Yanks Come Back to Beat Herd, 5-4
This time things ended a little bit differently, favoring the Yanks. Tonight, Closser's game-tying hit in the ninth was a three-run home run, and the Yankees were able to hold on to win. Last Friday, the game was suspended in bottom of the ninth inning, and when play resumed Saturday afternoon, the Herd held on to win.
Jeff Harris looked as it he would be picking up win number four tonight. The veteran pitcher has thrown for five innings or more in each of his last ten starts with Buffalo. He's continued his consistency going deep into the game, as he is second on the team in innings pitched (76.0).
The Bisons had three consecutive singles, with one out in the third inning, and got their first run off of the fourth from Todd Linden, putting them up 1-1.
After the Yankees tied it back up, 1-1, the Bisons had a huge seventh inning. Michael Aubrey delivered with a bases loaded single, scoring Brad Snyder from third base. Another single from Linden and a fielder's choice from Jordan Brown scored two more for the Herd, as they went up 4-1.
After Bubbie Buzachero gave up only two hits in the sixth and seventh innings, and Jensen Lewis put up another goose egg in the eighth, the Herd turned to closer, Jeff Stevens. Stevens got into a jam, as he looked for his sixth save, with a lead-off walk and a single. Closser then homered to tie the game, but that was followed by another walk and single. Chris Basak was able to hit the ball just deep enough for a sacrifice fly, scoring Nick Green from third base in a close play at the plate.
In last Friday's comeback, the blame was without-a-doubt all on the fog. In tonight's game, however, the Yankees had to work for a win, and were able to step up when they needed it the most.
It was Kei Igawa who picked up the win for the Yanks, as he came on in the seventh to relieve starter, Daniel McCutchen.
After the Bisons swept the Yankees in a three-game series at home, they're now in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hoping the Yanks don't have the same luck at home they had just 24 hours ago. One more left on the Yanks' turf, with the series finale tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.
BISON BITS: The blown save was Steven's second on the season with the Herd.