Buffalo Bisons (15-11) vs. Syracuse Chiefs (10-16)

Thursday, May 3, 2012 (6:05 p.m.) - Coca-Cola Field
RHP Jeurys Familia (2-1, 5.40) vs. RHP Mitch Atkins (2-2, 3.68)
Radio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com


TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs in the third game of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Field (6:05 p.m.). The series is tied 1-1 after the Chiefs’ 8-0 win on Tuesday and the Herd’s 5-2 victory last night. Buffalo is now 4-1 on their current seven-game homestand that began with a three-game rain-shortened sweep of the Rochester Red Wings.

LOG JAM: The Bisons are one of four teams within a half-game of first place in the International League North Division. Pawtucket has the top spot with a 16-11 record. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is 14-10 (.583 winning pct.) and just percentage points ahead of the Bisons (15-11, .577) and Lehigh Valley (15-11).

THRUWAY CUP: With last night’s win, the Bisons’ (8-4) increased their lead in the Thruway Series standings back up to two games. Buffalo is 3-2 against Syracuse (5-5) this year and 5-2 against the Red Wings (4-8). The Herd has not won a Thruway Cup since 2007.

WE ARE FAMILIA: RHPJEURYS FAMILIA will make his sixth start of the season tonight. The 22-year old has a pair of wins, the last coming at the expense of the Syracuse Chiefs. In his best outing of the year, Familia struck out eight and allowed just one run in five innings of a 6-1 win at Alliance Bank Stadium on April 22. Familia is second on the Bisons with 26 strikeouts.

STREAKIN’: OFVINNY ROTTINO’S hit streak has reached 13 games - tied with INF VALENTINO PASCUCCIfor the longest by a Bisons this season. The streak is also the second longest active streak in the International League. Since April 18, Rottino has hit .333 (17-51) with six extra-base hits and six RBI.

BIG RETURN: CROB JOHNSON was activated off the disabled list last night. In his game back, the catcher went 2-3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI. Johnson missed five games with a left knee sprain. To make roster room, CJEAN LUC BLAQUIERE was transferred to Brooklyn (A).

BULLY FOR THE PEN: The Bisons have four relievers who have been with the club all year and have sub 2.00ERA. The list is led by RHPFERNDNAO CABRERA (0.79) and includes LHP CHUCK JAMES (0.93), RHP JACK EGBERT (1.76) and last night’s winner, LHP JUSTIN HAMPSON (1.80).

METS UPDATE: The Mets (13-12) were swept in a three-game series in Houston following the Astros’ 8-1 win on Wednesday. Former Bisons INFRUBEN TEJADA had three hits in the loss. It was his fourth game of three hits or more in the last week. The Mets are off today and will host the Diamondbacks on Friday night.