Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons (7-8, T3rd(-4.0), North) vs. Syracuse Chiefs (3-11, 6th(-7.5), North)
Friday, April 20, 2012 (7:00 p.m.) - Alliance Bank Stadium
RHP Matt Harvey (0-1, 7.62) vs. RHP Mitch Atkins (1-1, 0.75)
Radio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons are in Syracuse to face the Chiefs in the first game of a three-game series at Alliance Bank Stadium (7:00 p.m.). Tonight’s game is the first of a six-game roadtrip as the Herd will also visit Lehigh Valley, April 23-25. The Bisons are coming off a 4-5 homestand that included series splits against the Red Sox and IronPigs.

vs. CHIEFS: The Thruway Series continues tonight with the first matchup between the Bisons and Chiefs this year. With four wins, Rochester (4-2) currently leads the 2012 Thruway Series. The Bisons have not won a season series against Syracuse since going 9-7 in 2007. Since then, the Chiefs have won 43 of 64 games against the Bisons.

HARVEY: Tonight, RHPMATT HARVEY will start the fourth turn in the Bisons rotation this season. Harvey is in search of his first Triple-A victory. The 23-year old is coming off a pair of no-decisions in Rochester on April 10 and against the PawSox on April 15. Last season, Harvey led all Mets’ minor leaguers with 13 wins and 156 strikeouts.

TIPPIN’ THE SCALES: INFBOBBY SCALES has reached at least twice in all 12 games he has started in 2012. His .537 on-base percentage is 37 points higher than any other hitter in the International League. Scales also ranks 2nd in the IL with a .432 average (19-44) and 4th with a .682 slugging percentage. Scales has drawn 10 walks with only one strikeout in 56 plate appearances.

HOMERING HERD: With home runs from INFJORDANY VALDESPIN and INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI yesterday, the Bisons now have 17 longballs on the season. That total is tied with Toledo for the most in the International League. Eight different batters have gone deep for the Herd. Pascucci is tied for 2nd most in the IL with five home runs.

BISONS BITS: INFVALENTINO PASCUCCI now has 43 home runs in his three-year Bisons career. That total is good for 9th most in the team’s modern era, two behind INFTOREY LOVULLO in 8th place...LHP CHUCK JAMES has made six scoreless appearances to begin this season (6.2IP). He’s allowed just one hit...Bisons starters have made three consecutive quality starts.

METS UPDATE: After an off day on Thursday, the Mets (7-5) return home to open a seven-game homestand. Tonight’s 7:10 p.m. first pitch begins a three-game series with San Francisco. Former Bisons LHP JON NIESE gets the start for New York. He has won both his starts in 2012, going 2-0 with a 2.13ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.2 innings.