. The right-hander entered in the fifth inning and cruised the rest of the way. He allowed just one hit over five innings and punched out five. YaSenka retired the final 12 batters he faced as he earned his first win of the year.

The series finale is set for tomorrow on Father’s Day. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. Fans will be invited to play catch on the field postgame.