But considering the way things transpired in the final regulation frame, a 9-inning win could have easily been in the cards for the Herd.
Buffalo tied the game with no outs in the 9th, and then proceeded to load the bases - putting the walk-off watch on notice at Coca-Cola Field. Three consecutive outs later, the Herd had to feel like an opportunity was squandered. Toledo capitalized on the good fortune with three runs in the 10th, and the Mud Hens held on for a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night.
"When you get the bases loaded, you've just got to put the ball in play," Bisons manager Wally Backman said. "We swung at balls, and took strikes. That doesn't score very many runs."
Down 1-0 heading into the 9th, the Bisons found a spark when Adam Loewen found a gap in left field for a leadoff single. When Zach Lutz followed by taking a pitch on the helmet, things looked bright for Buffalo - with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out.
And after the next batter, things looked near-perfect. Valentino Pascucci laid down a bunt, and Toledo reliever Chris Bootcheck made an attempt to throw out a sliding Loewen at third. The ball missed its target and scooted toward the wall, allowing Loewen to score and tie the game - with Lutz taking third, and Pascucci taking second. Josh Satin was intentionally walked, leaving the winning run on third with nobody out.
But it wasn't meant to be. Bootcheck came back strong with consecutive strikeouts of Matt Den Dekker and Matt Tuiasosopo, and Rob Johnson flew out to end the threat.
"We tied the game up, and got the bases loaded with no outs," Backman said. "Those guys have got to be able to get the bat on the ball and perform. All you do is get the bat on the ball, and we score a run."
After shellacking the Mud Hens for a season-high 17 runs the night before, Buffalo's offensive effort just wasn't the same on Wednesday. Toledo starter Adam Wilk pitched seven scoreless innings, holding the Bisons to three hits in the process.
This lack of opportunity forced Buffalo to press, leading to a couple of costly base running errors - both on well-hit line drives to the left field wall.
In the 2nd, Josh Satin got greedy on a stress-free single and made a break for second - but was thrown out after a precise recovery throw from Toledo LF Jerad Head. Same thing in the 7th, when Josh Rodriguez was tagged out while sliding into second, after ripping a line drive to the wall.
When runs are at a premium, it is crucial to put men on base. After an intelligent night on the basepaths the night before, the case wasn't the same on Wednesday. Backman said as much.
"Bad base-running," Backman said. "Bad base-running. (When) the ball's in front of you, you've got to stop. The guy (Head) made good plays off the wall both times, and we know he's got a decent throwing arm."
But a positive note for Buffalo was Familia's outing, and what an outing it was. After failing to pitch more than 6.1 innings in any of his first 19 starts this season, the right-hander went eight innings strong Wednesday night. Familia held Toledo to one run on three hits - and the only particularly well-hit ball produced a run, John Lindsey's solo homer in the 2nd.
Lately, Familia has made a conscious effort to increase his tempo on the mound. Now maintaining a steady rhythm, he has strung together a series of quality performances - allowing only two runs in his last 20.2 innings of work.
Backman worked with Familia last year at Double-A Binghamton, and says the recent play is similar to what he saw in 2011.
"He's been great (lately)," Backman said. "He's been the way that I saw him last year. He's commanded his fastball well; (he's) got a power breaking ball. I wanted to see it all year long, but to see him come back...I'm really happy for him, because I know it's in there."
It may have taken some time, but it appears that Familia is making quick strides toward becoming a consistently dependable Triple-A pitcher. Unfortunately for Familia, the run support wasn't quite there on Wednesday.
Then again, you can't expect 17 runs every night.
Bisons Notes: After a 4-for-4 effort the night before, Tuiasosopo fell back Wednesday with an 0-for-4 showing at the plate...Bisons RF Adam Loewen continued his recent strong play, going 2-for-5 on the night. Loewen was the only Bison to record a multi-hit game Wednesday...The Bisons went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position Wednesday, with 8 men left on base...The series concludes Thursday afternoon, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment