By WJBC Staff
Bowling Green, KY – The Peoria Chiefs scored three early runs and lefty Ian McKinney threw seven shutout innings in a 4-1 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods Friday night. The win moves the Chiefs to 31-16 in the second half and 64-51 overall while the magic number for a playoff spot is lowered to 13.
The Chiefs got on the board in the second inning against Hot Rods All-Star Chris Pike. With runners on the corners and one out, Jake Gronsky hit a hard smash on the left-side of the infield that wasn’t handled cleanly. The Hot Rods recovered in time to get an out at second but Harrison Bader scored for a 1-0 lead.
The Chiefs added on in the third against Pike. Oscar Mercado doubled with two outs and Paul DeJong walked. Mercado stole third and scored for a 2-0 lead when the throw went down the left-field line. Brian O’Keefe singled home DeJong for a 3-0 lead but was later thrown out at the plate following a double by Bader.
Chiefs lefty Ian McKinney cruised through seven innings allowing just two runners past first base. Riley Unroe singled with one out in the first and moved to second on a wild pitch before being stranded. McKinney gave up singles in the fourth and fifth before Coty Blanchard doubled with two outs in the seventh. McKinney stranded Blanchard as he retired Mac James on a line drive to third as his final batter faced.
Peoria added on in the seventh against reliever Edwin Fierro. Kenny Peoples-Walls singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Mercado singled him home for a 4-0 lead. Bowling Green avoided the shutout in the ninth when Blanchard doubled home Bralin Jackson with two outs.
McKinney (1-0) allowed four hits and one walk over seven shutout innings while striking out four in the win. Nick Lomascolo walked one in one hitless and scoreless inning. Kyle Grana allowed one run on two hits over one inning while striking out two.
