Buffalo Bisons make it 6 in row

Buffalo Bisons (7-3)

The Buffalo Bisons picked up their 7th win on Sunday by scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th. Down 4-1 going in the last half inning and 2 out, CF EzequielCarrera and Andy Burns worked Colton Murray for a pair of walks. This put runners at 1st and 2nd for Matt Hague, who had already hit a double and walked earlier in the game. Hague singled to centrefield, scoring Carrera.

Another single hit by Chris Colabello and a walk to Andy Wilkins loaded the bases for Sean Ochinko, who was 0-for-4 in the game and had only see action 3 times in Buffalo’s first 9 games. Ockinko sent a line drive into left field scoring Matt Hague and Chris Colabello.

Final score 5-4, Bisons.

The Bisons have shown excellent patience throughout their 4-game sweep of Lehigh Valley. The Herd drew 9 in Sunday’s victory, 7 on Saturday, 3 on Thursday and Firday, good for 22 total walks.

Not to be overshadowed, the pitching staff held the IronPigs to 7 runs in 4 games. Sunday marked the first time in 5 games that the Herd’s pitching staff had allowed more than a single run since a 9-6 defeat to Pawtucket on April 14th.

Just how impressive have the Bisons starters been two times through?

Jeff Francis

Scott Copeland

Andrew Albers

Randy Wolf

Chad Jenkins

Jeff Francis was called up to Toronto early Sunday, which means the Bisons will have a new addition to their starting rotation or bullpen. Personally I`d like to see Matt Boyd, 0-1  0.00ERA in two starts, get called up. It is more likely one of the Fisher Cat`s veterans get called up to Buffalo, but as luck would have it Matt Boyd last started on the 15th; therefore, his next start would land on Tuesday…..fingers crossed.

DISCLAIMER ALERT!!!!

True baseball fans understand a few things about baseball and Triple-A. First, there`s that thing about small sizes. Second, there`s that thing about it being early in the season. Lastly, Triple-A is the Major Leagues….so don`t start calling for Randy Wolf`s promotion and Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez to get demoted. (Although seeing 27-year-old Scott Copeland get a chance to pitch in Toronto would be pretty great.)

INF Andy Burns has made the most of his opportunity since taking over Ryan Goins` roster spot before the weekend. In his first game he went 4-for-4 with a double and a run. He followed that up with an 0-for-4 game on Saturday, with a strike out. Batting in the 2-hole on Sunday, Burns was 0-for-4 with a run scored, a walk and strike out. In the field Andy has played one game (his first) at 2nd and two at 3rd with no errors. Keep up the good work.

In the bull pen, Rob Rasmussen, Steve Delabar, Gregory Infante, Ryan Tepera, and Preston Guilmet have surrendered 3 runs among them, with Rasmussen and Delabar still sporting 0.00 ERA`s.

Next Game:

Buffalo Andrew Albers vs Pawtucket`s Brian Johnson

New Hampshire TBD vs Trenton`s Brady Lail

Dunedin TBD vs Daytona Nick Travieso

Lansing Chase Dejong (0-0, 1.86ERA) vs Dayton Tyler Mahle

Scores from Around the System…over the weekend

Friday, April 17th

Buffalo- W 5-1

New Hampshire L 3-4

Dunedin L 0-4

Lugnuts L 4-5

Saturday, April 18th

Buffalo W 2-1

New Hampshire L 1-5

Dunedin W 4-2

Lugnuts L 3-9

Sunday, April 19th

New Hampshire L 1-4

Dunedin L 3-2

Lugnuts W 4-0

Overall, the system was 5-7 over the weekend.