BASEBALL
Bisons back in town after win in Syracuse
SYRACUSE — The Buffalo Bisons return home today on something of a hot streak, at least by their standards.
The Herd recorded its third win in four games Wednesday with a 9-5 victory over Syracuse before 5,622 in Alliance Bank Stadium. Buffalo had lost seven straight games before that.
Michael Aubrey was 3 for 5 as the designated hitter and drove in three runs. He also was one of three players to score two runs.
The Chiefs struck for a pair of runs off starter John Halama (5-2) in the bottom of the first. Kevin Mench had a bases-loaded single to score Danny Sandoval, and Russ Adams grounded into a forceout to bring home Matt Watson.
The Bisons responded with a pair of runs in the top of the third off losing pitcher Mike MacDonald (1-1). Jason Tyner singled to left, and Asdrubal Cabrera hit his third homer of the season.
The Herd took the lead in the top of the sixth with two runs, as the rally started with no on and two outs. Aubrey and Todd Linden singled, and Jordan Brown walked. That brought in Syracuse relief pitcher Sean Stidfole. Chris Gimenez greeted him with a two-run single to make it 4-2.
Buffalo padded its lead in the seventh, when Aubrey’s double drove home Brad Snyder and Andy Gonzales. Syracuse cut the lead to 6-3 on Wayne Lydon’s double.
Halama gave up another run in the bottom of the eighth, on a sacrifice fly by Hector Luna. Halama left after 7c innings, his longest outing of the season. Rich Rundles came on in relief to clean up the eighth.
Then in the ninth, Buffalo scored three times to wrap up the outcome. Aubrey and Linden drove in runs, and a third came home on a wild pitch by relief pitcher Jo Matumoto.
Rundles gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, but held on to finish the game. He earned his first save of the season in the process.
The game marked the Bisons’ debut of former major league infielder Tony Graffanino. He was activated before the game and started at second base. Graffanino was 1 for 2 before being replaced by Gonzalez in the fourth inning.
Meanwhile, relief pitcher Juan Rincon was called up to the Indians. He appeared in four games for the Bisons with a 6.75 ERA.
Buffalo is back home tonight for a 7:05 start against Louisville (Radio 1520 AM). The Herd’s starter is uncertain, while Adam Pettyjohn (7-4) will go for the Bats.
