Bisons split twinbill with PawSox
The best way to rebound from the end of a winning streak is to start another one.
The Bisons fell a game shy of matching their longest win streak in the modern as they split a doubleheader with the Pawtucket Red Sox on Thursday afternoon from Coca-Cola Field. The PawSox snapped Buffalo's nine-game stretch of wins with an 8-3 victory in the afternoon's first contest before the Herd picked up a 4-0 decision in the nightcap.
The Bisons entered play on Thursday riding a nine-game win streak, having not lost since splitting another doubleheader on April 14 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The streak was one shy of the team's modern era record set during the 2002 season and matched in 2004.
For a while, it looked like the wheels were in motion for win #10. Buffalo starter Dave Bush retired the first 13 batters he faced and Mauro Gomez and Ryan Langerhans clubbed home runs for a 3-0 Herd lead.
But the wheels fell off in the sixth as Pawtucket sent 10 men to the plate to score eight runs. After a swinging bunt and a Buffalo error, Drew Sutton hit a two-run double past a diving Moises Sierra in right. Jeremy Hazelbaker and Dan Butler followed with three-run and two-run homers respectively to put an end to the Bisons winning streak.
However, the Bisons didn't wait long to get back to their winning ways. Mike McCoy homered off the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning of 4-0 victory in game two.
Luis Jimenez also homered in the first inning, giving the slugger 21 RBI on the season. The total is tied for the most in the International League.
Pitcher Ramon Ortiz cleared waivers and was activated to start game two. The veteran tossed five innings of two-hit ball in his return to the Bisons. He allowed just four base runners.
BISONS NOTES: Before the doubleheader, the Blue Jays recalled RHP Brad Lincoln off the Bisons roster. Buffalo activated RHP Clint Everts from Double-A New Hampshire. Everts threw a shutout inning in relief in game one…Bobby Korecky pitched two innings of shutout relief to close out the game two win.