Biggio homers, Zeuch strong in Bisons 5-2 win over Syracuse

Using a couple of Toronto Blue Jays on rehab assignments and pairing them with T.J. Zeuch and the red-hot Bisons’ bats, Buffalo dominated the Mets 5-2 on Sunday in the series finale from Trenton Thunder Ballpark.

Zeuch, originally scheduled to start Sunday, took over after Thomas Hatch threw two shutout innings and Cavan Biggio launched a home run and pitched the final seven innings masterfully allowing two runs and seven runs to earn the win.

Zeuch was economical all afternoon throwing just 83 pitches and using no more than 16 pitches in an inning. Zeuch struck out just one batter but induced nine groundouts and six flyouts to earn his first win of the season.

“He was outstanding,” said Bisons’ manager Casey Candaele. “The plan was to get two innings or 30 pitches for Hatch to back on the mound, and then TJ to come in and basically kind of start and then go as long as he could, and he did a great job.”

Third baseman Cavan Biggio, also on a rehab assignment, was entered into a red-hot Bisons’ lineup who kept the base paths busy all afternoon producing 12 hits and 20 baserunners in the game and getting at least one hit in seven innings.

Cavan’s stint with the Bisons began with a bang as he drove a two-strike fastball to straightaway center field for a home run to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

“It's always a good feeling to want to step up and hit one over the fence,” said Biggio. “So yeah, you just want to put a good spin on it and of course go down and battle a little bit.”

The Bisons opened up the bottom of the fourth inning with four consecutive singles and loaded the bases but failed to score. The closest chance came on a Tyler White single into right. Kevin Smith raced to the plate from second base and appeared to beat the throw sliding past the plate in the catcher quickly hopping to his feet thinking he had scored. Mets’ catcher Martin Cervenka quickly tagged the standing after Smith who had touched Cervenka’s foot instead of home plate.

“I definitely think that is a play that would have to be reviewed and to be seen that way,” said Candaele. “Because I can say that he got through it and Kevin definitely said he got to the plate.”

The Mets’ starter Jesus Reyes pitched opposite Zeuch worked into the sixth inning for the second time in the series, successfully navigating the Bisons’ lineup for five innings allowing just one run.

However, things fell apart for Reyes in the sixth as the heart of the Bisons got the bats rolling again and loaded the bases with a walk, two hits and only one out. Logan Warmoth finally broke through for the Bisons with a sacrifice fly to centerfield for his 10th RBI of the year. Dilson Herrera followed up with a bloop single into right field to give the Bisons a 3-1 lead.

In addition to the timely offense, Herrera had Zeuch’s back at second base all night including an incredible leaping throw to first in the fifth inning.

The Bisons loaded the bases again in the seventh and Graterol took advantage lining a single into right field. The hit added a pair of insurance runs and boosted the lead to 5-1.

With the win, the Bisons (15-13) split the six-game series with the Mets (11-19) and are four games back of the Triple-A East Northeast division leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders headed into an off-day.

The Bisons will remain at their home away from home at Trenton Thunder Ballpark for a six-game series with the RailRiders beginning Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.