Crazy eighth stuns Bisons in 8-5 loss
The Toledo Mud Hens scored eight times in the eighth inning to rally past the Bisons, 8-5, on Sunday night at Fifth Third Field. Toledo sent 13 men to the plate in the frame to make quick work of what was a commanding Buffalo advantage.
The loss closes out the Bisons season series with the Mud Hens for 2015. Each club won four times.
The Bisons looked to be in clear waters with a 4-0 lead through seven and a half innings, well on their way to a series win over Toledo. Felix Doubront surrendered just three hits in six shutout innings and Andy Burns' three-run homer in the seventh had given the Herd some breathing room.
But things unraveled quickly for the Bisons. Colt Hynes came on in relief of Gergory Infante and gave up a walk and a double to the two batters he faced. Toledo then strung three straight hits together off Bobby Korecky, including a two-run double from Miguel Gonzalez into centerfield and another run-scoring two-bagger from Xavier Avery to cut the lead to 4-3.
The Mud Hens kept coming, loading the bases and eventually tying the score when former Bison Mike Hessman drew another free pass with no place to put the slugger. Then came the big blow in the inning as Jeff McVaney rolled a grounder through the legs of Burns at third base, allowing Toledo to take their first lead of the game at 6-4.
Luis Perez couldn't stop the bleeding before more damage was done. In relief of Korecky, the southpaw gave up a RBI-double to Jordan Lennerton and Corey Jones sacrifice fly.
All told, Toledo scored eight runs on five hits, four walks and an error in the eighth inning.
Buffalo did rally in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate. Chris Dickerson scored on Burns' double, but Brad Glenn popped out with two on to end the game.
Buffalo was just two for 11 with runners in scoring position.
Korecky took the loss in relief and suffered his first blown save of the season. Doubront worked six innings for the first time all season, striking out three and walking two. The lefty has not allowed an earned run in three starts with the Bisons. Buffalo opens a seven-game homestand on Monday night with a 5:05 p.m. first pitch against the Indianapolis Indians at Coca-Cola Field.