Martin's big night spoiled by Charlotte 5-4 on Wednesday

Charlotte, N.C. - On Wednesday night at Truist Field, Rudy Martin Jr. and the Buffalo Bisons went back and forth with the Charlotte Knights in the second game of a six-game series. Martin hit two home runs but made a costly throwing error in the eighth inning that gifted Charlotte the lead and eventually the victory, 5-4.

After not getting on the board until the ninth inning on Tuesday, the Herd did so in the first inning, with Martin belting a one-out solo home run off Knights starter Jonathan Cannon. It was Martin’s second homer with the Herd, and his first was on August 23 against Lehigh Valley.

Lazaro Estrada got the start for Buffalo, his first since July 29, and he faced the minimum through the first three innings, which was all he worked. He got a double-play ball and was helped by Shawn Ross, who caught his second baserunner trying to steal second in as many games to end the third. Overall, he allowed one hit and one walk and struck out two in this scoreless start.

Pat Gallagher was the first man out of Buffalo’s bullpen for the fourth inning. He issued a leadoff walk, and after a strikeout, Jake Cave struck with a two-run home run to right to put Charlotte up 2-1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Dru Baker doubled with one out, and Rikuu Nishida brought him home with a two-out RBI single, making it 3-1 Knights. Chase Lee replaced Gallagher for Charlotte’s half of the sixth, and he pitched a 1-2-3 inning.

Nick Altermatt stayed on for the eighth inning in relief for Charlotte. Thomas singled with one out, and Martin followed with a game-tying two-run home run, his second long ball of the night. It was his fifth overall of the Triple-A season between Buffalo and Omaha.

With two outs, Davis Schneider went to the opposite field for a solo home run to give the Herd a 4-3 lead. It was his third home run since returning to Buffalo on August 12.

José Rodriguez came on for the bottom of the eighth in relief of Chase Lee, and a pair of hits put men on second and third with one out for Tim Elko, who flied a ball to center field enough to score Nishida from third base. To make matters worse, Martin’s throw was off the line and bounced into the Knights’ dugout, allowing Cave to score from second and give Charlotte the lead back.

Shane Smith was Charlotte’s reliever of choice to close out the game. RJ Schreck walked, but he was erased on a double play, then pinch hitter Yohendrick Piñango was retired on a lineout to end the game.

The Bisons and Knights will play the third game of this six-game set on Wednesday at Truist Field in Charlotte at 7:04 p.m. Buffalo has yet to announce its starting pitcher. You can listen to the action on The Bet 1520 AM, the Audacy app, and bisons.com starting at 6:45 p.m. with Pat Malacaro.