Bisons Fall in Spring Opener, 5-4

The Buffalo Bisons were defeated today, 5-4, by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins) in their 2011 Spring Training Opener.

The Bisons will play 13 games this spring before breaking camp and heading up to Buffalo for the start of the 126th season of professional baseball in Buffalo.

On the mound, RHP JOSH STINSON tossed three scoreless innings for Buffalo. The 23-year old was 2-2 with a 2.57ERA in four starts with the Herd a season ago.

OF VALENTINO PASCUCCI was 1-2 with an RBI while OF FERNANDO MARTINEZ finished the game 1-3. Pascucci clubbed 17 homers with the Bisons a season ago while Martinez has 20 home runs over parts of two seasons with the Herd.

There are just 21 days until the Bisons' 2011 Home Opener on Thursday, April 7 against the Syracuse Chiefs (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

-the herd-