DES MOINES – Logan Smith tossed seven strong innings for Des Moines Tuesday at Memorial Park, and the Peak Prospects pulled away from Chillicothe for an 8-4 win, squeezing the Mudcats’ playoff chances further.
Smith racked up nine strikeouts without a walk, eclipsing his entire season total coming into the game Tuesday.
Smith was given ample run support too, but Chillicothe battled early. The Mudcats erased a three-run deficit in the fourth inning behind a game-tying RBI single from backup catcher Nathan Cupp.
In the fifth, Nick Prater scored for the Peak Prospects on a single from Diego Morales, one of his three hits on the night. That proved to be the game-winning knock.
Mudcat starter Will Loesch was charged with the loss, but he allowed just three earned runs across five innings, walking one and striking out two.
The only Mudcat to record multiple hits was Luis Ramirez, who finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk.
Chillicothe falls to 15-23 on the season, but with Carroll’s loss to Joplin, remains two-and-a-half games out of a playoff spot.
The Mudcats continue their road trip Wednesday when they travel to St. Joseph. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. C.T.
