IL Buffalo Bisons

Bisons' Offense Held in Check, Losing 3-0 to Syracuse

Published on August 21, 2021 under International League (IL)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


In yet another tightly-contested game between two Thruway Cup rivals, the Mets defeated the Bisons, 3-0, Saturday night from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse. The Herd was held to just one hit and the Mets hit three out of the ballpark to account for all the offense on the night.

Throughout the first three games of the series, the Bisons and Mets have battled back and forth, playing in close games. This is not new for the two clubs, who have met 21 times this season, 18 of which were decided by three runs or less. That trend continued on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium.

With the two teams tied at zero through three innings, Wilfredo Tovar and David Thompson hit back-to-back home runs off Bisons starter Thomas Hatch in the fourth. Just two at-bats later and with two outs, Cheslor Cuthbert added a solo home run of his own, expanding the Syracuse lead to 3-0.

While the Bisons tallied just one hit, that coming on a Mallex Smith bunt single in the third inning, they actually still threatened to score a number of times in the contest. Herd hitters drew seven walks and Syracuse pitchers also hit five Buffalo batters, giving the Bisons plenty of base runners to work with.

In the bottom of the 5th, the Bisons loaded the bases without a hit as Cullen Large and Nash Knight drew walks and Forrest Wall was hit on the foot with a slider. Logan Warmoth came to the plate looking to deliver for the club but struck out swinging to end the inning.

Yet again Buffalo was given an opportunity to chip away at the Syracuse lead in the bottom of the 7th. The Mets walked Large to start the inning and hit Christian Colon and Juan Graterol on back-to-back pitchers, giving the Herd the bases loaded with no outs. The Syracuse bullpen pulled through yet again, getting the next three Bison hitters out.

The Herd had one last chance in the top of the 9th. With two outs, the Bisons loaded the bases behind two walks and Graterol being hit by a pitch yet again. With the winning run now at the plate, Buffalo had one final opportunity to change the outcome of the game. The Bisons failed to cash in on the opportunity as Warmoth struck out again to end the game.

The Herd was just one or two big hits away from taking this game. The club batted 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, leaving eleven runners on base.

Thomas Hatch started on the mound for the Bisons and looked sharp early. Holding Syracuse scoreless through three innings, Hatch was in control on the bump. The Mets broke the game open in the bottom of the 4th with the right-hander on the mound, but Hatch was able to limit the damage. The right-hander's final stat line included five innings on the mound, surrendering three runs on four hits, with one walk and five strikeouts.

The Bisons (55-36) and Mets (37-55) play the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm. Casey Lawrence is expected to start on the mound for the Herd.

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International League Stories from August 21, 2021


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