MiLB Pitcher of the Day: Tanner Franklin
THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day: Tanner Franklin Deals as Peoria Rolls
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur
Tanner Franklin gave Peoria exactly what it needed in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Franklin is the Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day after working 5.1 strong innings in the Chiefs’ 13-2 win over Cedar Rapids, helping Peoria finish off a doubleheader sweep and extend its winning streak to five games.
His final line:
5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
That is a winning start.
Franklin allowed five hits, but he did not walk a batter, and that is where the outing really stands out. He filled the strike zone, missed bats, and did not give Cedar Rapids free traffic. In a game where Peoria’s offense exploded, Franklin made sure the Kernels never had a real path back into it.
The Chiefs gave him support early and kept adding on. Peoria scored one in the first, three in the third, two in the fifth, two more in the sixth and five in the seventh. That was more than enough with Franklin controlling the game from the mound.
Tai Peete gave Peoria the offensive headline by hitting for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with a home run, triple, double, four RBIs, four runs scored, a walk and two stolen bases. Sammy Hernandez added three hits and three RBIs, while Jalin Flores drove in three more.
But Franklin’s start deserves its own spotlight.
He struck out seven over 5.1 innings and threw 59 of his 83 pitches for strikes. That is the type of efficiency and command that can carry a start. The only run charged to him came in the fourth inning, and by the time he left, Peoria had full control of the game.
Dominic Freeberger handled the final 1.2 innings, allowing one run while striking out two.
The win pushed Peoria back to 50-50 overall, and the Chiefs are now 18-16 in the second half. More importantly, they are playing their best baseball at the right time, with five straight wins and some real momentum building.
Saturday’s headline may belong to Peete’s cycle, and deservedly so.
But the pitching line belonged to Franklin.
No walks.
Seven strikeouts.
One earned run.
A doubleheader sweep.
That will work just fine.
Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day:
Tanner Franklin, RHP, Peoria Chiefs
Final Line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Tanner Franklin, Peoria Chiefs | MLB