Buffalo Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons (4-6, 5th(-4.0), North) vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (6-4, 2nd(-2.0),North)
Sunday, April 15, 2012 (1:05 p.m.) - Coca-Cola Field
RHP Matt Harvey (0-1, 5.79) vs. RHP Doug Mathis (0-1, 1.80)
Radio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com


TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons host the Pawtucket Red Sox in the final game of a two-game series at Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). Following a 9-6 loss yesterday, the Herd needs a victory today to earn a split of the set. After today’s game, the Bisons’ nine-game homestand continues with a four-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, April 15-19.

vs. PAWSOX: The Bisons now trail the Red Sox in their season series, 2-1. The two clubs split a two-game series back at McCoy Stadium, April 5-6. That series also began with a Pawtucket victory before Buffalo rebounded for a 2-1 win in the second game of the series.

HARVEY: RHPMATT HARVEY pitches in front of the fans of Coca-Cola Field for the first time today. The 23-year old prospect began his Triple-A career with a pair of starts on the season-opening roadtrip. Harvey was a combined 0-1 with a 5.79ERA in those two starts. Last year, Harvey led all Mets’ minor league pitchers with 13 wins and 156 strikeouts.

TIPPIN’ THE SCALES: INFBOBBY SCALES had four hits yesterday and finished a triple away from the cycle. The veteran has reached base in at least twice in all seven games he’s started in 2012. Scales now sports an International League best .567 on-base percentage. That total is .067 points higher than the next player. Scales also ranks tops among all IL hitters with .458 (11-24) batting average.

STREAKIN: INFZACH LUTZ extended his hit streak to nine games yesterday with his third double of the season. Since the second game of the season, Lutz has hit .355 (11-31) with two home runs and six RBI. The infielder has been with the Herd for parts of the last two seasons and now carries a .324 average (82-253) in 76 career Triple-A games (19 doubles, 14 home runs).

BISONS BITS: CJEAN LUC BLAQUIERE was activated yesterday with INF JOSH SATIN being placed on the Mets’ 24-hour Taxi Squad. New York will have to decide today to activate Satin or return him to Buffalo...INFJORDANY VALDESPIN is 4th in the International League with eight runs scored...The Bisons have hit into a league worst 10 doubleplays.

METS UPDATE: The Mets (6-2) blanked the Phillies yesterday by a 5-0 score. Former Bison LHPJON NIESE improved to 2-0 by holding Philadelphia to just five hits in 6.2 innings of work. New York got home runs from OFLUCAS DUDA and INF DAVID WRIGHT. The Mets go for the three-game sweep of the Phils today at 1:35 p.m.