Wolters fans 11 as River Bandits blank Chiefs
Urbana native Blake Wolters struck out a career-high 11 as the River Bandits limited the Chiefs to two hits in Peoria’s 7-0 loss Thursday night at Dozer Park. The Chiefs were shut out for the third time this season and the second time at Dozer Park. All three shutout losses
Urbana native Blake Wolters struck out a career-high 11 as the River Bandits limited the Chiefs to two hits in Peoria’s 7-0 loss Thursday night at Dozer Park.
The Chiefs were shut out for the third time this season and the second time at Dozer Park. All three shutout losses have come in July and August.
Peoria has dropped three consecutive games after sweeping Cedar Rapids last week, evening its second-half record at 19-19.
In the second, Peoria starter Jack Martinez fielded a soft comebacker that should have resulted in an out at first, but his throwing error put Derlin Figueroa aboard. Jose Cerice followed with a walk. With two outs, Erick Torres drove in Figueroa before Angel Acosta doubled home Cerice to make it 2-0 River Bandits.
Quad Cities added one in the third on Erick Torres’ sacrifice fly to extend its lead to 3-0.
In the fifth, Martinez hit Nolan Sailors and walked Asbel Gonzalez before Chiefs manager Roberto Espinoza turned to reliever Trey Pooser.
Martinez gave up five runs, two earned, on four hits, walking two and striking out five.
Pooser walked Blake Mitchell to load the bases with nobody out. Chris Brito bounced out to bring in a run before Figueroa crushed a three-run homer to straightaway center off the bottom of the batter’s eye, making it 7-0 River Bandits.
Wolters struck out a career-high 11 batters and tied a career-long six innings, allowing no runs on two hits while walking none.
The back end of Peoria’s bullpen kept Quad Cities off the board. Zeke Wood tossed 1.1 scoreless innings before Nelfy Ynfante worked two empty frames.
Down 7-0 in the home ninth, the Chiefs went down 1-2-3 to end the game.
Game four of the six-game series is scheduled for Friday at 7:05 p.m.
The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a Chiefs stress ball. The Illinois Physical Therapy Association will be on hand to promote the benefits and importance of physical therapy. It’s also the perfect night to bring the whole family out to Dozer Park, where you can snag four tickets and two small pizza coupons to Firehouse Pizza & Pub for just $50. Stick around afterward for another fireworks show.
Tickets are available for purchase at 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.