IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Pearson Spins Gem in Triple-A Debut, But Herd Falls to Rochester, 4-1

August 21, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The top pitching prospect in the Blue Jays system did not disappoint in his Bisons and Triple-A debut. The end result of Buffalo's game against the Red Wings on Tuesday night, however, was a tough one to swallow.

2017 Blue Jays 1st round pick Nate Pearson threw a career-best seven shutout innings, but walked away from his impressive debut with a no decision after Rochester rallied in the eighth inning for a 4-1 victory over the Bisons.

The Red Wings tallied all four of their runs in the eighth inning as Buffalo relievers Ty Tice and Kirby Snead combined to walk four batters while Wilin Rosario lined a two-run single in centerfield to cap the comeback.

Tuesday was shaping up to be the perfect 23rd birthday for baseball's #14 prospect and the top-rated arm in Toronto's system. Pearson didn't allow a single Red Wings runner to reach second base and faced just two over the minimum thanks to a first-inning doubleplay. While the hard-throwing righty only struck out three, he did not issue a single walk and retired the final 11 batters he faced.

Pearson's first career Triple-A strikeout did come on a 99 mph fastball to Red Wings shortstop Ronald Torreyes in the third inning. While he did reach that speed several times, he did not reach the century mark on the Frontier Field in-stadium radar gun. The last pitch he threw on the night was an 87 mph slider that froze outfielder Brandon Barnes for strike three.

Unfortunately for the Herd, the only offense it gave their newest hurler was Patrick Kivlehan's solo home run in the second. Buffalo themselves advanced a runner into scoring just three times after the slugger's 26th home run of the season.

The night came unraveled for Buffalo in the eighth inning as Tice walked Zander Wiel with one out with Torreyes following with a single into left. Tice then issued two more free passes to Ian Miller and Drew Maggi to force in a run.

Bisons manager Bobby Meacham turned to Kirby Snead, but the lefty's first offering crossed up catcher Andres Sotillo for a passed ball, allowing the go-ahead run to score.

Sotillo was making his first career Triple-A debut for the Herd and just his 10th overall appearance this season.

Rosario's single added the insurance that dropped Buffalo to 65-62 on the season.

The Herd will look to rebound Wednesday night with another 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Frontier Field against the Red Wings.

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