Ambres powers Herd to win
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.
"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.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments