Bisons win series against Iowa with 2-0 victory Sunday

BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Bisons shut out the Iowa Cubs for the second straight day with an identical 2-0 victory in a rain shortened contest on Sunday afternoon at Sahlen Field.

Troy Watson opened for the Bisons on Sunday afternoon in what was a bullpen game for the team, lasting 2.2 innings. He would not receive a decision despite allowing just three hits without giving up a run. The right hander struck out five to keep Iowa off the scoreboard.

The Bisons had early base runners against I-Cubs starter Dan Straily but failed to convert in the first three innings. Buffalo left six runners on base through three before finally breaking through.

Each of the first three Bisons’ batters reached on base hits in the bottom of the fourth to score as the rains continued to fall in downtown Buffalo. Leo Jimenez single was followed by a Max McDowell infield base hit. Jimenez was plated by a Steward Berroa single through the second base position for a 1-0 lead.

It was followed up by a Spencer Horwitz ground ball double play that resulted in McDowell scoring to double Buffalo’s lead to 2-0.

Connor Cooke was credited with the victory in 1.1 innings of relief of Watson. The young righty left an inherited runner in scoring position in the top of the third and then struck out a pair in the fourth inning. Nick Fraze faced four batters to get three outs in the top of the fifth inning to make the game official.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, the rain fell harder and forced the umpiring crew to call for the tarp to be placed over the infield at Sahlen Field. The game could not resume due to more rain at the ballpark.

The Bisons head out on the road for a six-game road trip against the Indianapolis Indians. The first game of the six-game set will begin at 6:05 p.m. at Victory Field on Tuesday night.