Bisons waiting out the rain

July 3, 2012 - 5:27 PM

For the Bisons organization, this is one of the biggest nights of the year. Independence Eve is a tradiation at the downtown ballpark with an early evening game, post-game performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the largest fireworks display of the season. Only right now, Mother Nature is not cooperating.

When the teams completed batting practice the interns swarmed the field to help unroll the tarp. A light rain has started over the ballpark and rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for downtown Buffalo tonight.

So the Buffalo Bisons and Durham Bulls are in a holding pattern for the moment.

The Bisons are hoping to avoid going 0-8 against Durham this season and break a nine-game losing skid to the Bulls dating back to last season.

Righty Collin McHugh (0-2, 7.07 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Herd.

Tonight's lineup:

Jordany Valdespin -- 2B
Josh Rodriguez -- SS
Josh Satin -- 1B
Fred Lewis -- LF
Valentino Pascucci -- DH
Matt den Dekker -- CF
Matt Tuiasosopo -- 3B
Raul Reyes -- RF
Rob Johnson -- C

--- Amy Moritz

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About Inside Pitch

Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, has covered the Buffalo Bisons since 1992 and Major League Baseball since 1995. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Harrington has reported on 15 World Series -- including every pitch of the Fall Classic this century -- and all three of the Bisons' championship runs in their modern era. He is a connoisseur of the famous Stadium Mustard at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

@BNHarrington | mharrington@buffnews.com

Amy Moritz

Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, has covered the Bisons for The Buffalo News since 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.

@TBN_Moritz | amoritz@buffnews.com

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