Overton Impresses in Bisons’ 7-3 Win Over Red Wings

The Bisons managed to pick up their fourth consecutive win on Saturday night after defeating the Rochester Red Wings, 7-3, from Trenton Thunder Ballpark.

The Bisons got out in front of the Red Wings early in this game with a Cullen Large RBI in the bottom of the third. Scoring first isn’t new for the Herd, they have scored first in eight of their eleven games this season, holding on to win seven of those eight games.

Connor Overton was a big reason they held onto that early lead in this game. Overton allowed just two hits during his six innings on the mound, earning his first win of the season. Those two hits came in the first and second innings of the game, meaning Overton held the Red Wings hitless for four straight innings. Overton was dialed in while on the mound, throwing 47 strikes on 63 pitches.

Despite Overton’s great start on the mound, his most impressive play came in the top of the 6th when a ball was hit right back up the middle. Overton bare-handed the hard-hit ball and fired it to first to secure the out for the Herd.

Overton then handed the ball over to Curtis Taylor in the top of the 7th, who made his Triple-A debut in this game. Taylor overwhelmed the Red Wing’s batters with his good velocity and sharp slider, striking out five batters in two innings and allowing no earned runs.

The Bisons’ pitchers have dominated so far in this series, giving up three earned runs in the past 36 innings. The Herds’ hitting hasn't been shabby either, outscoring the Red Wings 30-12 in the series so far.

It took some time for the Herds’ bats to get going in this one but once they did, the runs poured on. The Herd batted 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position and scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh. Kevin Smith was a big part of that going 2-for-4 at the plate and knocking in a run on two separate occasions.

Breyvic Valera continues to shine for the Herd. Valera went 3-for-5 at the plate and is now batting .359 on the season. Cullen Large and Juan Graterol also have some impressive statistics of their own. Large has reached base safely in all ten games he has played this season, good for a .386 on-base percentage. Graterol extended his hitting streak to six games with a single of his own in the bottom of the 8th.

The Bisons (8-3) take on the Red Wings (2-9) for their final game of the series, tomorrow at 1 pm.