NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons' Battery Shines in 5-1 Win

May 31, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Bisons evened their three game series with the Clippers on Tuesday, besting Columbus 5-1.

A.J. Jimenez and Casey Kotchman both picked up two RBI, but the main focus was starter Drew Hutchison, who pitched pitched 7.1 near perfect innings, allowing just three hits and one run. He earns his first ever win at Coca-Cola Field, with his first win at the Triple-A level coming in his last start against the Clippers in Columbus. Hutchison sat down the first 17 Clippers hitters to begin the game, striking out six through the sixth inning. The righty fanned nine hitters overall.

"I felt pretty good, it took me a little bit to get going, but after the third inning I got into a good groove," Hutchison said postgame. "My slider was good; it was very consistent. I had a good change up tonight too. Overall it was just a good night for our team."

"He had a deceptively good fastball and probably had the best slider he's had all year," Bisons' manager Gary Allenson said postgame of Hutchison. "He got that first Triple-A win out of the way last start, so that helped him relax."

Hutchison and Columbus starter Jarrett Grube both twirled perfect frames through the first three innings. Casey Kotchman doubled down the right field line to put the Bisons into the hit column. Two batters later, A.J. Jimenez plated Kotchman with a RBI single, giving the Herd a 1-0 lead. Grube fanned Domonic Brown to end the inning, stranding runners on second and third.

"I think A.J. should be hitting higher than ninth, but he might want to stay there after getting three hits," Allenson said of his catcher Jimenez. "He's got 17 RBI in 27 games, and anybody in the minor leagues that averages a RBI every two games is pretty good."

In the fourth, Kotchman drove in a pair of runs on a RBI single, scoring Darrell Ceciliani and Matt Dominguez. Dominguez connected for his fifth home run of the year in the sixth, depositing a solo shot over the 404 ft. sign in centerfield. Jimenez made it 5-0 in the inning, bringing home Junior Lake with a single.

Hutchison finally allowed a baserunner in the sixth. The righty yielded back-to-back hits and a walk with two outs, before retiring Tyler Naquin with a fly out to centerfield.

"You got to get lucky to throw a no-hitter, along with having really good stuff," Allenson said. "It makes the manager breathe a little easier when that first hit comes in there, especially if he's got a high pitch count."

With one out in the eighth, Guillermo Quiroz singled and Bryson Myles was hit by a pitch, as Pat Venditte came on to relieve Hutchison. Columbus finally pushed a run across, as Tyler Naquin drove in Quiroz on a groundball to short, which Alexi Casilla fumbled. Venditte then left the bases loaded, striking out Giovanny Urshela.

Jarret Grube ended his line with 7.0 innings, eight hits and three earned runs allowed. He is handed his third loss of the season, and his second straight to the Bisons. Joseph Colon pitched a scoreless eighth in his season debut with the Clippers.

Dustin Antolin pitched a perfect ninth, getting Ronny Rodriguez to pop up to third to end the game.

First pitch for tomorrow's series finale between the Bisons and Clippers is set for an early 10:35 a.m. start time. Scott Diamond takes the mound for the Herd, matched up against Ross Detwiler.

BISONS NOTES:

Dalton Pompey, who left yesterday's game in the second inning after crashing into the centerfield wall, is listed as day-to-day with a bruised knee... A.J. Jimenez went 3-3, and is now 17 for his last 42, having raised his average from .169 on May 15 to .258... Jesus Montero went hitless, snapping his hit streak at nine games... Hutchison struck out nine hitters, passing teammate Wade LeBlanc for the team lead in strikeouts... The 17 straight hitters Hutchison retired to begin the game is the longest stretch of the season for a Bisons' pitcher. The previous high was 12 straight, by Scott Diamond on May 16.


• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from May 31, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central