Behind Figueroa's 3-4 day and Miguel Batista's solid eight inning start the Bisons beat Toledo 4-2 for the second time in two days at Coca-Cola Field.
Figueroa jumped out of the gate slamming a triple off the left-field wall in the first inning just missing a home run. Valentino Pascucci singled into right field to score Figueroa, it was Pascucci's 83 RBI of the season.
"Figueroa had a nice day, started off with a triple, he amped up his game today and the one pop out was a hit and run play that he gave an effort to try and get on top of a high fastball," manager Tim Teufel said.
Figueroa followed his triple with a double into right field in the second inning scoring Jesus Feliciano from second base. Figueroa led off the fifth inning with a ground rule double and scored after Zach Lutz followed Figueroa double of his own.
Figueroa was has had three hits in a game ten times this season, and it's the first time in a game this season that Figueroa has doubled and tripled in a game.
Miguel Batista made sure that the four runs would stand up working eight innings, giving up four hits, one earned run and striking out six Mud Hen's.
"I was trying to take advantage of the fact that they will swing, they're the type of team that's an offensive machine, and if you get behind I the count they will walk but if you don't they will swing, we tried to take advantage of that, make them swing the bat make them put it in play," Batista said. "Our whole game plan was going for soft contact."
Batista continued to dominate right handed batters allowing only one hit in 14 at-bats against righties. Right handed batters are hitting a measly .150 (12-80) against Batista. Four of his six strikeout's Wednesday came against righties.
"He's got a lot of ball movement away from right-handed hitters but that front door cutter is a tough one to hit, he starts it in and gets it on that outside corner, his game is getting polished up right now," Teufel said.
Dale Thayer closed out the game for the Bisons second win in a row and his 17th save in the 2011 season.
Game Notes Luis Figueroa doubled twice and tripled once, the first time he has doubled and tripled in a game this season...Miguel Batista worked a season high eight innings earning his second win of the season...Batista continues to dominate right hand batters holding them to a .150 (12-80) batting average...The Herd moved to 5-3 during their current home stand with the win Wednesday.
I know this is off article but any word on Brant Rustich. I was really hoping for a big bounce back year from him after surgery. I also see that Zach Dotson has finally resurfaced. What does the new regime think of these two players and any ideas where they start next year. Thanks in advance for responding.
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