Herd Falls On Walk-Off Walk
It was a pitcher's duel and a scoreless stalemate until the 11th inning when Cory Sullivan singled up the middle on a Jose Vaquedano pitch. The center fielder was followed to the plate by Argenis Reyes. With a single already on his day's resume, Reyes sent a ball over the right field fence for his first homer of the season. The hit gave the Bisons a 2-0 lead.
The Red Sox mounted a huge comeback in the bottom of the 11th. The first four batters to face reliever Eddie Kunz reached safely via a hit. Paul McAnulty began the rally with a double to right. Travis Denker then singled. Angel Chavez singled and drove home McAnulty for a 2-1 score. Sandy Madera then pinch hit for catcher John Otness and singled off the shortstop Jon Malo.
With the bases loaded Iggy Suarez went down on strikes. Freddy Guzman then singled to the left side to score Travis Denker and tie the game at two. That brought former Bison Jonathon Van Every to the plate with a chance to win it. The outfielder came through, exercising his vision to draw a walk-off walk.
Both starters took no decisions in outstanding efforts. Buffalo's Dillon Gee went six and one third innings, allowing no runs on three hits, eight strikeouts and five walks. His K total is a season high.
Michael Bowden went eight strong for Ron Johnson's team. The top pitching prospect for the Red Sox, Bowden allowed no runs on three hits while K'ing seven and walking four.
Jesus Feliciano had a fine offensive day for the Herd, walking in the third and doubling in the sixth.
The Bisons and Red Sox will lock horns again Monday for a 7:05 start. Jonathon Niese is scheduled to make his return to the Buffalo mound against Enrique Gonzalez. Niese is back with the Herd after two starts with the New York Mets. The pitching match-up is also a rematch of Opening Day.