Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons  vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

LHP Pat Misch (5-5, 4.38) vs. RHP Lance Pendleton (3-3, 2.95)

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to begin a four-game series at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd avoided a series sweep by Pawtucket last night with an 8-7 victory. Buffalo is 26-28 at home this season. Following Friday’s homestand finale, the Bisons will begin a 10-game roadtrip in Lehigh Valley.

VS. THE YANKEES: The Bisons are 4-5 against the Yankees this season. The teams split a four-game set at Coca-Cola Field from May 9-12. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earned a 2-1 series win at PNC Field, April 13-15. The last time the two teams met they split two games in Moosic, July 6-7. All nine meetings this year have been decided by four runs or less.

DISCH ON MISCH: LHP PAT MISCH will make his 15th appearance for the Bisons this season tonight. In his last outing, Misch went 6.2 innings and allowed only two runs in a victory at Syracuse on July 21. On the year, the southpaw leads the team in with eight quality starts and 6.1 innings per start. In his last seven starts, Misch is 4-1 with a 3.02ERA (44.2IP, 15ER).

Mr. VP: INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI has 20RBI in 12 games since the break. The slugger now has 70RBI on the season, four more than any other hitter in the International League. Pascucci also leads the IL with 56 walks and is tied for third with a .389 on-base percentage. In 162 career games as a Bison, Pascucci has 32 home runs and 107RBI.

LUIS, LUIS: INF LUIS FIGUEROA has hit in 10 of 12 games since the All-Star Break with a .314 (16-51) batting average. Seven of those 16 hits are doubles as the veteran also has four RBI and seven runs scored in the last two weeks. Figueroa’s .304 average is the 12th highest in the International League.

BISONS BITS: RHP DALE THAYER collected his 11th save of the season last night. The last Bisons pitcher to notch 12 saves in a season was RHP Rick Bauer in 2008 (15 total saves)...RHP MIGUEL BATISTA became the third Bisons starter to notch nine strikeouts in a start this season, matching RHP Chris Schwinden and RHP D.J. Carrasco.