Bisons Game Notes

TODAY’S GAME:

Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons begin the second half of the 2009 season with the first game of a four-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd won four of its last five games before heading into the All-Star Break. After this four-game series, the Bisons will leave for an eight-game roadtrip to Louisville and Indianapolis. vs.

THE HENS:

Tonight’s game is the first match-up between the Bisons and the Mud Hens this season -the last team in the IL the Herd has yet to face. Buffalo won the season-series a year ago, 5-3, thanks to a series win at Fifth Third Field. The Bisons have not lost a set to Toledo at Coca-Cola Field since the 2003 season (one win and four splits)

. TOBI LIVE: RHP

Tobi Stoner is coming off his best start at the Triple-A level. The righty allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings in Buffalo’s 1-0 victory over Pawtucket last Friday. Stoner struck out three and retired 14 batters in a row at one point. Combined with his time at Binghamton (AA), Stoner is now 4-4 with a 3.27ERA in 12 starts this season.

HOT JAVY:

There was no hotter hitter heading into the All-Star break than INF Javier Castillo. The Bisons infielder has a 16-game hit streak since June 26, over which he has averaged .361 (22-61) with four doubles, three home runs and seven RBI. It’s the second-longest active streak in the IL, one-game shy of Columbus’ OF Trevor Crowe. The top hit streak in the league this year was set by former Scranton/Wilkes-Barres OF Todd Linden at 19 games.

OH NELLY:

RHP Nelson Figueroa impressed in last night’s Triple-A All-Star Game. The Herd hurler pitched a shutout eighth inning as the International League beat the Pacific Coast League, 6-5. After allowing a one-out double, he struck out Tacoma’s INF Bryan LaHair and Sacramento’s INF Eric Patterson to end his inning. On the season, Figueroa’s 2.50ERA in 14 starts is tied for the 4th-lowest mark in the International League.

GOOD KNIGHT:

RHP Brandon Knight has ascended to the Bisons closer role. Knight went 2-2 in save situations before the break. Knight saved 27 games for Altoona (AA) in 2006 and 12 more with Columbus (AAA) in 2002.