Bison Strawberry Notes

*REMINDER* Darryl Strawberry will be available for media at 11:45 a.m. in the Bisons home dugout

TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons face the Columbus Clippers in the third game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). The Herd needs to win the next two games to earn a split of the series as the Clippers notched victories on Thursday (6-4) and Friday (10-4). After this series, the Bisons will welcome in the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a four-game set from May 25-28.

OH NELLY: RHP Nelson Figueroa is making his first start with the Bisons since May 10. The veteran had his contract selected by New York on May 14 but didn’t pitch in his second stint with the Mets. Figueroa has been solid for Buffalo, allowing three runs or less in all five of his starts. Despite being 0-3, Figueroa has posted a 2.37ERA in his last three starts, having allowed just five runs on 13 hits in 19.0 innings of work.

F-MART: OF Fernando Martinez has collected multi-hit performances in each of his last four games. Since Monday, Martinez has averaged .471 (8-17) with two doubles, three home runs, five RBI and six runs scored. The stretch has helped Martinez raise his average 22 points from .274 to a team-leading .296. Martinez has 17 multi-hit performances in the team’s 39 games this year.

EXTRA-EXTRA: OF Fernando Martinez is currently tied with former Bison Todd Linden for the International League lead with 23 extra-base hits. Martinez has 14 doubles (T3rd in IL), two triples (T5th in IL) and seven home runs (T6th in IL). Martinez also leads the Bisons in runs scored (21) and RBI (25).

SOLID DEBUT: C/INF Javier Valentin has reached base safely in six of his first eight games with the team. The veteran went 0-2 last night but did draw two walks. Valentin has hit .292 (7-24) since joining the Herd on May 15. He has six RBI on only seven hits.

FIVE FOR FIVE: OF Cory Sullivan reached base all five times he came to the plate last night. The veteran doubled in the first inning, walked his next three times to the plate and then singled in the ninth inning. On the year, Sullivan leads the Bisons with 15 walks and is 3rd with 12 runs scored