Abreu Hits Grand Slam, Valdez Homers as WooSox Beat Bisons 8-4 

WORCESTER, M.A. — The Worcester Red Sox (23-14, 62-50) homered twice on the way to an 8-4 win over the Buffalo Bisons (20-17, 54-58) on Saturday afternoon in front of 7,757 at Polar Park.

Donning special uniforms on PawSox Heritage Day, Enmanuel Valdez began the afternoon with a bang, smacking a two-run home run in the first. Valdez now has 13 long balls between Triple-A and Boston, including nine in Worcester.

Buffalo grabbed the lead on a pair of doubles by Addison Barger and Tanner Morris in the third, but from that point on, the WooSox took control of the game.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third and a run in, Wilyer Abreu smashed a go-ahead grand slam to right-center, his 17^th of the season. Including an eighth-inning double to finish his day, Abreu is now 10-for-17 in the series with three home runs and 11 RBI.

That put the home team up 7-3, and they would add an eighth run on a throwing error in the fourth.

With another multi-home run day, the WooSox now lead the International League in homers, with 175 in 112 games.

It was more than enough run support for Worcester starter Brian Van Belle, who posted the longest outing of his Triple-A career. In his sixth start at the level, the right-hander turned in a quality start, tossing six innings of three-run ball with four strikeouts and earning the win.

Justin Hagenman followed out of the bullpen, allowing an eighth inning solo shot to Ernie Clement, before A.J. Politi finished off the day with a runless ninth. The win improves Worcester’s home record to 35-21.

The WooSox continue the six-game series and 12-game homestand on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. against the Buffalo Bisons, affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. On the mound, Rio Gomez (0-0, 3.89) faces Mitch White (0-1, 10.45). Television coverage is on NESN, while radio coverage is live on 98.9 Nash Icon and the WooSox Radio Network.