Thanks, Nathan! Chiefs Blow 6-Run Lead; Lose at Beloit 9-8 Yepez tosses six solid innings in no-decision Beloit, WI – The Peoria Chiefs held an 8-2 lead but the bullpen allowed seven runs in the 7th as the Beloit Snappers stormed back for a 9-8 win Thursday afternoon. With the loss the Chiefs fall to 5-9 on the season, 4-7 on the road. The Chiefs were able to take advantage of a Snappers error in the 2nd inning to grab an early lead. With two outs, Robinson Chirinos doubled to the left-center gap. Jake Muyco lifted a flyball down the right field line that was dropped by Dwayne White allowing Chirinos to score the game’s first run. After a single by Matt Ciaramella, Snappers starter Ryan Mullins got Davy Gregg to bounce out to end the frame. In the 3rd, Chiefs starter Jesus Yepez gave up a leadoff double to Steve Tolleson before recording two quick outs. Erik Lis, who has hit the Chiefs hard all week, gave the Snappers a 2-1 lead with a homer run just over the right field wall. Peoria rallied from behind in the top of the 4th with their most productive inning thus far in 2006. with one out, Robinson Chirinos and Jake Muyco both walked and then pulled off a double steal. Chirinos came home on a wild pitch to tie the game and Matt Ciaramella’s RBI fielders choice gave the Chiefs a 3-2 lead. After a single by Gregg and a groundout, Jesus Valdez singled up the middle to score two for a 5-2 Peoria lead. Ryan Norwood capped the five run inning with a RBI single to left for a 6-2 advantage. In the 5th inning the Chiefs added to their lead against reliever Danny Vais. Alberto Garcia led off with an infield single and advanced to third on the second double of the day by Chirinos. Muyco put the Chiefs on top 7-2 with a RBI groundout and Gregg’s infield single scored Chirinos for an 8-2 lead. The Chiefs imploded in the 7th inning as Beloit slammed the Chiefs bullpen for seven runs. Roberto Sotolongo relieved Yepez and gave up three consecutive singles and a three run homer to Steve Tolleson as Beloit cut the lead to 8-6. Justin Rayborn relieved Sotolongo and allowed a single to Dwayne White before walking Erik Lis with one out. Caleb Moore bounced into a fielders choice but White scored when Chirinos’ throw to first was wild. With two down, Ed Ovalle slammed his first homer of the seascon to cap the seven run innings and give the Snappers a 9-8 lead. Yepez pitched well enough to win but the bullpen couldn’t close it out to get the left-hander the victory. Over six innings of work he allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out two. Sotolongo didn’t record an out while allowing four hits and four runs. Rayborn (0-1) takes the loss giving up three runs over two innings on two hits while striking out one. Pepsi Player of the Game Davy Gregg (CF) – The Chiefs leadoff batter collected his first four hit game of the season and third of his career. He singled in the 1st, 4th and 5th before doubling in the 7th. Gregg also scored a run and drove home a run. Notes… The 4th innings marked the first time all season the Chiefs batted around in an inning…Brandon Taylor was replaced at third base in the 6th inning marking the first inning he has not played this season after 123 consecutive innings…The Chiefs now return home for a four game series against the Burlington Bees…RHP Mitch Atkins (0-0) will start the opener Friday at 6:30 PM against RHP Chris Nicoll (0-0)…Fans will receive 2006-07 Peoria Chiefs Calendars on Friday and Saturday…Friday is also Elvis Night at O’Brien Field…The broadcast begins with the pre-game show on http://www.peoriachiefs.com at 6:15 PM.