Bisons Single-Handedly Top PawSox, 9-5

PAWTUCKET-The Buffalo Bisons played small ball in earning a 9-5 victory over the Pawtucket Red Sox this afternoon at McCoy. The win snapped the Bisons three-game losing streak and ended the PawSox three-game winning streak

Buffalo did all their damage without benefit of an extra base hit. All 14 Bisons’ hits were singles.

The PawSox also committed three errors, resulting in three unearned Buffalo runs.

“Our defense got us today”, said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “We made some mistakes in the field and they took advantage of just about every one”

PawSox starter Davern Hansack (2-8) took the loss, his fourth consecutive negative decision. He lasted five innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. He walked two and did not strike out a batter.

“It’s just one of those things where he’s battling through it” said Johnson. “The ball’s not bouncing the right way for him.”

Former Red Sox pitcher John Halama (1-0) was solid in his debut with the Bisons. Signed by the Indians earlier last week, Halama earned the win going six complete innings. He gave up three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out four.

All five PawSox runs came courtesy of the home run…a two run shot by Carter (his 12th) in the first, a solo homer by Jeff Bailey (#18) in the fifth, and a Jed Lowrie (#2) two-run blast in the eighth.

Down 2-0, the Bisons scored three runs off Hansack in the top of the fourth. With one out Todd Linden walked and made it to second on a single by Jordan Brown. Linden advanced to third on a fielder’s choice by Jason Tyner, erasing Brown at second. Brad Snyder then drove in Linden with single to right. After Snyder stole second and Wyatt Toregas walked to load the bases, Chris De La Cruz drove in a pair with a singe to center.

The Bisons scored an unearned run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Brown.

Hunter Jones relieved Hansack in the sixth and the Bisons responded with three runs on five singles. Josh Barfield, Jorge Velandia and Linden drove in the runs.

Down 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the PawSox made a run at tying the game. Jed Lowrie belted a two-run homer and Chris Carter and Bobby Kielty reached with no one out. But Bisons’ reliever Jeff Stevens shut the door, striking out George Kottaras and forcing Keith Ginter to ground into a 6-4-3- double play.

The Bisons added two unearned runs in the top of the ninth off Lincoln Holdzkom on a two run single by Toregas

Stevens pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Lowrie extended his hitting streak to ten games with the homer. Joe Thurston (2 for 4) and Carter (2 for 4) were the only PawSox batters with more than one hit.

Velandia, Linden, Brown, Tyner, Toregas, and De La Cruz had two hits apiece for the Bisons.

The PawSox and Bisons play the finale of the three game series tomorrow night (7:05 pm). RHP Jeff Harris (2-3, 5.40 ERA) goes for the Bisons against RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0, 2.77 ERA) for the PawSox. It will be Legends Night at McCoy as Sox legends Tommy Harper and Lou Merloni will be available between 7:00pm and 8:30pm for autographs and photos.

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