Buffalo Bisons Game Notes

TODAY’S GAME:

This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons conclude the 2009 season with the final game of a five-game in four-day series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Coca-Cola Park (1:35 p.m.). The Bisons trail 1-3 so far in the series and are just 29-50 in divisional games this season.

vs. THE IRONPIGS:

The Bisons are 6-9 against Lehigh Valley this season. The IronPigs victory last night ensured them the season series victory over the Herd. Buffalo is just 5-10 at Coca-Cola Park in the first two years of the rivalry. The Herd has never won a series in Lehigh Valley.

NOT SO PETTY:

LHP Adam Pettyjohn gets the start in the final game of the season. The veteran has been solid since joining the Herd, going 3-4 with a 3.70ERA in his eight games and seven starts in Buffalo. He did fall in defeat his last time out, allowing six runs (four earned) on 10 hits in six innings of work to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 2. Pettyjohn is 2-2 with a 2.86ERA in five road starts for Buffalo this year.

MOST VALUABLE HITTER:

Bisons team MVP OF Jesus Feliciano has all but sealed up the International League Hit Crown. Feliciano has posted two straight three-hit games, giving him 154 hits on the season. That’s five more than Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s OF Austin Jackson (149). Feliciano came on strong late as he enters today’s game on an eight-game hit streak (.452, 14-31). His 154 hits tie him with OF Kevin Young (1992) for the 5th most hits in a single season in the Bisons Modern Era.

OFF THE LEADERBOARD:

RHP Nelson Figueroa will fall 2.2 innings shy of winning the International League ERA crown. Figgy posted a 2.25ERA in 17 starts for the Bisons, but has been with New York since August 3. IL pitchers are required to pitch in 0.8 innings per team game to qualify among the league leaders (143G x 0.8 = 114.2IP). Figueroa has only pitched 112.0 innings. This year, no Bisons pitcher will have a qualifying ERA.

TEAM LEADERS: OF Jesus Feliciano will end up as the team leader in virtually every offensive category. He tops the Herd in games (130), average (.311), doubles (30), stolen bases (13) and runs scored (57). INF Mike Lamb leads the team in extra-base hits (36) and RBI (53) while INF Nick Evans’ 10 homers are one more than OF Chip Ambres and C Rene Rivera.

ON THE MOUND:

RHP Nelson Figueroa and RHP Tobi Stoner will finish the year tied for the team lead with seven wins. Stoner won his last four decisions. Figueroa’s 94 strikeouts will lead the team as will his 112.0 innings of work. RHP Elmer Dessens team-best 11 saves earned him a big league promotion this year. LHP Jon Switzer’s 41 appearances led the 2009 Bisons.