The Quad Cities River Bandits scored three first-inning runs but were held scoreless the rest of the way as the Peoria Chiefs, aided by a go-ahead, three-run home run from first baseman Ryan Cuneo, came from behind for a 5-3 Wednesday night victory to avoid being swept at home in the opening series of the Rivertown Showdown before 1,161 fans. The Chiefs were shut out for two innings by River Bandits left-hander Dail Villanueva (0-1), but they loaded the bases in the third inning with a walk, a double by Paul Hoilman and a hit batter. An error by David Medina and a groundout by catcher Taylor Davis then brought in the Chiefs’ first two runs. Michael Jensen retired 17 of the final 19 batters he faced to finish with five strikeouts in six innings pitched, and right-hander Yao-Lin Wang pitched two perfect innings following Jensen. Click Here for Game Stats.
-Bob
The Peoria Chiefs opened there 30th consecutive baseball campaign against the Quad City River Bandits before 3,273 fans at O’Brien Field. Quad Cities scored five runs in the top of the ninth as the Chiefs gave away the home opener 8-3. The loss spoiled two excellent outings by starter Benjamin Wells and reliever Kyler Burke. The Chiefs left 10 runners on base and went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Click here for the Box Score.
-Bob
Chicago Cubs hurler Randy Wells allowed just one earned run over 3 2/3 innings of rehab work, but suffered the loss as the Peoria Chiefs fell to the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-1 Tuesday night on two unearned runs in front of 1,390 fans. Both teams started major leaguers as Quad Cities started St. Louis Cardinals reliever Brian Tallet who struck out five of the six batters he faced. Peoria is now 20-18 this season and 11-6 at home. Quad Cities answered in the fourth with three runs in Wells’ final inning. With nobody out, Patrick Elkins ripped a two-run double into right field to give the River Bandits their first lead of the game. Yunior Castillo made it 3-1 with a line drive single to right that brought Chris Edmondson across home plate. Wells threw 48 pitches before he was replaced by Austin Kirk, who came in and got Peoria out of the inning.
-Bob
