The Peoria Chiefs got back-to-back intentional walks to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth before a Kenny Peoples-Walls walk-off base on balls gave them a 2-1 win in game one of the Midwest League Western Division semi-finals. The win, Peoria’s first in the post-season since 2006, gives the Chiefs a chance to advance to the Western Division finals with a win in Kane County Thursday night.
The Chiefs started the scoring in the first against Cougars starter Ethan Elias. Oscar Mercado singled up the middle and scored on a double by Harrison Bader to give the Chiefs the 1-0 lead.
The Cougars tied the game in the fifth against Chiefs starter Jack Flaherty. Dawel Lugo led off wth a single, advanced to second on a deep fly ball to center and moved to third on a groundout. Lugo scored on a single by Victor Reyes to tie the game 1-1.
The Chiefs won the game in the ninth against Cougars righty Ryan Burr. Brian O’Keefe led off with a double and was replaced by pinch runner Derek Gibson. Gibson advanced to third on a balk and Nick Thompson and Steve Bean were intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Peoples-Walls drew a full-count bases-loaded walk to score Gibson with the 2-1 win.
Flaherty took a no-decision in his first career playoff start, going seven innings and allowing one run on five hits, striking out six. Steve Sabatino pitched two thirds of an inning, retiring the only two batters he faced. Jery Then retired the only batter he faced. Kyle Grana (1-0) got the win, pitching a perfect ninth inning, striking out two.
