Peoria, IL – The Peoria Chiefs could not overcome a seven-run top of the first inning by the Burlington Bees in a 9-3 loss in the home opener at Dozer Park. The Chiefs (1-1) drop their first game of the season while the Bees pick up their first victory heading into Sunday’s series finale.
The Bees scored seven runs in the top of the first. Chiefs starting pitcher Johan Oviedo walked the first five batters of the game as the Bees took a 2-0 lead. Oviedo struck out Spencer Griffin for the first out before leaving the game at 32 pitches. Kevin Hamann was called upon in relief and walked Franklin Torres with the bases loaded, scoring another run. The next batter was Julio Garcia who rolled a two-run single to right field putting the Bees up 5-0. Burlington wasn’t done in the first, as the Bees executed a double steal with Garcia swiping second then the throw home was not in time as Torres scored. The Bees scored their seventh and final run of the first inning on an RBI single to right field by leadoff hitter Leonardo Rivas.
Peoria answered in the bottom of the second inning when Nick Plummer’s pop-up fell down on the left side of infield scoring Bryce Denton, who led off with a single. Already with a 7-1 lead, the Bees added on in the top of the third on a two-run triple by Jo Adell.
The Chiefs didn’t score again until the bottom of the eighth inning. With Kida De La Cruz on the mound, Denton drew a lead-off walk. He moved to second on a single by Taylor Byrant and both runners moved up with one out on a wild pitch. Denton scored on a passed ball to cut the Bees lead to 9-2.
In the ninth the Chiefs scored again off De La Cruz. With one out, Juan Yepez walked and stole second. Yariel Gonzalez singled to put runners on the corners and Yepez scored the game’s final run on a wild pitch.
Oviedo (0-1) pitched 2/3 of an inning, surrendering five earned runs with five walks and a strikeout though he did not allow a hit. Hamann allowed four runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Bryan Dobzanski also tossed 2 1/3 innings and didn’t allow any runs on two hits while striking out two batters. John Kilichowski struck out five batters over three innings and only allowing one hit and a walk. Cory Malcom pitched the final inning for the Chiefs, striking out two and walking one.
