Pillar powers Herd to victory

Kevin Pillar's monster shot gave Buffalo a 3-0 start for the third straight game leading them to victory over the Rochester Red Wings by the score of 3-2 Sunday at Coca-Cola Field.

In a contest where there wasn't much run producing, Pillars homer proved to be the difference in the game to give Buffalo its fourth win in its last five games.

"We all enjoy playing with each other," Pillar said on the team's recent winning ways. "It's easy for me to come back here. There are a lot of guys I'm comfortable with. I just want to be a part of the team contributing."

Pillar must have learned a thing or two from Jose Bautista in his 24-game stint with the Blue Jays. Pillar showed his power in the third. After Anthony Gose singled in Ryan Goins, Pillar unleashed a bomb off Red Wings starter Sean Gilmartin. The two-run shot left the ballpark when it cleared the 60-foot screen in left to open the scoring.

"He's been on a mission since he signed. He wants to make a statement to other teams for drafting him so low," said manger Gary Allenson. "He's going to really help a team win."

Rochester cut the three-run lead to within one after a couple hits by Chris Colabello. Colabello singled to center to bring in Doug Bernier after Bernier singled to center himself and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the fifth. Colabello hit his second RBI when he doubled to left in the seventh. The ball ripped down the third base line letting Chris Herrmann to score from first.

On the mound, P.J. Walters had a sharp Herd debut, limiting Rochester's talented run producing ability. Prior to be called up from Double-A New Hampshire yesterday, Walters posted a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA. He appeared 40 times in the Majors with a record of 6-10. The former Red Wing hurler allowed just one run off six hits while striking out four in his five innings, finishing the game with a 1.80 ERA.

With a thin bullpen, the Bisons used three relief pitchers throughout the game in the win. John Stilson relieved Walters when he started the sixth. Stilson allowed two hits and an earned run in his two innings of work, setting up Ryan Tepera in the eighth and Bobby Korecky in the ninth to close it out.

The two teams will close out their series tomorrow with a 7:05 pm start. Esmil Rogers will be on the hill for Buffalo while Alex Meyer gets the start for Rochester.

Bisons Notes:
Brad Glenn extended his hitting streak to seven games with a singe to right in the second. Pillar and Ryan Goins were the only batters in the lineup with multi-hit performance on Sunday. Pillar was two for four with a homer. Goins went two for three with a double and scoring in the third. The Bisons are now 5-1 against Rochester with the win Rochester is now 2.5 games behind Buffalo in the Thruway cup standings.