IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Notes

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


***The Bisons must win both of their remaining games and have Norfolk defeat Richmond today and tomorrow to make the 2007 International League Playoffs. The Herd is currently 1.5 games behind the Richmond Braves in the Wild Card standings.

The Richmond/Norfolk game today is in progress (2:00 p.m. first pitch).

TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Rochester Red Wings in the third game of a four-game set from Frontier Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd has won the first two games of the series to keep its playoff hopes alive. On the mound will be RHP Jeff Harris, who lost on Tuesday after pitching on short rest against Syracuse. Rochester will counter with RHP Brian Bass. MUST WIN: This Bisons will know before tonight's first pitch if their playoff hopes are still alive. Buffalo needs Norfolk to defeat Richmond today and tomorrow and the Herd must win two to make the post season. The Braves and Tides play at 2:00 p.m. today.

IN THE CLUBHOUSE: Ben Francisco is now with Cleveland, but still holds the top average in the league. At .318, Francisco will have to see if Rochester's Jose Morales (.313), Columbus' Brandon Watson (.313) or anyone else can catch him with two games left. Francisco would be the Bisons first batting championship since 1990 (Mark Ryal, .334, American Association).

CALL TO ARMS: The Bisons received a pair of relievers today. LHP Rich Rundles and RHP Christopher Niesel were both activated to the roster. For Rundles, this is his fourth stint with the Herd this year. He's 2-4 with a 2.77ERA in 16 total games with Buffalo. Niesel comes from Single-A Kinston where he was 4-1 with a 3.00ERA in 23 games with the K-Tribe.

HIT STREAK: Andy Marte comes into tonight's game with an 11-game hit streak -the longest active streak on the team. Since August 21, he has hit .421 (16-38) with four doubles, three home runs and 11RBI. He has also scored nine runs in the 11-game stretch. Since the beginning of August, Marte has hit .313 (35-112) with six doubles, five home runs and 17RBI.

TO THE OCCASION: If Andy Marte isn't the hottest Bison at the plate, then Mike Rose is. The catcher has homered in four of the last seven games. He is also on a nine-game hit streak where he has averaged .382 (13-34). With three doubles as well, Rose has seven extra-base hits in his last seven games with eight RBI.

SUPER JOE: Joe Inglett continues to be a run-producer in the Bisons' lead off spot. Inglett has driven in 27 runs in his last 22 games. Inglett had 29RBI in his first 83 games of the season.

Jeff Harris

-Last Outing (8/28 vSYR): (L, 5.0IP, 10H, 8R, 8ER, 2BB, 5K), Chiefs' 8-4 Win.

-2007 w/ Bisons: (6-8, 4.74)(26G, 21GS, 133.0IP, 139H, 75R, 70ER, 36BB, 81K).

-2006 w/ Seattle: (0-0, 5.40)(3G, 3.1IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, K).

-2006 w/ Tacoma: (0-3, 5.52)(15G, 4GS, 31.0IP, 43H, 22R, 19ER, 7BB, 13K).

-Was 29-16 with a 3.19ERA in Independent Leagues, 2001-2003.

-Originally a 28th round draft pick by Minnesota in 1995.

-Signed as a free agent, December 13, 2006.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from September 2, 2007


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