Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs lost to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-1 in 11 innings on Sunday for a four-game series sweep. With the loss the Chiefs fall to 8-9 on the season heading into the first off day of the season.
The Chiefs fell behind in the top of the second when Timber Rattlers third baseman Jake Gatewood doubled to center off Chiefs starter Brennan Leitao and scored on a Luis Aviles single. Aviles was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double but Wisconsin had a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs first baseman RJ Dennard lined a single into right field off Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Jordan Yamamoto to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Jose Godoy doubled on a deep fly ball that got over the head of Wisconsin right fielder Elvis Rubio. Dennard scored all the way from first and tied the game at 1-1.
The Chiefs had a golden opportunity to win the game in the 10th against David Burkhalter. Dennard led off with a double that got over the head of a leaping Carlos Belonis in centerfield. Thomas Spitz pinch ran and moved to third on a flyout by Chinea. Wisconsin intentionally walked Godoy and Vaughn Bryan bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Wisconsin took advantage in the top of the 11th against Landon Beck. Mitch Ghelfi led off with a single and moved to third on a hit-and-run single by Max McDowell. Sasha Kuebel took over for Beck and Wisconsin took a 2-1 lead when David Denson singled to right. With one out, Jake Gatewood put Wisconsin up 4-1 with a double and he later scored on an error by Eli Alvarez for a 5-1 Rattlers lead. The Chiefs got a lead off walk in the bottom of the 11th but then the next three batters were retired to end the game.
Leitao pitched his longest outing of the year tossing a career-high eight innings and scattering six hits, allowing one run, striking out six while walking one. Chandler Hawkins allowed one hit over 2/3 of a shutout inning and struck out one. Tyler Bray also allowed one hit over 2/3 of a shutout inning. Beck (0-1) took the loss allowing two runs on two hits over 2/3 of an inning with one strikeout. Kuebel allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits over one inning.
Notes: Sosa extended his hit streak to 13 games on a single to center in the bottom of the first… Leitao pitched a career-high eight innings…Starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in all 17 games…Starting pitchers accounted for 45 innings in the seven games this homestand with a 1.60 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while striking out 49 batters and walking just 11…The Chiefs pitching staff combined has struck out 77 Timber Rattlers this season…The Chiefs are 0-2 in extra-inning games with both losses coming in this homestand…Dennard is tied for the league lead with eight doubles…Orlando Olivera picked up his first outfield assist…The Chiefs have Monday off before heading on the road for six game road-trip beginning with the Ft. Wayne TinCaps Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern time…The Chiefs will start RH Derian Gonzalez (0-0, 3.60) against Ft. Wayne TBA…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:50 p.m Eastern., 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.
