Chiefs Slide Safely with 4-3 Win
The bottom of the ninth rally for Peoria overcame a late Silver Hawks rally, as South Bend had scored in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 3-3. The loss was pinned on Bayron Zepeda (LP, 1-1), who allowed a two out single to Lake just ahead of the game winning hit by Brenly.
Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the ninth, the Silver Hawks rallied to tie the game against Erik Hamren (WP, 1-3). Brendan Duffy walked to start the inning, and went to second on a single by Reynaldo Navarro. Marte bounced into a double play, moving Duffy to third with two outs. Ramon Ramirez, pinch-hitting for Justin Parker who was ejected in the seventh arguing balls and strikes, came through with a single to center, tying the game at 3-3.
Two walks in the top of the first inning by Peoria starter Justin Bristow (ND) helped the Silver Hawks score the first run of the game. Reynaldo Navarro and Alfredo Marte each drew walks with one out. Justin Parker bounced into a fielder's choice, with Navarro being put out at third, but the throw across the infield got away, allowing Marte to take third base on the error. Alberto Diaz followed with an RBI single to left for the 1-0 lead.
Peoria scored single runs in each of the first three innings against South Bend starter Sean Morgan (ND). In the first, Josh Vitters lined a home run over the left field fence, with his solo shot tying the game at 1-1. An error allowed Lake to reach in the second, and another error brought him in for the 2-1 lead. In the third, Vitters picked up his 2nd RBI of the game with a single to left, scoring Josh Harrison from third for the 3-1 lead.
Morgan settled down and did not allow a run over his final three innings, turning in a personal high 6.0 inning outing. Morgan allowed seven hits and one walk, giving up three runs (two earned). Victor Capellan (ND) pitched two perfect innings of relief in his Silver Hawks debut.
South Bend got within one in the top of the seventh against reliever Kevin Kreier (ND). With one out, Duffy reached on an infield single and then stole second. With two down, Marte blooped a single to shallow center, scoring Duffy to make it a 3-2 game. That was the only run Kreier allowed, turning in 3.2 innings of long relief for the Chiefs.
The Silver Hawks and Chiefs wrap up the series with a Memorial Day holiday matinee beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. LHP Wade Miley (1-3, 3.92 ERA) will be on the mound for the Silver Hawks, with Peoria sending RHP Chris Carpenter (1-3, 2.97 ERA) to the bump. Pregame coverage begins at 12:40 PM Eastern Time on 1620 ESPN Radio and online at www.silverhawks.com.