Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons (28-42, 6th(-14.0), North) vs. Norfolk Tides (27-41, 4th(-10.0), South)Sunday, June 19, 2011 (1:15 p.m.) - Harbor ParkRHP Dylan Owen (2-3, 5.00) vs. TBARadio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Bisons take on the Norfolk Tides in the final game of a four-game series from Harbor Park (1:15 p.m.). Trailing 2-1 in the series, the Herd needs a win today to earn a split of the four-game set. The roadtrip continues for Buffalo tomorrow as the Bisons will travel to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for a four-game series with the Bulls. VS. THE TIDES: The Bisons are 1-2 against the Tides this year and are in danger of losing their first series at Norfolk since 2004. The Herd lost three of five games in an extended series, May 29 - June 1, 2004 (rainout in Buffalo). That is the only series the Bisons have ever lost at Harbor Park. The Herd has eight series wins (two sweeps) and four splits in Norfolk since 1998. ON THE BUMP: RHP DYLAN OWEN makes his seventh start and 12th appearance for the Bisons today. The righty lost his last outing on June 13 against Columbus after allowing three runs in 4.2 innings of work. Owen earned a victory at Harbor Park on June 5, 2010 with five innings pitched in a 12-9 victory. That game still stands as the Herd’s longest nine-inning game in the modern era at three hours and 49 minutes. GONE FISHIN’: INF MICHAEL FISHER now owns the second-longest hit streak for a Bison this year. Since June 6, Fisher has hit in 12 straight games, averaging .292 (14-48) with three doubles, five RBI and nine runs scored. It’s the longest active streak in the International League and only four games shorter than OF KIRK NIEUWENHUIS’S team-high 16-game stretch in April. IN THE WATER: OF JESUS FELICIANO continues to enjoy Tides’ pitching. In 16 career games against Norfolk, the veteran has averaged .368 (25-68) with 10 runs scored and 11RBI. Feliciano had three hits last night and will bring a six-game hit streak into today’s action. Since June 9, Feliciano has averaged .333 (8-24) with a double and a run scored. EVANS ALMIGHTY: INF/OF NICK EVANS extended his hit streak to eight games last night. Evans has averaged .433 (13-30) during a streak that began in May before a month-long promotion to the Mets. - from team press release