APPLETON, WI – Jawilme Ramírez struck out five in 2.2 relief innings and Dominic Freeberger followed with two shutout frames to lead the Chiefs to their first extra innings win of the season, 7-5 over Wisconsin in 10 innings on Friday at Neuroscience Group Field.
With the win, the Chiefs avoid a three-game losing streak and improve to 23-26 on the season.
Wisconsin rallied in the bottom of the first inning, using four hits to score three runs against Chiefs starter Leonel Sequera.
Sammy Hernandez brought the Chiefs back within one in the top of the second, as he blasted a two-run home run - his second longball of the week - to left field to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Timber Rattlers snatched one of those runs back in the bottom of the third with a solo home run from Eric Bitonti, pushing the deficit back to 4-2.
The Chiefs used another home run to get back within one in the fifth, as Luis Pino pumped a solo shot over the giant slide beyond the left field wall, making it 4-3. Wisconsin quickly boosted the lead to two again in the bottom of the inning, though, using a double from Josiah Ragsdale then an RBI single from Daniel Dickenson.
Peoria finally drew even in the top of the sixth. Cameron Nickens opened the inning with a single and Jalin Flores followed with a bloop double to right, setting up runners on second and third base with no outs. Nickens scored on a wild pitch, then Tre Richardson III tied the game at five with a sacrifice fly to shallow right.
Ramírez took the ball with one out in the bottom of the sixth and walked the first batter he faced. He then retired the next eight T-Rats, striking out five of them, to keep the contest deadlocked through eight.
Freeberger started the bottom of the ninth for Peoria with a walk, putting the potential winning run on base for Wisconsin. He struck out the next two batters and then induced a groundout to strand Tayden Hall on second, sending the game to extras.
In the top of the 10th, Jesús Báez dropped a pop-up double onto the right field line, positioning two runners in scoring position to open the inning. Nickens gave Peoria their first lead of the game with a sacrifice fly, scoring Christian Martin from third base. Báez then scored on a ground ball to first base, sliding into the plate after a low throw from Bitonti, pushing the lead to 7-5.
In the bottom of the inning, Freeberger stranded runners on second and third base, striking out Luis Castillo to end the game and earn the win.
The Chiefs could clinch a series win with a victory on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm. Fans can tune into the hometown broadcast online at PeoriaChiefs.com.
The Chiefs return home on Tuesday to begin a six-game homestand against Beloit. Tickets are available at PeoriaChiefs.com.