IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Notes

June 2, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Toledo Mud Hens in the second game of a four-game series from Dunn Tire Park (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is looking to bounce back from a 15-3 loss in the series opener on Friday night. To do so, the Bisons will turn to LHP Aaron Laffey. In just his third Triple-A start, Laffey threw a complete game on Monday in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, he was on the short side of a 2-1 decision. Toledo will counter with LHP Corey Hamman.

HE'S NO JOKE: LHP Aaron Laffey was extremely sharp in going the distance against the Indians on May 28. He allowed just a pair of run on six hits, while striking out three. He retired 13 of the first 15 batters he faced, eight via the ground ball. Only a two-out, two-run triple by Rajai Davis in the fifth spoiled his gem. After that, he retired 10 of the final 12 batters in the game.

THE FRANCHISE: Ben Francisco is back at the top of the International League charts with his .350 batting average. The outfielder has hit in 14 straight games, averaging .414 (24-58) since May 18. It's the second longest streak for a Bisons hitter this season (Franklin Gutierrez, 19-games) and the 7th longest in the IL. Francisco is also tied for 4th in the league in hits (62) and 6th in on-base percentage (.403).

CHOO-CHOO: Buffalo outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is currently on an eight-game hit streak. Since May 22, he has averaged .457 (16-35). Choo has also been one of Buffalo's better designated hitters. His last 6 games have been in the DH role and on the year he is hitting .413 (12-29) with 6RBI in 7 starts at designated hitter.

ALWAYS ON: Luis Rivas' on-base streak has reached 18 games. It's the fifth longest active streak in the International League. Since May 11, Rivas has hit .309 (21-68) with 4HR and 7RBI. He has also drawn 15 walks during the stretch to post a .434 on-base percentage. On the year, Rivas' .365 on-base percentage is 3rd on the team (Ben Francisco, .403, Brad Snyder .382).

SOLID RELIEF: LHP Juan Lara has allowed just 1 run in his last 7 appearances out of the pen. Last night, the southpaw threw a season-best three shutout innings. Since May 18, Lara has a 1.04ERA (8.2IP, 5H, R, ER, 3BB, 7K).

ALL-STAR SKIPPER: 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.

Aaron Laffey

-Last Outing: (5/28 @IND): (L, CG, 8.0IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 3K), Indians' 2-1 win.

-2007 with Bisons (0-3, 8.64)(3G, 3GS, 16.2IP, 26H, 16R, 16ER, 5BB, 6K).

-2007 with Akron (4-1, 2.31)(6G, 6GS, 35.0IP, 29H, 13R, 9ER, 7BB, 24K).

-2006 with Akron: (8-3, 3.53)(112.1IP, 121H, 50R, 44ER, 33BB, 61K).

-2006 with Kinston (4-1, 2.18)(41.1IP, 38H, 16R, 10ER, 6BB, 24K).

-2006: 12 Wins, 153.2IP finished 3rd in Indians farm system.

-Selected in the 16th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from June 2, 2007


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