Bisons Game Notes

***REMINDER: Buffalo Sabres D Tyler Myers will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before tonight’s game. Myers’ first pitch will be at approximately 6:50 p.m.***

TODAY’S GAME:

Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in the final game of a two-game series from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is looking for the series split as the Yanks won 5-1 in 11 innings last night. Tonight’s game is Buffalo’s final home game before the All-Star Break. The Bisons will travel to Pawtucket and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a couple of two-game series before next week’s break. vs.

THE YANKEES:

The Bisons are 1-6 against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, including an 0-5 mark here at Coca-Cola Field. The Herd was swept in a four-game series by the Yanks in Buffalo, April 13-16. The teams then split a two-game set at PNC Field, April 21-22. Buffalo holds the 92-90 (.505) advantage in the series since returning to the International League in 1998.

HOT JAVY:

INF Javier Castillo extended his hit streak in a big way last night. The infielder launched a solo home run to account for the Herd’s lone tally in the defeat. It was Castillo’s four homer since joining the team on June 14. The slugger has now hit in 11 straight games, averaging .395 (17-43) since June 26. Castillo has posted five multi-hit performances during the hot stretch.

FEELIN’ SULLY:

OF Cory Sullivan has hit in six straight games and 11 of his last 13. Since June 24, the outfielder has averaged .385 (20-52) with four doubles, six RBI and 10 runs scored. It has now been almost two months since Sullivan went hitless in consecutive starts (May 8-9, 0-7). Since the start of June, Sullivan has averaged .339 (40-118).

OLLY ON HIS WAY:

LHP Oliver Perez is in New York tonight and is scheduled to start for the Mets against the Dodgers. The southpaw made his last start with New York on May 2 before landing on the DL with a right knee injury. Perez made four rehab starts since, including a pair of outings with the Bisons. Perez was 0-2 with a 3.86ERA with the Herd (9.1IP, 8H, 4ER, 9BB, 9K).

IL’S TOP PITCHER:

The International League announced yesterday that LHP Jonathon Niese was the IL’s Pitcher of the Week for the period of June 29 - July 5. Niese was 1-0 with a 1.06ERA in his two starts last week, including a nine-inning complete-game shutout of Rochester on July 5.