LANSING, Mich. – The Peoria Chiefs lost a four-run lead in the sixth but scored five runs in the top of the ninth to end a four-game losing streak and beat the Lansing Lugnuts 10-5 Sunday afternoon. The win moves the Chiefs to 27-30 on the season with one game left on the roadtrip.
The Chiefs got to work early against Lansing starter Jesus Tinoco. Darren Seferina pulled the first pitch of the game into the right-field corner for a standup double. With one out in the first, Danny Diekroeger singled to left field to drive in Seferina for a 1-0 Chiefs lead.
Peoria starter Daniel Poncedeleon pitched out of trouble in the first inning with a pickoff at first base and two Lugnuts left on base. The Chiefs added to their lead in the third inning as the top of the order came through again. Seferina singled to right-center with one out and sped around the bases for a 2-0 lead as Diekroeger doubled to the wall in left-center.
Lansing got on the board in the bottom of the third against Poncedeleon. Michael De La Cruz walked and with one out Richard Urena double to the wall in left to cut the Chiefs lead to 2-1. Urena, who was 4-for-4 with three extra-base hit and three RBI Friday, picked up his 40th RBI of the season as De La Cruz scored.
Both teams scored in the fifth inning as the Chiefs extended their lead. Andrew Sohn led off with a single to left and he stole second before Seferina walked. Oscar Mercado singled to left but Seferina was thrown out diving back into second for the first out of the inning. Mercado stole second and Diekroeger’s third hit of the game scored two runs to give the Chiefs a 4-1 lead. Diekroeger stole second and scored on a double by Blake Drake as the Chiefs went on top 5-1 before Tinoco got out of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning De La Cruz lined a double off the wall in right-field and Alford reached on an infield single. De La Cruz scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Urena to cut the Chiefs lead to 5-2. With one out and two on, Poncedeleon induced a double play ball to shortstop to end the inning.
Former Bradley University star Jason Leblebijian led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to center to cut the Chiefs lead to 5-3. Tim Locastro beat out a bunt single and Josh Almonte singled to put the tying run on base. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up a base and De La Cruz walked to load the bases. Alford reached on an infield single to shortstop as Locastro scored to cut the Chiefs lead to 5-4 and Blake McKnight took over on the mound for Poncedeleon. Urena’s third RBI of the game and sixth of the series tied the game on a groundout before McKnight got a strikeout to end the inning.
The game stayed tied until the ninth. Seferina led off with a double to center, his fourth hit of the game, off lefty Colton Turner. Mercado beat out a sacrifice bunt to third and when Gunner Heidt’s throw to first sailed down the right-field line, Seferina scored from second for a 6-5 Chiefs lead. With Mercado at second on the error, Diekroeger laid down a sacrifice bunt and was safe on a high throw by Turner. Mercado scored on a wild pitch for a 7-5 Chiefs lead as Diekroeger moved to second with nobody out. Nick Thompson drew a walk and Anthony Case came out of the bullpen to get a strikeout. Alex DeLeon unloaded on a mammoth three-run home run that hit the Lugnuts apartment building under construction in left-center field. DeLeon’s fourth homer of the season, and second of the series, put the Chiefs up 10-5.
Poncedeleon allowed a career-high five earned runs on a career-high 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. The All-Star walked three and struck out three in the no-decision as his ERA rose from 1.51 to 2.14. McKnight threw 2 2/3 shutout innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Robby Rowland threw a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout.
