The Peoria Chiefs almost mounted a comeback in the ninth inning, but fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 in game one of the Western Division Finals Saturday Night. The Chiefs will travel to Cedar Rapids for a must-win game two of the three-game series at 4:05 Sunday.
The Kernels struck in the first frame against Chiefs starter Matt Pearce. Rafael Valera led off the game with a walk, and with two outs T.J. White also drew a walk. LaMonte Wade put the Kernels on top 1-0 with a ground rule double to right-center.
The Chiefs responded immediately against Kernels starter Keaton Steele. Darren Seferina singled and Oscar Mercado was hit by a pitch. Seferina moved to third when Paul DeJong reached on a fielder’s choice and came home on a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader to tie the game at one.
Cedar Rapids took the lead in the seventh against Pearce. With one out, Chris Paul was hit by a pitch and Max Murphy drilled a home run over the left field wall to make it 3-1 Kernels.
The Chief srallied in the ninth against Kernels closer Nick Anderson, but ultimately fell short. Kenny Peoples-Walls led off with a triple and Seferina singled him home to make it 3-2. Mercado struck out looking and Seferina stole second to get into scoring position as DeJong struck out. With the tying run in scoring position Anderson struck out Harrison Bader to end the game.
Pearce (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five over six and a third innings of work. Tyler Bray struck out one in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Steve Sabatino struck out two over an inning and a third of hitless work. Jerry Then struck out one over two-thirds of an inning of relief.
