Bisons split doubleheader with Durham

The Herd split a doubleheader against the Durham Bulls to open a four-day trip at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Buffalo's seven greater hits against the Bulls in the first game to earned a 5-1 victory, but strong starting pitching from Durham's Enny Romero prevented Buffalo to get a two-game sweep.

It was Buffalo's night in game one. The Herd showcased its offense in the first seven-inning clash. Buffalo was able to outhit Durham 11-4 throughout the ball game.

Buffalo put two across the plate in the fourth to start the game's scoring. Jonathan Diaz plated Cole Gillespie from third after the Herd loaded up the bases with two walks and a single. Adron Chambers followed up with a fielder's choice to score an Andy LaRoche from third to give the Herd a 2-0 lead.

After a one-run fourth for Durham, the Herd ran away with it. Buffalo tacked on two three more in the fifth and sixth innings. Brett Wallace and Gillespie both singled to set runners up at the corners. An Andy LaRoche double to centerfield scored both the baserunners to give the Herd a 4-1 lead.

Darin Mastroianni scored off a Kevin Pillar double after he stole his 18th base of the season to give Buffalo the 5-1 advantage in the sixth.

Four pitchers were needed to give Buffalo the game one victory. Brad Mills started the game and fanned 5 of 9 batters he faced. Kyle Drabek came on in the third to allow one run in 2.2 innings. Steve Delabar followed up with a one-hit sixth. Sergio Santos closed out the seventh to give Buffalo the game one victory.

It was an excellent pitching duel in game two. Durham's Enny Romero faced Buffalo's Kendall Graveman and the two didn't allow much offense, but Romero looked a shade better.

Buffalo's bats were quiet against Romero. The lefty pitched a one-hit shutout against the Herd. Romero hit the gun in the mid and upper 90s all game and eventually topped at 98 mph, making it very tough for any Bisons to make contact. In his seven innings of work, Romero allowed a lone hit and fanned six Bisons hitters.

Graveman didn't have a quiet night either. Graveman showed the same good stuff as he did in his Bisons debut on Saturday when he allowed two runs in six innings. In his six innings of work, Graveman allowed a run off just three hits and struck out four to keep his ERA below three on Thursday.

Graveman had a one-hit shutout until the sixth. Nick Franklin crushed a high fastball over the right wall to put Durham up 1-0 and eventually give the Bulls a game two victory.

The two teams will battle tomorrow night at 7:05 pm. Buffalo's Sean Nolin will be on the hill against Matt Andriese.

Bisons Notes: The Blue Jays have recalled Rob Rasmussen from the Bisons and outrighted outfielder Cole Gillespie. Gillespie played one game with Toronto before being claimed by Seattle off waivers. Kevin Pillar extended his hit streak to 13 games. He smashed a double off the wall to keep his lead in the International League in doubles with 34. Gillespie doubled in game one for his first Bisons hit.