Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3-0 Thursday night to record their first shutout of the season. With the win the Chiefs improve to 7-7 and play the Timber Rattlers in game two of the four game series Friday night at 6:30.
The Chiefs got out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first when the Chiefs starter Sandy Alcantara showed why Baseball America ranks him as one the top prospects in the Cardinals organization. Alcantara struck out Timber Rattlers designated hitter Mitch Ghelfi on a 96 mile-per-hour fastball to keep the game scoreless.
With a 17-minute rain delay before the first pitch, the late start did not effect the Chiefs offense as they jumped all over Timber Rattlers starter Miguel Diaz. With one out Chiefs shortstop Edmundo Sosa singled to center to extend his streak to 10 games. Magneuris Sierra singled and Orlando Olivera singled to center to score Sosa. Rattlers center fielder Monte Harrison booted the ball allowing Sierra to score for a 2-0 lead. RJ Dennard singled to left to score Olivera and give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead.
The Rattlers left the bases loaded in the second and fourth as Alcantara continued to work out of trouble. Alcantara (2-0) earned the win allowing four hits over six shutout innings while walking five and striking out eight. Steven Gallardo took over in the seventh and threw three shutout innings to secure the save. He allowed two hits and struck out four without issuing a walk.
Notes: The Chiefs recorded their first shutout of the season…Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak and Director of Player Development Gary LaRoque were in attendance…Sosa extended his hit streak to 10 games with a one-out single to center in the top of the first…The Chiefs scored runs in the first inning for the first time in seven games….Gallardo picked up the first save of his career…Starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in all 14 games…The Chiefs pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts…Olivera, who joined the team Wednesday and had a pinch-hit appearance, picked up his first hit and first RBI in his first start…The homestand continues as the Chiefs play game two of a four game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Friday night at 6:30…Fans can get a family four-pack (four field box tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four fountain sodas) for $40 at the Dozer Park Box Office…The Chiefs will start RH Ryan Helsley (0-1, 3.18) against Wisconsin LH Jake Drossner (0-3, 7.45)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:15 p.m., on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App.
