Friday, April 5, 2012 (7:05 p.m.) - McCoy Stadium
RHP Matt Harvey (NR) vs. RHP Justin Germano (NR)
Radio: WWKB AM 1520, www.bisons.com
TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons open up their 127th season of professional baseball in Buffalo with the first game of a two-game series against the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium (7:05 p.m.). Tonight’s game is also the start of a season-opening six-game roadtrip as the Herd will travel to Rochester for a four-game set at Frontier Field, April 7-10.
vs. RED SOX: The Bisons were just 4-11 against Pawtucket last season. That mark included a 1-6 record at McCoy Stadium. The last time Buffalo won a series in Rhode Island was a two-game sweep of the PawSox, July 9-10, 2009. The Bisons have not won the season series since going 10-6 in 2008.
FIRST FOE: The last time the Bisons began a season against Pawtucket was their first game as affiliate of the Mets. The Red Sox took a 6-4 decision at Coca-Cola Field on April 9, 2009. The last time the Bisons opened in Pawtucket was a 4-3 PawSox win on April 8, 2004. Bisons RHPFERNANDO CABRERA pitched in relief for Buffalo in that game and walked a pair of batters.
HARVEY STARTS: RHPMATT HARVEY gets the call on Opening Day and will make his Triple-A debut against the PawSox tonight. The 23-year old is in just his second professional season after being selected by the Mets seventh overall in the 2010 draft. Harvey led all Mets’ minor leaguers with 13 wins and 156 strikeouts in 2011 between St. Lucie (A) and Binghamton (AA).
MVP RETURNS: INFVALENTINO PASCUCCI brings his big bat back to the Bisons lineup in 2012. The slugger was the Bisons 2011 MVP after leading the team with 21 home runs and 91RBI. Pascucci also ranked 2nd in International League last season with 76 walks and 9th with a .375 on-base percentage. Pascucci has 231 career minor league home runs to his credit.
THE 2012 HERD: The Bisons Opening Day Roster boasts 13 players with major league experience. The Bisons 2011 Most Valuable Pitcher RHPCHRIS SCHWINDEN returns after posting 134 strikeouts last season. Three of the Mets’ Top 10 prospects are on the Bisons in RHPMATT HARVEY (#2), RHP JEURYS FAMILIA (#4) and OF KIRK NIEUWENHUIS (#7). INFJOSH SATIN was the Mets’ 2011 Organizational Player of the Year.
WALLY BALL: Tonight’s game is the debut for new Bisons managerWALLY BACKMAN. The 17th Bisons manager in the modern era enters his 10th season as a manager with a career 534-488 record (.523 pct.). In 2012, Backman will wear #8 in honor of his friend and former teammate, the late Gary Carter.
METS UPDATE: The Mets begin their 50th anniversary season this afternoon against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field (1:10 p.m.). LHPJOHAN SANTANA gets the much-anticipated start. New York starts the season with a six-game homestand as they will face the Braves and then the Washington Nationals. The Mets went 9-20 in Grapefruit League play during their spring exhibition schedule.
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