Buffalo Bisons Game Notes

TODAY’S GAME:

Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the first two games of a five-game in four-day series from Coca-Cola Park (5:35 p.m.). This set will be the final games for the Herd in the 2009 season. The Bisons are coming off a 2-2 homestand where they split a pair of two-game sets with Rochester and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

vs. THE IRONPIGS:

The Bisons are 5-6 against Lehigh Valley this season. The IronPigs won six of the first eight contests this year, but Buffalo has won three straight games against Lehigh Valley heading into tonight. The Herd is still looking for its first series win against the I-Pigs at Coca-Cola Park.

FELICIANO MVP:

The Bisons team Most Valuable Player OF Jesus Feliciano had another strong game yesterday with three hits in four at-bats. The outfielder is now in a three-way tie with Gwinnett’s Barbaro Canizares and Scranton/Wilkes-Barres Austin Jackson for the most hits in the International League (146). Feliciano’s .304 is also 7th-best in the IL.

MASONRY:

RHP Chris Mason has been a great late-season addition to the Herd’s rotation. The 25-year old has posted a 2.13ERA in his first two starts with the club. On Sunday, Mason allowed three runs in 5.2 innings of work in Rochester. That start came on the heels of seven shutout innings in his Bisons debut on August 25 in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mason began the year in Tampa Bay’s system and made one start for the Bulls on June 1 (4.0IP, 8H, 4ER).

GETTING CHIPPY:

OF Chip Ambres enters tonight’s game on an eight-game hit streak. The veteran has hit .364 (12-33) since August 27, with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored. His two-run blast yesterday was his 12th homer of the season, eight of which have come as a Bison.

BISONS BITS:

INF Argenis Reyes has seven multi-hit performances in his last 11 games. He has averaged .353 (18-51) since August 24...INF Luis Rivera gave the Bisons their fifth walk-off win with his 10th inning RBI-single last night...LHP Arturo Lopez makes his first start as a Bison today. The southpaw’s first 14 appearances with the team have all come out of the bullpen.