Peoria built an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and two more in the second to jump ahead, 4-0. The Chiefs drew five walks over the first two innings, including four by hitters who eventually came around to score.
Peoria scored five more runs in the seventh inning to take a 9-0 lead.The Dragons avoided the shutout when Austin Hendrick delivered a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to close out the scoring.
Dragons starting pitcher Steve Hajjar (0-1), in his first appearance in the Reds organization after being acquired as part of the trade that sent Tyler Mahle to the Minnesota Twins, struggled to throw strikes in his first two innings. Hajjar walked three straight hitters with one out in the first before allowing a two-run single. In the second, he walked two more hitters before permitting another two-run single. Hajjar retired all three batters he faced in the third, including two on strikeouts. Hajjar tossed three innings, allowing two hits and four runs with five walks and three strikeouts.
Justice Thompson had two hits for the Dragons.
TUESDAY’S GAME
Lansing at Dayton, 7:05 p.m., 980
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