Post Game News and Notes- April 21, 2008

Here are some other notes from today’s match-up with the Bisons:

MOUND MAGICIAN

Craig Hansen continues his mastery on the mound. He has now pitched 12 1/3 innings without giving up a run this season. He pitched an inning and a third of scoreless relief today, striking out two and walking one.

ZINK HONORED

PawSox starter Charlie Zink was named the International League Pitcher of the Week.

Zink was 2-0 last week with a 0.90 ERA. In ten innings of work the knuckleballer gave up only one run on six hits while walking three and striking out eight.

NO WORRIES ON SNYDER

Through two appearances Kyle Snyder has pitched a total of 6 1/3 innings this season and has given up three homers. His ERA rose to 7.44. But that’s no big deal to PawSox Manager Ron Johnson.

“You’ve got to give him a break,” said Johnson, “He’s been down for a while. I don’t worry about Kyle Snyder. He knows how to pitch.”

VAN EVERY DELIVERS AT THE PLATE AND IN THE FIELD

Two hits and two RBI's wasn't the only highlight from Jonathan Van Every's day. He also made a sliding, diving grab of a ball hit to right center field off the bat of Bisons' DH Ryan Mulhern to save a run in the eighth.

"He’s as good a center fielder as I've seen" said Johnson, "He makes makes the above average plays without diving."

Johnson said if Van Every can gain some confidence he can become a special player.

OFF DAY A WELCOMED BREAK

In the minor leagues, days off are few and far between. Tomorrow’s break is the first of the season for Pawtucket, and their last until May 21^st. And it didn’t come soon enough.

“This ball club’s tired” said Johnson, “It’s good to have a day off then get right back at it.”

The PawSox bullpen has been stretched to the limit and it almost became an issue today. Johnson said Lincoln Holdzkom (today’s winner) was the last pitcher available and could have possibly pitched one more inning. After that, who knows who would have had to come in to throw. Good thing the PawSox didn’t have to find out.

NATALE TAKES ONE FOR THE TEAM

2B Jeff Natale left the game in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch off his left arm. He was replaced by Chad Spann. No word on his condition was available immediately after the game.

BUFFALO PEDIGREE

The Bisons have many players on their roster with big league experience.

Josh Barfield played in 130 games for the Indians last season, batting .243 with 3 homers and 50 RBI. He was relegated to back-up status late in the season with the emergence of 2B Asdrubal Cabrera. He spent 2006 with the Padres.

Jason Tyner spent his 2007 season with the Minnesota Twins. He batted .286 with 1 homer and 22 RBIs in 114 games. He was signed by the Indians as a free agent on February 21^st. Tyner has also spent time with the Rays and Mets..

RHP Scott Elarton has nine years of service in the majors. A one-time 17 game winner for the Astros, Elarton has also pitched for Colorado, Cleveland, and Kansas City. He signed as a free agent with the Indians last August.

3B Aaron Herr is the son of firmer major leaguer Tom Herr. The elder Herr spent 13 seasons in the big leagues, most notably with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also spent time with the Twins, Phillies, Mets, and Giants. He was a member of the 1982 Cardinals World Series team.

Also on the Buffalo roster, but currently on the DL, is former Sox reliever Brandon Donnelly.

WHY PLAY NINE WHEN SIX WILL DO

You can usually figure out how the PawSox will fare based on their play through six innings. After today’s win the PawSox are now 2-8 when trailing after six. Conversely they are 8-0 when they start the seventh with a lead.