Buffalo Outhits Chiefs But Loses 3-1

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, outhit their opponent, 8-5, Friday night, but it wasn't enough to win, as the Syracuse Chiefs pulled out a 3-1 victory to begin a four game series.

The Chiefs got on the board first, getting a leadoff double from Jorge Padilla. The centerfielder advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Kory Casto.

That was all the damage Syracuse would do to Bisons starter Casey Fossum. The veteran turned in the best strikeout performance by a Buffalo pitcher this year, K'ing nine Chief's batters. Fossum finished with a six inning outing, allowing just three hits, the one run, and nine strikeouts.

The Herd provided some run support for Fossum in the sixth inning, drawing a leadoff walk to Nick Evans. The first baseman advanced to third on two infield singles from Robinson Cancel and Jonathon Malo. Argenis Reyes picked up the RBI, grounding out to second.

The stalemate was broken in the eighth inning. Tied at one, Syracuse put Ryan Langerhans aboard with a one-out walk. Jorge Padilla followed that with a single. Casto drove Langerhans home with a sacrifice fly to left. The threat continued into the next batter when former Met Lastings Milledge doubled to right-center. The extra-base hit plated Padillo and provided an insurance run, 3-1.

Offensively for the Bisons, catcher Robinson Cancel went 2-4 with two singles. Cory Sullivan reached twice for the Herd, doubling to left in the third and reaching on an error, before being thrown out, in the fifth. Buffalo stranded 10 runners in the game.

The Bisons and Chiefs play game two of their series tomorrow at 2:00. Brandon Knight deals for Buffalo. Craig Stammen will throw for Syracuse.

--the herd--