Peoria, IL – Kolten Wong homered to conclude his rehab stint as the Peoria Chiefs defeated the Kane County Cougars 3-2 on Thursday night to earn their third straight series win, and their second victory in a row. The Chiefs improve to 26-33 overall and will start a four-game series against the Clinton LumberKings at Dozer Park on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch.
In the second inning Kane County got on the board first against Chiefs starter Jordan Hicks. Manny Jefferson led off with a single to left and with one out Alexis Olmeda singled to put a runner in scoring position. Billy Endris reached on a fielder’s choice and Hicks made a throwing error to the plate that allowed Jefferson to score and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Peoria tied the game in the third inning against Cougars starter Curtis Taylor. Kolten Wong hit a deep home run to right field with one out to tie the game, 1-1.
Kane County took the lead back in the fifth inning against Hicks. Anfernee Grier reached on an error to lead off the inning and moved to second when Marcus Wilson singled. Mark Karaviotis walked to load the bases, and with one out Jefferson hit a sacrifice fly that scored Grier to give the Cougars a 2-1 advantage.
Peoria tied the game in the bottom of the fifth against Taylor. Andy Young was hit by a pitch with two outs and Andrew Knizner doubled to right field to score Young from first base and tie the game, 2-2.
In the eighth, the Chiefs took their first lead of the game against Cougars reliever Tyler Mark. With one out, Ryan McCarvel doubled to right-center field. Vince Jackson was issued an intentional walk and Juan Yepez singled to left to load the bases. Dylan Carlson worked a four-pitch walk to score McCarvel and give the Chiefs a 3-2. Nick Plummer hit a line drive up the middle, but Mark caught it on the fly and doubled off Carlson at first to end the inning.
Hicks lasted six innings while allowing two runs and one earned on eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts in the no decision. Yeison Medina (2-0) earned a win and went two shutout innings while allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Brady Bowen earned his fourth save of the year after retiring the side in the ninth inning with two strikeouts.
Notes… Wong’s home run in the third was the first home run hit by a MLB rehab player since Henry Blanco hit one at Dozer Park on July 29, 2007… Wong’s homer was also the first hit of his rehab assignment… The Chiefs snapped a six-game homerless drought which is the longest of the year… McCarvel had his eighth multi-hit game of the season… Young had his third straight multi-hit game has his 17 this season…Peoria has been issued seven intentional walks this year… The Chiefs are 4-4 when tied entering the 8th inning… Tonight was Peoria’s 14th win when their opponent scores first… The Chiefs are 8-9 in one run games this season… Peoria has won their third straight series… Peoria is 2-2 at home in the rubber game of a three-game series and 3-5 overall… The Chiefs will start a four-game series against the Clinton LumberKings on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch at Dozer Park… There will be post-game fireworks presented by CEFCU… Friday begins Championship Weekend with a 2002 Replica Championship Ring giveaway to the first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and up) presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods… Dueling Pianos will also make an appearance…The Chiefs send LH Ian Oxnevad (0-6, 4.24) to the mound against Clinton RH Brandon Miller (6-3, 3.72)… The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 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.
