Peña goes deep twice as Chiefs fall in season finale
Despite a pair of solo home runs from Yordalin Peña, the Chiefs surrendered the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and stranded the tying run in scoring position in the ninth, falling 3-2 to the Quad Cities River Bandits in Sunday’s 2026 season finale at Dozer Park. With the loss,
Despite a pair of solo home runs from Yordalin Peña, the Chiefs surrendered the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and stranded the tying run in scoring position in the ninth, falling 3-2 to the Quad Cities River Bandits in Sunday’s 2026 season finale at Dozer Park.
With the loss, the Chiefs finished the second half with a 31-34 record and closed the 2026 season at 63-68 overall.
Quad Cities played small ball to take a first-inning lead. Nolan Sailors beat out an infield single, stole second and third, then scored on a throwing error by catcher Sammy Hernandez. Blake Mitchell added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 River Bandits.
Peña single-handedly brought the Chiefs back with leadoff solo home runs in the third and fifth innings, tying the game 2-2.
Quad Cities starter Blake Wolters surrendered the two homers, allowing two runs on five hits while he walked one and struck out one.
Peoria starter Cade Crossland went six innings with two runs, one earned, on five hits while he walked two and struck out four.
In the top of the eighth, Dylan Driessen struck out the first two batters before Asbel Gonzalez singled. Driessen committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt to first base, ultimately putting Gonzalez on third.
Blake Mitchell beat the defense with an opposite-field RBI single on the ground to score the go-ahead run and make it 3-2 Quad Cities.
The Chiefs were held scoreless over the final four innings and stranded the tying run, Tristan Bissetta, at second after his one-out ninth inning double.
Quad Cities' season continues Tuesday when the River Bandits open a best-of-three West Division playoff series against South Bend. Great Lakes and Dayton square off in the East Division series.
While the 2026 campaign has come to an end, events at Dozer Park continue this offseason. Beginning November 12, the ballpark will transform into a winter wonderland for the first-ever Holiday Lights at the Ballpark.
Running through January 2, the walk-through holiday experience will feature more than one million lights, shows synchronized to music, immersive displays and fun throughout Dozer Park.
Follow the Peoria Chiefs on social media and visit PeoriaChiefs.com for Holiday Lights schedules and ticket information, offseason coverage and updates on 2027 season tickets.