Struggles continue for Buffalo in 11-5 loss

Coming off a disappointing 6-5 loss in the opener of a four-game set with Durham, where a late 9th-inning rally fell just short, the Bisons looked for a quick turnaround Saturday night.

But the Bulls scored early and often, using three big innings to doom the Herd. It all added up to an 11-5 victory for Durham, sending Buffalo back to the .500 mark on the season at 38-38. The Bisons have now lost 9 of 10.

Durham jumped out of the gate early, scoring three in the 1st to quickly grab momentum and take the early edge. The Bulls started the game homer-single-homer to take the 3-0 lead before the Bisons even knew what hit them.

Although the Herd held Durham scoreless in the second inning, the Bulls were at it again in the bottom of the third. It would be a home run that again doomed Buffalo, as Brandon Allen launched a three-run shot off Buffalo starter Collin McHugh.

In his second start for Buffalo after being called up from Double-A Binghamton, McHugh made it through five innings, giving up the six runs on just four hits. All of McHugh's runs allowed came by way of home runs.

The final nail in Buffalo's coffin came in the sixth, after Jenrry Mejia relieved McHugh. Recently converted into a reliever role, Mejia has struggled to become accustomed to his new position, and Saturday was no different. Mejia gave up a homer to the first batter he faced - again Allen - giving Durham the 7-0 lead.

Things would only deteriorate from there. After forcing Matt Mangini to ground out, Mejia allowed two singles, a walk, and a wild pitch. At that point Mejia was taken out of the game and relieved by Elvin Ramirez, who was sent back to Buffalo - from New York - earlier this week.

The inning ultimately ended with Durham ahead 11-0, and Buffalo's return back to the .500 mark was all but a formality at that point.

The Herd did get on the board late, scoring five over the last three innings - but it was too little, too late.

The third game of the four-game set takes place Sunday night, with game time slated for 5:05 pm ET.

Bisons Notes: Despite the six-run loss, the Herd equaled Durham in hits, with ten apiece...Fernando Cabrera had a solid outing for Buffalo, pitching the last two innings and allowing no runs on just two hits...Four Bisons had multi-hit games Saturday (Lewis, Satin, Reyes, and Emaus)...Lewis' 2-for-4 effort improved his team-leading batting average to .285