Bisons held in check in 6-2 loss to Worcester

With the lead in the series, two games to one, the Bisons came into Friday night at Polar Park looking to take a commanding lead. The Herd failed to do so, struggling to put runs on the board and fell to the Woo Sox, 6-2.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the 4th, Kevin Smith got it started for the Bisons with a lead-off double. Tyler White joined him on base soon after, earning a walk, and the Herd put the tying runs on base with no outs. Christian Colon then sacrificed his at-bat, bunting down the first baseline, moving the runners to second and third with one out. Cullen Large delivered for Buffalo, hitting a double into the right-center field gap, and the Bisons tied the game at two.

The Woo Sox took back the lead in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Jeremy Rivera doubled to right field, scoring one run for Worcester. Yairo Munoz hustled out an infield hit to not only score another run for the Woo Sox but kept the inning alive.

After a walk, the bases were loaded for Jeter Downs, and the prospect made the most of the opportunity, doubling into center field to give Worcester a 6-2 lead over Buffalo.

The Bisons had an opportunity to narrow the lead in the top of the 5th, with runners on first and second with one out. The club failed to take advantage, heading into the bottom of the inning still trailing by four.

The Herd had one last opportunity in the top of the 9th, loading the bases with two outs. Smith failed to cash in for Buffalo, flying out to center field to end the game.

Worcester’s pitchers shutdown the Herd, holding the club scoreless through the final five innings of the game. The Bisons struck out twelve times, scoring two runs on five hits.

Despite some offensive struggles, Smith continued his hitting streak, doubling to the left-field corner in the top of the 4th. The prospect batted 1-for-4 in this game, and now has a hit in 17 consecutive games. Large was also notable, going 2-for-3, with two runs batted in and a walk.

Nick Allgeyer returned to the mound for the Bisons in Saturday night’s game. Allgeyer got four outs before being removed, throwing 41 pitches. The southpaw allowed two earned runs while on the bump.

The Woo Sox made it a point to attack Allgeyer early. Munoz led off for Worcester, and on the second pitch of his at-bat, Munoz doubled to left field. Just two at-bats later, Jeter Downs homered over the left-field fence, giving the Woo Sox an early 2-0 lead over the Bisons.

Connor Overton had a quality outing for the Herd in this one, pitching two innings on the mound, allowing no runs and no hits.

The Bisons (46-27) and Woo Sox (39-35) will continue the series on Saturday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 pm. Bowden Francis is scheduled to start on the mound for Buffalo.