Herd Game Notes

Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons face the Columbus Clippers in the second game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Clippers took Game 1 of the series yesterday with a 6-4 victory. Today’s game is the second of an eight-game homestand as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will visit Buffalo from May 25-28.

A NIESE RETURN: LHP Jonathon Niese will make his first start with the Bisons tonight since his promotion to the Mets. Niese started two games for New York and was 0-0 with a 5.91ERA. His last start with the Bisons was his best outing of the young season. On May 1, the southpaw allowed just one run on three hits in six innings of a no-decision against Louisville. Niese also struck out a season-high eight batters in that game.

F-MART: OF Fernando Martinez has three consecutive multi-hit games. Since Monday, Martinez has averaged .500 (6-12) with two doubles, three home runs and six runs scored. He is currently tied with former Bison Todd Linden with 23 extra-base hits on the season. His 14 doubles are two shy of Linden for the International League lead.

SOLID DEBUT: C/INF Javier Valentin continues to be a solid addition to the Herd’s lineup. The veteran has seven hits in his first seven games with the team, averaging .318 (7-22) with two home runs, six RBI and four walks. Five of his seven hits have driven in runs for the Bisons. Valentin hit .256 (33-129) with four home runs and 19RBI in 94 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008.

BIG WILY STYLE: INF/OF Wily Mo Pena is riding a five-game hit streak coming into tonight. Since May 16, Pena has hit .333 (7-21) with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.

ROSTER MOVE: RHP Nelson Figueroa rejoins the Herd today. Figueroa has his contract selected by the Mets on May 14 for the second time this season. He did not pitch in this last stint. For Buffalo, Figueroa is 0-3 with a 2.57ERA in five starts. To make roster room, LHP Mike Antonini was transferred to Binghamton (AA). He was 0-1 with a 12.27ERA in two starts with the Herd.