PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Chip Ambres of the Bisons, acquired in a trade with Boston on June 10, unloaded on his old team with a pair of home runs in the Herd's 3-1 win over Pawtucket before 8,311 at McCoy Stadium.

The 29-year-old outfielder was in a 1-for-31 slide in his last 10 games. He found his stroke

Thursday as he unloaded a two-run home run into the Pawtucket bullpen in the fourth inning

with Jesus Feliciano aboard and added a two-out solo shot to left field in the eighth. They

were his third and fourth home runs since being traded. Box score

"When you're in a slump, it's very difficult to stay focused," said Ambres. "I've been

hitting balls on the nose and just haven't had any luck. On one swing you get one [hit] and

then a bunch of them will start come. I guess that's what happened tonight. I had good swings

and I felt good up there. You want to take advantage of those days when you feel good."

The four-game trip also got off to a big start for Bisons pitcher Nelson Figueroa (5-4),

who went eight strong innings for his fifth win in a row. He gave up just three hits and

recorded a season-high nine strikeouts. He threw 81 of his 119 pitches for strikes and at one

point retired 13 in a row. It was the third time this season he's pitched into the eighth.

"The way he pitched tonight is the way he's pitched all year," said Bisons manager Ken

Oberkfell. "He's had quality start after quality start and we haven't scored him any runs.

He's lost a lot of 2-1, 1-0 games. He's solid. He's been solid all year. He's been pretty much

lights out for the last two months."

Brandon Knight, a starter most of the season, pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first

save.

The two-game set concludes at 7 tonight (Radio 1520 AM). Tobi Stoner (1-2, 5.75) is the

scheduled starter for the Herd.

Meanwhile, the Mets recalled infielder Argenis Reyes from the Herd to replace Fernando

Martinez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right knee. The

move is retroactive to July 4.

The 20-year-old Martinez is hitting .176 with a home run and eight RBIs in 91 at-bats. He

joins eight other Mets on the DL, including Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran.