Chiefs chop down LumberKings

WMBD/WYZZ-TV STAFF- Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs extended their home winning streak to eight with the 6-4 Friday night win over the Clinton LumberKings, in the opening game of the three-game series.  The Chiefs comeback win puts them back at .500 at 34-34 heading into Saturday night's contest.

The LumberKings used the long ball to grab a second inning lead.  Ramon Morla led things off with a solo shot to left making the score 1-0 off Starling Peralta.  Daniel Paolini followed with a walk and after a fly out, Dillon Hazlett added to the score with a two run blast to left, giving Clinton a 3-0 lead.

The Chiefs answered in the bottom of the fifth off Jeremy Dobbs.  Oliver Zapata walked to start off the inning and Zeke DeVoss laid down a bunt towards third for a base hit.  Dobbs fielded the bunt and threw it into foul territory allowing both runners to get into scoring position.  Pin-Chieh Chen got the Chiefs on the board with a line drive single to left which scored Zapata.  Dustin Geiger continued his hot hitting and drove home DeVoss with a single of his own.  Peoria knotted the score at three when Paul Hoilman drove a double down the left-field line scoring Chen.  Dobbs spiked a 1-0 pitch in the dirt to score Geiger and give the Chiefs a 4-3 lead.  In the middle of Wes Darvill's at bat, Dobbs was removed with an injury and David Colvin came in to walk Darvill.  Yasiel Balaguert hit a weak ground ball down the third base line to bring in Hoilman, extending the Chiefs lead to 5-3.  The inning ended when Sergio Burruel grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Clinton rallied in the sixth after a leadoff triple by Moria to centerfield.  Peralta retired Paolini which finished his night and he gave way to Sheldon McDonald.  Pimentel drove a double into the right-center gap to score Moria to make the score 5-4.  McDonald got through the rest of the inning to hold the Chiefs lead.