IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Notes

Published on April 14, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons host the Toledo Mud Hens for the final game of a four-game series from Dunn Tire Park (1:05 p.m.). The Herd will need a win today to earn a split of the series after Toledo's 6-4 victory yesterday. The Bisons are currently on an eight-game homestand as Syracuse will come to Buffalo for the start of a four-game series on Tuesday. On the mound today is LHP Aaron Laffey. The southpaw suffered his first loss of the year on Wednesday in a 9-6 defeat in Richmond. Toledo will counter with RHP Virgil Vasquez.

NO JOKE: LHP Aaron Laffey saw his impressive streak come to an end last Wednesday. Dating back to last year, the southpaw had won 10 consecutive decisions with the Bisons before he allowed six runs in five innings to Richmond. The last time he had lost at the Triple-A level prior to that was May 28, 2006 against Indianapolis. In between, Laffey went 10-0 in 14 games pitched.

THE FRANCHISE: Outfielder Ben Francisco is starting to get in rhythm at the plate. He's hit in all three games of this homestand, with a .455 batting average (5-11). That includes hitting a double and a triple in a 3-4 performance yesterday. In his career, Francisco has a .333 average in 115 games in Dunn Tire Park. That is just one point behind Kevin Young (.334) for the highest batting average in the 21-year history of the park.

BULLY FOR THE PEN: The Bisons bullpen has also enjoyed the home field advantage. The combination of RHP Tom Mastny, LHP Rich Rundles and RHP Edward Mujica did not allow an earned run over 3.1 innings yesterday. The trio also stranded a combined four inherited runners. In the three games against Toledo, the bullpen has not allowed an earned run in 10.1 innings with 15 strikeouts and only nine hits allowed.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Ryan Mulhern has lived up to that title so far this season. In his first seven starts as the team's DH, he has hit .333 (8-24) with six RBI. Last season, Mulhern led the Bisons in doubles, home runs and RBI and was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Aaron Laffey

-Last Game: 4/9 @RIC: (L, 5.0IP, 11H, 6R, 6ER, 1BB, 2K), Braves' 9-6 win.

-2008 w/ Bisons: (1-1, 5.40ERA)(2GS, 10.0IP, 17H, 7R, 6ER, 2BB, 7K).

-2008 Spring (CLE): (0-1, 7.62ERA)(5G, 13.0IP, 15H, 11R, 11ER, 11BB, 8K).

-2007 w/ Bisons: (9-3, 3.3.08)(16G, 96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K).

-2007 Bisons Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher (Buffalo 13-3 when he pitched).

-2007 Indians Bob Feller Minor League Pitcher of the Year (13-4, 2.88ERA).

-Selected in the 16th round (468th overall) of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

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International League Stories from April 14, 2008


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