Four-run eighth backs Van Dyke’s 11-strikeout night

Ty Van Dyke struck out a Chiefs’ season-high 11 batters before Peoria erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to rally past West Michigan, 5-4, Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark.

With the win, the Chiefs improved to 26-29 in the second half and 11-14 in one-run games.

In the third, Van Dyke walked the bases loaded before Stephen Hrustich scored on a passed ball by catcher Cade McGee to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. Van Dyke then hit the next batter before recording back-to-back strikeouts to escape further damage.

Outside of the third, Van Dyke was dominant. His 11 strikeouts were the most by a Chiefs pitcher this season as he allowed just one run on three hits and three walks over five innings.

West Michigan starter Ben Jacobs matched him, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven over five scoreless innings. It marked Jacobs’ third consecutive scoreless start.

Juanmi Vasquez replaced Jacobs in the sixth, and McGee greeted him with a leadoff solo home run to tie the game at one.

In the seventh, West Michigan’s ninth-place hitter Carson Rucker launched a solo shot to right-center off Rubén Menes to put the Whitecaps back in front, 2-1.

The Chiefs surged ahead in the eighth when Anyelo Encarnación lined a two-run single up the middle to give Peoria its first lead of the night, 3-2.

On the very next pitch, Andrew Williamson rocketed a two-run homer to right-center to extend the Chiefs’ lead to 5-2.

In the eighth, the Whitecaps cut the deficit to 5-3 when a run scored on Menes’ wild pitch following a pair of singles.

Trey Pooser came on in the ninth and allowed a one-out solo home run to Rucker, his second of the night, to make it 5-4. Pooser retired the next two batters to secure the victory.

The Chiefs have a chance to win their third straight over the Whitecaps on Thursday at 5:35 p.m. CT. Fans can listen to the hometown call on PeoriaChiefs.com.