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Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Beat 'Pigs 3-2, Split Series at Two Apiece

August 29, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


In the final meeting of the season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Bisons edged the 'Pigs 3-2 on Monday. Buffalo evens the four-game set with Lehigh Valley at two wins apiece, in what is the second-to-last home series of the year at Coca-Cola Field.

A solid start for Casey Lawrence, and RBI from Andy Burns, Erik Kratz and Casey Kotchman were key to the Herd's victory. Kotchman went 3-3 with a hit by a pitch, adding a RBI in the fifth and an 11-pitch single in the bottom of the eighth.

The Bisons went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first, when Andy Burns knocked a solo home run off Lehigh Valley starter Nick Pivetta. Buffalo did not relinquish the lead all game, adding two more runs, while holding the IronPigs, a team in the top-3 in the IL in RBI, home runs and runs scored, to seven hits and one walk.

The Herd loaded the bases in the fourth, when catcher Erik Kratz picked up his first RBI of the season, lining a single into leftfield. Kotchman was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play as well, but Buffalo still added to their lead, making it 2-0.

An infield single and an error brought two runners on against Casey Lawrence in the third. A beautifully turned double play initiated by shortstop Jio Mier ended the threat.

The IronPigs got on the board in the top of the fifth. Following a leadoff single by Cam Perkins, Cedric Hunter reached first and Perkins moved to third after a ball dropped in front of right fielder Darrell Ceciliani. The Bisons traded a run for two outs, as Jesmuel Valentine bounced into a double play which hit off the mound, making it 2-1 Buffalo. Lawrence stranded a runner on third in the inning, getting Taylor Featherston to chase a 3-2 slider out of the zone, ending the frame.

In the fifth, for the second straight inning, Buffalo loaded the bases. Pivetta was removed with the bases loaded after 4.2 innings. Patrick Schuster entered, and plunked Kotchman with the bases juiced, making it 3-1 Bisons. A batter later, Junior Lake was retired to end the inning, as Cody Ashe made a leaping grab in leftfield.

Lehigh Valley catcher Logan Moore grounded out with a runner on third in the top of the seventh, as the score moved to its final line of 3-2 in favor of the Herd.

Lawrence went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, notching five strikeouts and walking just a lone batter. He improves to 5-5 at Triple-A in 2016.

"Once again, he's been outstanding," Bisons' manager Gary Allenson said of Lawrence. "He's been our best starter since the All-Star break, and probably a little bit before then."

After three rough starts with Buffalo in April, Lawrence was sent to Double-A New Hampshire, where he posted a 4.56 ERA in 13 starts. Since returning to the Herd on July 5, Lawrence is 5-3 with a sub-3.00 ERA.

"I went down to Double-A and put in a lot of work with pitching coach Vince Horsman," Lawrence said. "I just worked on a couple mechanical things and helped with a little uptick in velocity. So I've been able to pitch a little bit differently here."

"He mixes his pitches," Allenson said of Lawrence. "He pitches at the knees very well, very effectively, and mixed it up just enough. When you throw the ball on the outer half down around the knees, it's tough to put a good swing on the ball."

Following Lawrence was Ryan Tepera, who stranded the tying run on first coming in for the eighth. The team-leader in saves recorded three straight outs, including two strikeouts, after allowing a leadoff single. Tepera notched his 18th save in a row in the ninth, tossing a one-two-three inning.

Pivetta is handed his second loss at Triple-A this year, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out five.

The Bisons welcome in the playoff-bound Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday, for the beginning of the final home series of the year at Coca-Cola Field. Scott Copeland will take the bump for Buffalo, and he is scheduled to be opposed by Jordan Montgomery. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

BISONS NOTES: Darrell Ceciliani now has a 11-game hitting streak and a 17-game on-base streak... Jesus Montero also extends his on-base streak to 19 games... Casey Lawrence now has allowed three or less earned runs in eight of his last nine starts.

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International League Stories from August 29, 2016


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