IL1 Buffalo Bisons

LeBlanc, Bisons, Squeeze out 2-1 Win against Chiefs

Published on May 7, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Bisons edged out the Syracuse Chiefs on Saturday 2-1, thanks to a great start by Wade LeBlanc. It was Dog Day at Coca-Cola Field, and the hounds may have brought the Herd some luck, as Buffalo's victory ends a four game winless drought.

Wade LeBlanc put in a strong outing for the Herd, as the lefty hurled seven shutout innings, racking up six strikeouts. After surrendering back-to back singles with one out in the first, LeBlanc settled down by striking out the next two hitters, while allowing only four more hits through the next six innings. He improves to 3-1 on the season, and lowers his ERA to 2.73.

"Wade LeBlanc did a great job, seven shutout innings," manager Gary Allenson said after the game. "He's done a really good job, he's not a guy who throws it by you, but he keeps you off balance, and when you do that, good things happen."

Matt Dominguez broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, connecting for a solo home run to left field for his third homer of the season. Junior Lake drove in Alexi Casilla with a RBI fielder's choice in the sixth for the Bisons' second run. The two runs on only five hits proved to be just enough for Buffalo on Saturday.

"It's time we start banging the ball around," Allenson said. "We just can't seem to break through with multiple runs in an inning, but it doesn't matter when you get a start that we got from LeBlanc."

Relieving LeBlanc on the mound was Chad Jenkins, who worked a scoreless eighth inning, before running into trouble in the ninth. Jenkins allowed a single to Caleb Ramsey, and Trea Turner reached first on a passed ball following a strikeout. Turner came across to score on a Brendan Ryan RBI single, cutting the Bisons' lead to 2-1. Colt Hynes emerged from the bullpen to retire Brian Goodwin with a long fly out to center to end the game.

Minor League veteran Paolo Espino looked impressive in his start for Syracuse, allowing just two earned runs and four hits. The righty threw an economical 84 pitches, pitching to contact, while striking out only two hitters. His record falls to 1-3 in 2016.

The Bisons will wrap up their four game series with Syracuse on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Roberto Hernandez is scheduled to make his third start of the year for the Herd, and will match up against Chief's starter A.J. Cole. Buffalo then heads to Durham for a four game series, and will take on the Bulls for the first time this season. Monday's game starts a seven game road trip for the Herd.

BISONS NOTES:

Infielder Shane Opitz was called up to the Bisons from Double-A New Hampshire before Saturday's game. Reliever Bobby Korecky was placed on the disabled list. His spot in the bullpen filled by Ryan Tepera, who was optioned by the Blue Jays on Friday... David Adams singled in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He is now hitting .545 over his last 10 ballgames... Wade LeBlanc's seven shutout frames is the longest shutout performance by a Bisons' starter this season.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics

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International League Stories from May 7, 2016


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