Pridie, Bisons Out-Slug Yanks, 11-7
The Bisons went 4-2 in their first stay at Coca-Cola Field this season, earning a split of their four-game set with the Yankees.
In a back-and-forth affair, Pridie was at the heart of the Bisons attach all day. His three-run homer in the fifth inning gave Buffalo the 3-1 advantage. After Scranton/Wilkes-Barre built a 6-3 lead on homers from Chad Huffman and Jesus Montero, Pridie doubled to deep center to plate Ruben Tejada and close the deficit to two. Two batters later, the Bisons' centerfielder scored when Fernando Martinez launched a three-run homer into the Heron's Landing Party Deck.
The Bisons' 7-6 lead didn't last long, however, as Herd-killer Eduardo Nunez singled home a run in the top of the eighth inning. The Yanks' infielder had nine hits in the four-game series against Buffalo.
But Pridie and his Bisons' teammates went back to work in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs and Alex Cintron on second base, Pridie looped a single into center for the go-ahead run. Yankees reliever Kevin Whelan then walked Josh Thole and hit Martinez to load the bases. Mike Hessman provided the knockout blow with a three-run double off the wall in left field.
Pridie finished the game 4-5 with a double, a home run, five RBI, three run scored and his team-leading fourth stolen base. Along with Thole, Martinez and Hessman, the top four in the Bisons' lineup combined to go 9-15 with seven runs scored, 11RBI, three doubles, two home runs and four walks.
The win for Buffalo went to Elmer Dessens (3-0), although it may have been costly. Dessens left the game one batter into the ninth inning after landing awkwardly on a strikeout pitch to Huffman. The Bisons' closer, who pitched an inning of relief before the injury, will be reevaluated tomorrow.
Pat Misch started for Buffalo and allowed three runs in 5.2 innings of work. He did not earn a decision for the third consecutive start to begin the season.
BISONS NOTES: After the game, Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell said that INF Russ Adams is ready to return to the lineup. Adams has been out since Thursday when he suffered a hard takeout slide by Pawtucket's Kevin Frandsen...INF Ruben Tejada finished the game 2-4 with his first two doubles of the season. He also scored two runs...The team activated RHP Tobi Stoner prior to Tuesday's game. Stoner was recalled to the Mets on Sunday to help the bullpen following the 20-inning marathon against the Cardinals.