Peoria, IL – In one of the craziest days in Dozer Park history, the Peoria Chiefs won both games of a double header despite getting no-hit in game two, a 1-0 win. With the win the Chiefs are just the fourth team in Midwest League history to win a game in which they got no-hit.
The Chiefs took the opener 3-2 in walk-off fashion on a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh, then scored without a hit in the bottom of the sixth inning in game two for the sweep. With the wins the Chiefs are now 11-10 in the second half and 51-40 overall with four games left on the homestand.
Sandy Alcantara was fantastic on the mound for the Chiefs in game one as he carried a shutout into the seventh and final inning. He struck out seven batters over the first six innings as the Chiefs scored two runs without a RBI. In the first inning Edmundo Sosa tripled to center and scored on a pitch in the dirt as Eli Alvarez struck out swinging. Two innings later, Magneuris Sierra doubled to right, moved to third on throwing error and scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 Chiefs lead.
The game was still 2-0 into the seventh as Alcantara went for the complete game shutout. But he issued a leadoff walk to JC Cardenas at the bottom of the order and Juan Tejada singled. Leadoff man John LaPrise sacrificed and Alcantara got the second out but lost the shutout as Cardenas scored on a groundout. A grounder to third could have ended the game but Becker threw wide to first base for an error as Tejada scored to end the game. Stephen De La Cruz came out of the bullpen and loaded the bases on a single and walk before getting a flyout to end the inning.
Carlos Torres started the bottom of the seventh with a single against reliever Andrew Case. Torres moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Craig Aikin. Sierra hit a grounder to short for an infield single and Torres scored the winning run on a throwing error by Cardenas as the Chiefs won 3-2. De La Cruz (4-1) picked up the win allowing one hit and one walk in 1/3 of a shutout inning. Alcantara allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits over 6 2/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
Game two was a shutout into the sixth as Peoria’s Jake Woodford allowed just two hits over four innings and reliever Gerwuins Velazco allowed one hit over two shutout innings. Lansing’s starter Jordan Romano did not give up a hit through five innings and the game was scoreless into the sixth.
Romano walked Aikin to start the sixth inning and left the game with an injury. Reliever Josh DeGraaf entered the game and committed an error on a sac bunt from Sierra give the Chiefs runners at first and second. Sierra was out at second on a fielders’ choice with Aikin advancing to third and Leo Pina safe at first base. Alvarez lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead despite the fact they still didn’t have a hit.
Tyler Bray entered the game in the ninth for the Chiefs and got a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts to earn his sixth save of the season. Velazco (2-1) earned the win with two shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit. Woodford took a no-decision after allowing just two hits and a walk over four shutout innings with three strikeouts.
Notes… This was just the fourth time in Midwest League a team was no-hit but won the game…The last time was in 2006 as Beloit beat SW Michigan 1-0 in seven innings with Wade Davis throwing the no-hitter…The last time the Chiefs were no-hit was in a 5-inning game at Cedar Rapids on July 12, 2010…The last time the Chiefs were no-hit at Dozer Park was August 7, 2008 by Danny Duffy and Juan Abreu 10-0 against Burlington…Alvarez leads the Chiefs with 45 RBI…Bray leads the Chiefs with six saves…Alcantara leads the MWL with 114 strikeouts which also leads all of Minor League Baseball…His 12.40 K/9 IP ratio also leads the MWL…Alcantara has seven quality starts which is tied for second on the Chiefs roster…The Chiefs are 7-1 at home on Thursday…This was the first double header at Dozer Park since June 27, 2015…The Chiefs are 7-5 in double header games this season with three sweeps
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
