Game 19 - Bisons vs. PawSox, April 21, 2008

We are here at McCoy for today's (12:05pm) series finale between the PawSox and the Buffalo Bisons. The PawSox are currently in third place in the IL North, 2 games behind Scranton/Wilkes Barre. The Bisons sit in 5th place in the division, 6 games back.

Buffalo sends lefty Jeremy Sowers (0-2, 3.50 ERA) to the mound. He'll be opposed by Kyle Snyder (0-0, 3.86 ERA) for the PawSox.


Buffalo Bisons (6-12)

LINEUP

Josh Barfied 2B
Jason Coper RF
Ben Francisco LF
Jordan Brown 1B
Ryan Mulhern DH
Andy Gonzalez SS
Brad Snyder CF
Aaron Herr 3B
Wyatt Toregas C

The Bisons enter the game losers of five of their last six. The last win was Saturday night, a 7-0 whitewash of the PawSox in game one of this series.

Sowers is coming off a no decision in his last start April 16th against Syracuse. In that match-up he pitched 6 innings, giving up two runs, walking three and striking out three. Sowers spent half his 2007 season in Cleveland with the Indians. In 13 starts he complied a 1-6 record with a 6.42 ERA. In 15 starts with Buffalo last year Sowers was 4-5 with a 4.10 ERA. The Indians still think highly of Sowers, who was their #1 draft pick (6th overall) in 2004.

Bisons' third baseman Andy Gonzalez enters the game tied for ninth in the International League in batting with a .333 mark. As a team the Bisons are in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories in the IL.

Pawtucket Red Sox (10-8)

LINEUP

Jeff Natale 2B
George Kottaras C
Brandon Moss 1B
Chris Carter LF
Keith Ginter 3B
Jeff Bailey RF
Dusty Brown DH
Gil Velazquez SS
Jonathan Ven Every CF

PawSox Manager Ron Johnson says Snyder will be limited to 45-55 pitches today. Snyder has only pitched in one other game for the PawSox, April 16th in a relief role against the Indianapolis Indians. In that game Snyder threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up one run (a homer) while striking out two.

Johnson says that despite the limited pitch count, the PawSox have plenty of arms available in the bullpen. He expects Dan Kolb, Craig Hansen, and Lincoln Holdzkom to see action today. Lee Gronkiewicz may also be able to pick-up a one inning save if needed. Johnson did say that in all likelihood Edgar Martinez and Jon Switzer will not be used today.

Johnson also said he was unsure when David Pauley will be pitching again for Pawtucket. He was left out of his start yesterday after the Red Sox indicated he may be needed to make a spot start for the big club. The Sox have been dealing with a case of the flu making its way through the clubhouse. Johnson hopes to get word from Boston on Pauley's status after today's game.

Despite being held in check during the first two games of this series, George Kottars still enters today's game tied for the league lead in homers (5) and alone in the league in runs batted in (16).

We will be providing updates periodically throughout the afternoon.