Buffalo Bisons Game Notes

TODAY’S GAME: Today, the Buffalo Bisons host the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in the third game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). The Herd is down 0-2 in the series following defeats of 6-5 and 5-3 to the Yanks. The Bisons are now 1-5 in their season-opening eight-game homestand. After Thursday’s finale against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Herd will begin a six-game roadtrip in Syracuse.

F-MART: OF Fernando Martinez now leads the International League with six extra-base hits. Martinez doubled in five trips to the plate yesterday, his fourth two-bagger of the year. All six of Martinez’s hits have gone for extra-bases, with four doubles, a triple and a home run on Monday. Last year at Binghamton (AA), Martinez had 19 doubles, 4 triples and 8 home runs in 86 games.

FAST START: INF Michel Abreu has collected hits in each of his first three games with the team. Abreu has shown good pop with a single and a double yesterday to add to his monster home run on Monday. Abreu is now hitting .333 (4-12) with a team-high four RBI so far this season.

AT THE TOP: In his first game as the Bisons’ lead-off hitter, OF Jesus Feliciano went 4-6 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI. Feliciano is now 6 for his last 12, to raise his season average to a Bisons-high .350. Last year, Feliciano hit .308 in 139 games with New Orleans (AAA). He led the Zephyrs in average and had 33 more hits (157) than anyone else on the team.

PEN WORK: RHP Eddie Kunz allowed just one hit while striking out five in three impressive innings of relief work yesterday. Kunz has delivered three scoreless outings (6.1IP) for the Herd so far this year and earned the club’s lone win in Sunday’s 15-inning marathon. With his power right arm, Kunz has allowed just one hit to a right-handed batter in 15 at-bats this year.

START THINGS UP: The Bisons starting rotation is still looking for its first win in 2009. The Herd’s starters are 0-2 with a 4.71ERA in six games. The group does have 27 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work. Today’s starter, RHP Dillon Gee, fanned six in 4.2 frames against Pawtucket last Friday