IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Game Notes vs. Toledo

June 1, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: This evening, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Toledo Mud Hens in the first game of a four-game series from Dunn Tire Park (7:35 p.m.). The Herd is coming off their first losing roadtrip of the season, posting a 3-5 record in Louisville and Indianapolis. Tonight, the Bisons will start RHP Jake Westbrook, who is on a rehab assignment from Cleveland. Westbrook is 1-2 with a 7.90ERA in six games with the Indians this year. He hasn't pitched since suffering a strained left abdominal muscle in a start against Toronto on May 2. The Mud Hens will counter with RHP Yorman Bazardo.

WESTBROOK RETURNS: RHP Jake Westbrook has been one of the top pitchers in the American League over the last three seasons. He's picked up at least 14 wins in each season since 2004, going 44-34 with a 4.01ERA in 99 games. A 2004 AL All-Star selection, Westbrook pitched in parts of three years with the Bisons, going 10-1 with a 3.01ERA in 15 starts, 2001-03.

THE FRANCHISE: Outfielder Ben Francisco is second in the International League in hitting with a .347 average. He has the Bisons longest active hit streak at 13 games. Since May 18, Francisco has hit at a .407 (22-54) clip with five doubles, two home runs, ten RBI and eight runs scored. Francisco is also fourth in the IL in hits (60) and fifth in on-base percentage (.401).

CHOO-CHOO: Buffalo outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is currently on a seven-game hit streak, all of which have been multi-hit performances. Since May 22, Choo is batting .469 (15-32) with a double, two triples, six runs scores, seven RBI, two walks and three stolen bases. The stretch has raised his season average 70 points (.198 - .268) in just nine days.

ROSTER MOVE: Along with RHP Jake Westbrook joining the team, RHP Mike Koplove is back after a three-game stint with the Tribe (4.50ERA, 4.0IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 4K). Koplove began the season with the Bisons and was 2-0 with a 1.00ERA and three saves in 17 games. RHP Jim Ed Warden was also transferred to Akron after going 1-1 with a 7.33ERA in 16 games.

POWER BAT: Infielder Ryan Mulhern currently ranks tied for sixth in the league in home runs (8), fifth in RBI (33), tied for fourth in doubles (15), tied for third in extra-base hits (24) and second in slugging percentage (.560).

ALL-STAR SKIP: The International League announced that Bisons manager Torey Lovullo will be an IL coach for the 20th Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11, 2007. The Bisons have been in first place in the IL North Division since May 5.

Jake Westbrook

-Scheduled to throw 3.0 innings or 50 pitches.

-Last Game w/ CLE (5/2 vTOR): (ND, 1.1IP, 2H, R, ER, 2BB)

-2007 w/ Cleveland: (1-2, 7.90)(6G, 6GS, 27.1IP, 32H, 26R, 24ER, 14BB, 18K).

-2006 w/ Cleveland: (15-10, 4.17)(32G, 32GS, 211.1IP, 247H, 106R, 98ER, 55BB, 109K).

-3CG were T3rd in AL, 2SHO were T1st in AL, Led Indians with 211.1IP.

-2001-03 with Bisons (10-1, 3.01) in 15 starts.

-Acquired in a four-player trade with NY-AL, 7/25/00 (David Justice to NYY).

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International League Stories from June 1, 2007


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