IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Notes

Published on April 11, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Toledo Mud Hens in their 2008 Home Opener at Dunn Tire Park (6:05 p.m.). Tonight's game is the start of a four-game series with the Hens as well as an eight-game homestand. The Herd is coming off a 3-5 roadtrip to begin the 2008 season. On the mound tonight will be LHP Jeremy Sowers. The southpaw went the distance in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against Norfolk but took the loss. Toledo will counter with RHP Chris Lambert.

HOME OPENERS: This is the 21st season of Dunn Tire Park. The ballpark opened on April 14, 1988 with a 1-0 Bisons win over the Denver Zephyrs. Since then, the Herd has gone 13-7 in Home Openers. The Bisons are on a two-game Home Opener winning streak thanks to 10-1 victory over Columbus in 2006 and an 8-3 win over Ottawa on April 9, 2007.

SWEET AND SOWERS: Pitcher Jeremy Sowers was excellent in his first start of the year. The southpaw has the only complete game in the IL this season after he went the distance in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader in Norfolk. He was the hard-luck loser in the first game of the twinbill as he allowed just one earned run and struck out three in the Tides' 2-1 win. In his career with Buffalo, Sowers is 14-7 (.667 winning percentage) with a 2.67ERA in 32 games.

RED-HOT HITTER: Infielder Andy Gonzalez is coming off a great roadtrip to begin the season. He hit in six of the seven games he played in, with a .440 batting average (11-25), five doubles, a homerun and eight RBI. Gonzalez ranks in the top three in the International League in virtually every offensive category including on-base percentage (.533) and slugging percentage (.760).

STRONG START: Infielder Josh Barfield is doing a great job as the Bisons' lead-off hitter. Barfield has reached base safely in all eight games with a .344 batting average (11-32) and a .417 on-base percentage. His 11 hits are tied for the third most in the International League after the first week. Barfield also has four walks, four runs scored and two doubles this year.

THE FRANCHISE: One player that is looking forward to be starting the home portion of the schedule is outfielder Ben Francisco. Last season's IL batting champion has a career .329 batting average in 112 games at Dunn Tire Park. That's the second-highest mark in Bisons Modern Era history, trailing only Kevin Young's .334 average (minimum 250AB).

Jeremy Sowers

-Last Game: 4/6(1) @NOR: (L, CG, 6.0IP, 3H, 2R, ER, 3BB, 3K), Tides' 2-1 win.

-2008 w/ Bisons: (0-1, 1.50ERA)(1GS, 6.0IP, 3H, 2R, ER, 3BB, 3K).

-2007 w/ Bisons: (4-5, 4.10ERA)(15G, 96.2IP, 112H, 56H, 44ER, 24BB, 61K).

-Was with Buffalo, 6/14-end of season (1-6, 6.42ERA, 13GS with Cleveland).

-2006 w/ Bisons: (9-1, 1.39ERA, 15GS): 2006 Bisons Most Valuable Pitcher.

-2006 w/ Cleveland: (7-4, 3.57ERA, 14GS): first Major League Promotion, 6/23/06.

-Selected in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft

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International League Stories from April 11, 2008


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