Kernels survive Peoria's trick defense
Kernels Manager Jake Mauer was a little surprised when the Peoria Chiefs used five infielders in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday, but he's seen tricks like that before.
His own family did it.
"My dad used to do that a lot," he said, relaxing in his office at Veterans Memorial Stadium. "But my dad used to put six infielders and play one outfielder. If you hit the ball to the outfield, you beat us."
The gambit almost worked Wednesday, but the Peoria first baseman committed a throwing error on a play at the plate and the Kernels collected a 6-5 victory over the Chiefs in 10 innings before a season-high crowd of 3,073 fans that included a lot of school kids.
The Kernels had runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the 10th with Nick Gordon striding to the plate in a 5-5 game. Peoria skipper Joe Kruzel pulled right fielder Nick Thompson into the infield and put him on the right side between the first baseman and the second baseman, creating less space for Gordon hit a single through the infield.
