
By WJBC Staff
PEORIA – The Peoria Chiefs defeated the Clinton LumberKings 11-3 in game one of a three game series Monday night at Dozer Park. The victory improves the Chiefs to 6-5 on the season, with six games left on the homestand.
Trailing 1-0 the Chiefs bats came alive in the fifth inning against Clinton starter Lukas Schiraldi. Jose Godoy led of with a walk, Craig Aikin drew a one out walk and with two outs, Casey Turgeon walked to load the bases. Edmundo Sosa who had not hit with runners in scoring positon and two outs all season, delivered a two-RBI single into right field, scoring Godoy and Aikin for a 2-1 lead. Turgeon scored from third on a wild pitch to push the lead to 3-1.
The Chiefs continued their strong hitting in the sixth as they sent eight hitters to the plate. With one out RJ Dennard walked and ended the night for Schiraldi. Nick Kiel came out of the bullpen and Godoy singled before Leobaldo Pina delivered a two-RBI double to left. Aikin singled moving Pina to third and a Thomas Spitz sac fly made it 6-1. Turgeon singled home Aikin for a 7-1 lead before Clinton got out of the inning.
Peoria added their final runs of the game in the eighth inning against Spencer Herrmann and Matt Walker. With one out Turgeon walked and with two outs a triple by Magnueris Sierra gave the Chiefs an 8-1 lead. Sierra scored on a double by Brian O’Keefe before a walk and single loaded the bases. Pina walked against Walker for a 10-1 lead and Dennard scored on an error for an 11-1 Chiefs lead. Clinton scored two runs in the ninth to finish off the final score.
Chiefs starter Brennan Leitao (1-1) earned the win in his second start of the season. He threw a career-high seven innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven. Steve Gallardo threw a shutout inning as he struck out one. Landon Beck allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits in the ninth as he struck out two.