Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons (26-31, 4th(-9.0), North) vs. Gwinnett Braves (27-28, 2nd(-3.0), South)Sunday, June 5, 2011 (2:05 p.m.) - Coolray Field



LHP Mark Cohoon (1-0, 9.00) vs. LHP Mike Minor (2-2, 2.56)


Radio: WWKB AM 1520, http://www.bisons.com/



TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Bisons take on the Gwinnett Braves in the third game of a four-game series from Coolray Field (2:05 p.m.). The series is tied 1-1 after the Bisons 3-2 win on Friday and the Braves 7-1 victory last night. The Bisons are 3-3 on their current roadtrip that began with a four-game split in Charlotte. Starting Tuesday, the Bisons will begin an eight-game homestand against Indianapolis and Columbus.






VS. THE BRAVES: The Bisons are 4-2 against the Braves this season. The Herd won three of four in their back-to-back doubleheaders against Gwinnett last weekend at Coca-Cola Field. Dating back to last season, Buffalo has won seven of its last nine games against the Braves.






TODAY’S STARTER: LHP MARK COHOON will make his second career Triple-A start this afternoon. The southpaw won his Bisons debut last Monday in Charlotte. Cohoon allowed five runs in five innings of a 7-5 win over the Knights. He started the season at Double-A Binghamton and was 1-3 with a 3.81ERA in nine total starts (52.0IP, 44K).






ZIPPIDY DUDA: OF LUCAS DUDA has been on fire since returning from a two-week stint on the disabled list on May 27. In his last nine games, Duda has averaged .429 (12-28) with two doubles, five home runs and nine RBI. In his first 103 career games at Triple-A, Duda has 56 extra-base hits, including 29 doubles, two triples and 25 home runs.






OUR PAL VAL: INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI has driven in nine runs in his last eight games. Pascucci’s 28RBI since May 10 are four more than any other hitter in the International League. In that 24-game span, the slugger has hit .329 with eight doubles, five home runs and 11 runs scored. Pascucci’s team-high 33RBI on the season rank tied for seventh in the IL.


NOT RIGHT: The Bisons are scheduled to face three straight left-handed pitchers starting today with Gwinnett’s LHP Mike Minor. The Herd is just 5-10 against southpaws this year, including an 0-7 record on the road. Buffalo is an even 21-21 when facing right-handed starters.