IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Buffalo at Pawtucket

April 27, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons open up an eight-game road trip with the first of a four-game series with the Pawtucket Red Sox from McCoy Stadium (7:05 p.m.). Fresh off a rainout and an off day, the Bisons will turn to RHP Adam Miller tonight. Miller did not earn a decision in Buffalo's 6-5 win over Toledo last Friday despite striking out a season-high seven. Pawtucket will counter with LHP Jon Lester, who is making his first start at Triple-A this season.

RUNNING HERD: The Bisons are tied for second in the International League with 20 steals. At this pace, the Herd would steal 192 bases on the year, more than twice their total from a season ago (80 in 2006, 11th in the IL). Buffalo has only been caught stealing three times for an 87.0% success rate. Ben Francisco leads the Herd with six steals (T4th in the IL).

RED HOT BAT: Franklin Gutierrez comes into tonight's game riding a seven-game hit streak. Since April 16, the outfielder has averaged .424 (14-33) with nine runs scored, three doubles, a home run and three RBI. The last six of his games played, Gutierrez has collected multi-hit efforts, with a season-high three hits (2R, RBI) on Friday in Toledo. The stretch has raised his season average to .366, the third highest mark in the International League.

RUNS APLENTY: The Bisons have scored 76 runs in 15 games this season. At 5.1 runs per game, the Herd offensive is second to only to Ottawa (5.5R/G) in the International League in scoring. Buffalo's .261 team batting average is fourth in the IL.

WEATHER WORRIES: Mother Nature has come back to haunt the Herd again. After playing on eight consecutive days, April 15-22, the Bisons have played just one game over the last four days. The team was suspended on Monday, rained out on Wednesday and had an off day yesterday. With 15 games in the books, only Rochester (12) has played less than Buffalo in 2007.

CHART TOPPER: Outfielder Ben Francisco is back to where he was all last season, near the top of the International League offensive charts. Francisco enters play today tied for fourth in the league with six doubles and with six stolen bases. He's also tied for eighth with 12 runs scored and tied for ninth with 11 walks.

IRON MEN: Infielder Keith Ginter and outfielder Ben Francisco are the only two Bisons to have played in all 15 of the team's games so far this season. The two have combined for 17 runs scored, 14RBI and 23 walks.

Adam Miller

-Last Outing (4/20 @TOL): (ND, 5.0IP, 5H, 5R, 4ER, 4BB, 7K), Bisons' 6-5 win.

-2007 with Bisons: (2-0, 4.00) (18.0IP, 21H, 9R, 8ER, 6BB, 15K).

-2006 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year...Indians #1 Prospect by Baseball America.

-2006 w/ Bisons: (0-0, 5.79) (1G, 4.2IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 4K).

-2006 w/ Akron(AA): (15-6, 2.75) (26G, 153.2IP, 129H, 56R, 47ER, 43BB, 157K).

-Led the Eastern League in wins (15), 2nd in ERA (2.75), 3rd in strikeouts (157).

-Selected in the 1st round (31st overall) of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from April 27, 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