IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Pannone Strikes out Nine, Burns Homers Twice in 9-3 Win over Mets

Published on June 29, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


What a week it's been if you're Thomas Pannone.

On Monday, Pannone started the work week on a high note when he recorded his first win as a Bison on the road against Pawtucket, just 20 minutes away from his hometown of Cranston, RI. Fast forward to Saturday night at Sahlen Field where he accomplished the same feat - this time wearing the home colors.

In just his ninth career start for Buffalo, the southpaw threw his best outing to date, striking out a team-high nine batters over six innings to lead his team to a 9-3 victory over the Syracuse Mets.

Tying his career-high by throwing 102 pitches (69 strikes), Pannone started things off on the right foot with a big 4-0 lead behind him after the second inning. Besides an error and a walk to start the third inning, Pannone retired nine of his first 11 batters, ending that frame with a big strikeout against Aaron Altherr.

His only blip coming in the fourth inning - a 2-out RBI single from Rene Rivera for their only run until the eighth- Pannone dominated the rest of the night, throwing an eight-pitch frame in the fifth where recording his second pair of back-to-back strikeouts.

Then, in the sixth, Pannone recorded his final 'K' of the evening, retiring Danny Espinosa on only three pitches. He got out of the Mets' pressure with a fielder's choice groundout to end the frame. In addition to the strikeouts, Pannone allowed only three hits and walked only two batters as part of the Herd's eighth straight home win.

Similar to recent history, the Herd's success at the plate once again complimented the pitching unit's performance, who - consisting of Pannone and relievers Corey Copping and Kirby Snead - combined for a 12 strikeout, 5-hitter.

After going down in order in the first inning, Buffalo shifted the game's momentum with their big second inning against Mets starter Anthony Kay with a critical series of events. With Patrick Kivlehan on base after his walk, Richard Urena sparked the team with a one-out RBI double to left-center field for the 1-0 lead. This was followed by back-to-back home runs from Reese McGuire and Andy Burns.

His third of the season, McGuire brought home Urena on a 2-0 count with a moon-shot to right field. The damage wasn't over yet though as Andy Burns went yard one batter later with a solo home run for the 4-0 lead.

The third baseman wasn't done yet though as he sent another baseball again to left centerfield in his at-bat in the sixth. Now with eight on the season, Burns' second homer of the night made him the fifth different player with a multi-home run game this season.

The game was then put well out of reach in the seventh when Socrates Brito ripped a two-run triple to right field, allowing Alen Hanson and Bo Bichette to score for the 7-1 lead. Buffalo's scoring outburst ended in the eighth following Jordan Patterson's RBI single and McGuire's sacrifice hit.

For the Mets, Gregor Blanco had a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning while Rivera added one of his own in the ninth.

BISONS NOTES: With the victory tonight, the Bisons recorded their first 20-win month since May 2005 when they finished 22-7... The Herd have won 18 of their last 23 games since June 6... With his two home-run outing, Burns became the first to do so since both Jonathan Davis and Patrick Kivlehan had their own two-homer nights against Pawtucket on June 24... Pannone's nine strikeout performance eclipses Sean Reid Foley's previous mark of eight, which he accomplished twice and most recently against Indianapolis on June 18... The Herd's pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts for their second straight multi-strikeout performance... With his 2-RBI night, Brito now leads the team with 34 RBI... Tonight, the Bisons celebrated "Baseball Movie Night." Field of Dreams star Dwyer Brown was on hand for the festivities... The Bisons continue their weekend series with the Mets tomorrow afternoon as part of Autograph Day. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from June 29, 2019


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