Bisons Game Notes

TODAY’S GAME:

This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons host the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) for the final game a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). Down 2-1, the Herd needs a win today to earn a split of the set with the Bats. After today, the Bisons will travel to Lehigh Valley for a four-game series against the IronPigs.

K-MAN:

RHP Brandon Knight has given the Bisons back-to-back quality starts in his last two outings. He allowed just three runs in six innings on April 18 in Syracuse and held the Chiefs to three runs in seven innings on April 24. Knight has averaged better than a strikeout per inning with 20 punchouts in only 18 innings of work. He has fanned at least five in all three of his starts this year.

INSTANT IMPACT:

INF/OF Wily Mo Pena has been a big addition to the team’s lineup. The veteran has hit in all four games he’s played in, averaging .385 (5-13). On Friday, he hit a monster three-run homerun in just his second game with the team. He went 1-2 (R, BB) and 1-3 in yesterday’s doubleheader.

ON THE CHARTS:

RHP Dillon Gee’s complete game yesterday is one of only four complete efforts in the International League so far. OF Fernando Martinez hit his ninth double of the year to tie him with Norfolk’s Oscar Salaza for the IL lead. Martinez also homered yesterday, giving him 12 extra-base hits in 2009. That total is tied for 5th in the IL.

SMOOTH CRIMINALS:

The Bisons were a perfect 4-4 stealing bases yesterday. INF Argenis Reyes picked up his team-best fourth steal while INF Jose Coronado, OF Jason Cooper and C Robinson Cancel all took an extra base. As a team, the Bisons have 13 steals in 15 attempts for an 87% success rate.

GLOVE WORK:

The Bisons are second in the International League with a .982 team fielding percentage. The club is tied for 1st in the IL in fewest errors (14) and tied for 2nd in most doubleplays (23). ROSTER MOVE: The Bisons have added RHP Tim McNab to their bullpen. The 28-year old was 0-0 with a 3.27ERA in eight games with Binghamton (AA). Last year, McNab was 3-3 with a 5.55ERA in 50 games and one start for New Orleans (AAA).