Early offense not enough for Bisons in 5-2 loss to Worcester

WORCESTER, M.A. – The Buffalo Bisons scored first on Friday night at Polar Park, but the Worcester Red Sox were able to use four unanswered runs to defeat the Bisons 5-2 on Friday night.

Jonatan Clase led off the game with a base hit to the opposite field and was able to use his speed to help set up the first run of the night against Connelly Early. Clase stole second base for his 23rd steal of the season, and despite being hit by the throw on the side of the head, the outfielder advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Michael Stefanic drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Worcester would promptly answer, thanks in part to a leadoff double against CJ Van Eyk. Nick Sogard hit a double off the Worcester Wall in right field. He moved to third on a base hit by Jhostynxon Garcia and scored one batter later on a Kristian Campbell RBI groundout. The tied the game 1-1 through an inning.

Riley Tirotta promptly untied the game in the top of the second inning with his second home run in as many days at Polar Park. Tirotta hit a solo home run with one out against Early an estimated 420 feet for his 11th homer of the season. Buffalo’s first baseman also hit a solo home run late in Thursday afternoon’s contest. Today’s homer gave the Bisons a 2-1 lead in the second inning.

The Red Sox evened the score at two thanks to a pair of doubles in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mikey Romero led off the bottom of the inning with a double to right-center field. He scored two batters later on a Nathan Hickey double to center field. Hickey’s 52nd RBI of the season scored Romero and tied the game 2-2.

Worcester would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, without collecting a base hit against Van Eyk. Campbell walked with one out against the right-hander and advanced from first to third base on a ground ball error of the bat of Nate Eaton. Trenton Wallace came out of the bullpen with one out in the inning and surrendered a sacrifice fly from Trayce Thompson for a 3-2 Red Sox advantage.

Van Eyk worked four and one-third innings in his start, striking out six batters but also allowed five hits and three runs. Only two of the runs were earned against the 26-year-old. Trenton Wallace and Bobby Milacki each worked scoreless relief appearances, while Ryan Jennings allowed a two-run home run to Garcia in the bottom of the eighth to allow Worcester to extend their lead to 5-2.

The Bisons were able to get the first man aboard in the top of the ninth inning when RJ Schreck was credited with a bunt base hit. However, Alex Hoppe was able to get each of the next three batters to preserve the Red Sox three-run lead and victory.

Buffalo’s pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts in the defeat. Van Eyk led with six strikeouts, while all three relievers had at least two against Worcester.

The two teams are scheduled to meet on Saturday afternoon for the fifth game of the six-game series at Polar Park. First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m. with Shane Bieber starting for Buffalo on his Major League injury rehab assignment. You can listen to all of the action on The Bet 1520 AM, the Audacy app, and Bisons.com starting at 3:45 p.m. with the ‘Voice of the Bisons’ Pat Malacaro.