Chiefs Win Fourth in a Row, Sixth Straight Against Loons

Midland, MI - The Chiefs scored the final six runs of the contest Tuesday in a 7-1 win over the Great Lakes Loons. Peoria secured their sixth consecutive victory over the Dodgers High-A affiliate in the process. As part of their four-game winning streak, the Chiefs have now outscored their opponents 31-8.

After the teams traded a 1-2-3 first inning, the Chiefs stole a run in the second inning. After Tyler Reichenborn worked a walk, he advanced to second on a wild pick-off attempt. Later in the inning, Great Lakes pitcher Emmet Sheehan fired a second wild throw into right center. Reichenborn motored all the way home from second to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.

From there, Peoria starter Inohan Paniagua cruised through three innings and was perfect the first time through the Great Lakes order. In the fourth, the Loons broke through. Jorbit Vivas tripled to begin the inning and break up the perfect game. The next batter, Diego Cartaya, lifted a sac fly to right to tie the game, 1-1.

The Loons had their chances to take the lead in the middle innings but came up empty in consecutive frames. In the fifth, Great Lakes had runners on the corners with just one out when Paniagua got Harold Restituyo to ground into a double play to end the frame.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Loons collected three softly-hit singles and this time loaded the bases with one out. With Nick Trogrlic-Iverson warming in the bullpen, Peoria skipper Patrick Anderson walked to the mound to have a discussion with the entire Chiefs infield. The manager opted to leave Paniagua in the contest and was rewarded. Great Lakes clean-up batter Jose Ramos smashed a liner towards third where Jacob Buchberger made a diving catch. He quickly pounced to his feet and stepped on third to double off the runner and kept the game tied.

From there, the Chiefs pulled away against the Great Lakes bullpen. Ramon Mendoza led off the top of the Peoria seventh by working a walk. The next batter, Wade Stauss, pushed a bunt towards third. Luis Diaz barehanded the ball and uncorked a wild throw into the Loons ‘pen. Mendoza scored all the way from first to give the Chiefs a 2-1 cushion. After a Patrick Romeri single, a Mack Chambers bunt put runners at second and third for Todd Lott. The hot-hitting Lott singled into center to score a pair and give the Chiefs a 4-1 lead.

In the eighth, Peoria sent nine more batters to the plate and scored three times. Stauss, this time swinging away, singled into right to make it 5-1. Later in the inning, Lott drove in yet another run to push the lead to 6-1. A wild pitch allowed a third Chiefs run to score and create the 7-1 margin.

The aforementioned Trogrlic-Iverson finally entered in the seventh and dispatched all nine Great Lakes batters he faced to earn his third save of the season.

The series continues Wednesday from Dow Diamond. Wilfredo Pereira will take the bump for the Chiefs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 EST/6:05 CST.