[Previous entry: "Phillies Journal - 2007"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Phillies Journal - 2007"]
05/08/2007 Archived Entry: "AAA NEWS: Buffalo Bisons Update"
Minor League Baseball: International League update on the Buffalo Bisons by Trent Harrison
Well this welcomed spring thaw has led to some very impressive bursts of offense, and excitement, from the Buffalo Bisons at the beginning of their eight-game home stand. The Bisons have now recorded a very unusual three game come from behind win streak( I wasn't sure where to throw a hyphen in that particular mix, so...), unusual in the fact that one of those game started April 23.
The most impressive of these three wins came as a completion to a contest that got rained (yeah, that was rain all right) out with Pawtucket. This game has been resumed on the May 5th in the seventh inning with Pawtucket up 8-6.By the bottom of the ninth, it was 14-6 and Buffalo had just used second baseman Trent Durrington to get the final out in a spot relief appearance. However, Buffalo exploded for eight runs, and they loaded the bases to get the final run across with a base on balls to end the game. The Bisons ended the series with Pawtucket the next day by turning a 3-2 seveth inning Pawtucket lead into a 5-3 Buffalo victory, sealed when Shin-Soo Choo, who was sent back to Buffalo after a impressive cup of coffee in Cleveland, belted a two-run jack in the eight to break the tie and get the win for the Herd. Last night, it was Andy Marte's turn to be the hero. Yes, that Andy Marte, the hot third base prospect Cleveland gushed over enough to let Kevin Kousemanoff go over the off-season. Marte is down in Buffalo rehabbing a hamstring injury and was only supposed to play six innings, yet used his final at bat two crank a two run homerun to cap off a four run sixth inning on the way to a 4-2 win over Columbus to start off a four game set. Young Adam Miller improved to 4-0 striking out seven guys and allowing two runs on three hits over six innings.
The offense is coming from every angle for Coach Torey Lovullo, and he has the division leaders ready. Call ups and injuries notwithstanding, this is a ballclub that has a wonderful mix of power and speed on the bases, and they also have some quality pitchers who can really get a chance to show off their stuff with the lineup they have behind them. One note, Ed Mujica, the Bisons closer so far, has been called up to Cleveland and right-handed veteran Brian Sikorski will assume the closing duties. The Bisons have three more home games with the Clippers before entertaining Rochester for the front half of a four game, home and home series. At 19-8, the Bisons are two game ahead of Rochester in the IL North.
