Inside Pitch

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It's spectacularly bright and sunny this morning in the Dallas area and temperatures should be close to 80 -- 80! -- around the 7:05 CT first pitch tonight for Game Three of the World Series. But there's a growing chance of rain during the game, with a 30-40 percent chance on this hourly forecast at Weather.com and upwards of 50 percent according to some other sources.

It was two weeks ago tonight, during Game One of the ALCS against Detroit, that there were two rain delays in Arlington that pushed the final out to about 1:30 a.m. Eastern time. Let's hope that doesn't happen again.

And we should all remember the time-tested caveat of Bisons GM Mike Buczkowski: If the weather man says there's a 50 percent chance of rain, that means there's a 50 percent chance it won't rain!

---MIke Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Mother Nature has really spun the American League division series in the Bronx in favor of the Yankees. The rain poured down Friday suspending the game and now Justin Verlander will only pitch Game Three. A whole different scenario than having him pitch Games One and Five.

I hate the suspended games rule in this situation for the postseason. It should only apply to games that are already official, which was the case in Game Five of the 2008 World Series in Philadelphia. In the case of Game One, they should have just started over. 

As it was, they finished Saturday night and as the Daily News puts it, "Here's to you, Mr. Robinson". And the Yankees certainly have rookie Ivan Nova to thank. What a job by a guy who hasn't lost since June.

The Bisons, it should be noted, dealt poorly with the two rookie mound studs of the postseason thus far during their season.

Nova went 7 2/3 innings and fanned 10 in a 6-2 win over Buffalo July 7 in Scranton. Nova gave up a two-run homer to Fernando Martinez in the first inning and wasn't touched after that. Tampa Bay's Matt Moore, the Game One winner Friday at Texas, threw six shutout innings of two-hit ball and also fanned 10 for Durham Aug. 12 at Coca-Cola Field. He left with a 2-0 lead but got a no-decision as the Bisons rallied to win,3 -2.

Courtesy of Bisons PR director Brad Bisbing, here's the list of former Herd men in the MLB postseason:

Yankees: Freddy Garcia, CC Sabathia (rehab only)
Tigers: Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, Omir Santos
Rays: Kelly Shoppach
Rangers: Mike Adams
Phillies: Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco, Wilson Valdez
Cardinals: Jake Westbrook
Brewers: None
Diamondbacks: John McDonald 

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Perhaps it's a reflection of how completely unforgettable the Buffalo Bisons' season was on the field, but I have been deluged with inquiries about the Washington Nationals' Racing Presidents appearance Thursday night in Coca-Cola Field.

So I poked around YouTube and the folks at Buffalo.com posted a video of the Presidents' race, where Teddy -- who has never won -- got overcome by the aroma of Chicken Wing and forgot to finish a race he was leading and George got the win.

I haven't found any clip of the match race between Teddy and Celery that ended with neither one winning. The Presidents, by the way, visited Toronto, Niagara Falls and the Wilcox Mansion on their trip north and tweeted shots of each. They're also included at that link of the "Let Teddy Win" blog. Hey, the Nationals stink too so the folks in DC have to get some entertainment.

The Wilcox Mansion on Delaware, you ask? Come on, history buffs. That's where the real Teddy got inaugurated after the assassination of Wiliam McKinley here in 1901.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Racing Presidents are in the house (I just saw them in the basement trying to work their heads under the stairwell doors), and the Buffalo Bisons are set for their home finale at Coca-Cola Field against Syracuse.

There's all manner of news here as we wonder about callups. But tonight's first item of business is the release of the 2012 schedule for the 25th anniversary of the ballpark (which includes the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11, 2012). The season opens with a game April 5 at Pawtucket (brrrr) that kicks off a six-game road trip.

The home opener is Wednesday, April 11 against the team a good buddy of mine today dubbed the Wandering Yankees. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, in case you missed it here last week,  are expected to barnstorm next season while their ballpark is renovated. There has been no announcement yet on where they will play their home schedule.

The Bisons will unveil a 25th anniversary season logo and video tonight. I just saw the video played here in the press box and it gets a three thumbs-up review. The theme of the anniversary is "Simply The Best", the Tina Turner anthem that has greeted the final out of every Buffalo win for many years.

Dylan Owen pitches tonight as the Herd tries for a .500 record at home; they enter the game 35-36. 

(UPDATE: Owen was KO'd a scant four pitches into the game by a Roger Bernadina liner that struck him on the right elbow and deflected into left field for a double. He has been replaced by Brian Sweeney. Ouch).

Here's the Herd lineup:

Jordany Valdespin, ss
Luis Figueroa, 3b
Mike Baxter, lf
Valentino Pascucci, 1b
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Salomon Manriquez, c
Raul Reyes, rf
Dylan Owen, p

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Bisons announced during Wednesday night's game that the Buster Bison/Mr. Met bobbleheads that were stranded in the port of New York City during Hurricane Irene have been released and are scheduled to arrive at Coca-Cola Field on Thursday. The dolls were scheduled to be given away Monday night but the team instead gave out coupons to claim them. They can be claimed according to the following policies:

1). For fans coming to Thursday's Fan Appreciation Night game against Syracuse, the coupon can be redeemed inside the main concourse by the Washington Street gate. Gates open at 5 p.m.

2). For fans not attending Thursday's game, the coupon can be redeemed at the ballpark box office beginning Friday. The box office will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Bisons meet the Syracuse Chiefs in the penultimate home game of the season at Coca-Cola Field (Don't know what that means? Follow Marv Levy's advice to Thurman Thomas: Look it up). Buffalo is just 4-10 against the Chiefs this season and 10-20 vs. its Thruway rivals the last two seasons.

Oddly enough, a Syracuse win tonight would even the all-time series between the teams since the return to the IL in 1998 at 112-112. Mark Cohoon (4-9) will start for the Bisons and try to prevent that. Leadoff man Jordany Valdespin has an eight-game hitting streak and is batting .406 in that span.

Outfielder Jesus Feliciano has 369 career hits, nine shy of equaling Bill Selby's modern era record with six games left. DH Val Pascucci is tied for the IL RBI lead with 91. Here's the Herd lineup tonight:

Jordany Valdespin, ss
Mike Baxter, lf
Josh Satin, 3b
Valentino Pascucci, 1b
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Raul Reyes, rf
Raul Chavez, c
Mark Cohoon, p

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

This just in from the Bisons: Because of Hurricane Irene, the shipment of Buster Bison/Mr. Met bobbleheads that was to be given away tonight at Coca-Cola Field has been delayed at the Port of New York City and will not be available at the game against the Rochester Red Wings.

The Bisons will instead hand out special coupons for the bobbleheads in the same manner as when they have the dolls -- the first 4,000 fans through the Swan Street gate only, one per person.

When the bobbleheads arrive, fans must then use the coupon to pick them up at the ballpark box office during regular business hours.  The Bisons will have another media release and statement on their web site, Bisons.com, with more information when that process will begin.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Here's a bit of a bombshell that's been pointed out to me: It appears the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees won't be playing in Scranton in 2012. At least that's what this report in Baseball America says.

PNC Field, the team's decrepit stadium that only dates to 1989 but has been poorly maintained, is getting a $40 million facelift and the work will apparently be much cheaper if it can be done through one whole season rather than being split over two years.

The Scranton Times-Tribune, surprisingly, didn't have a lot more insight to add to the Baseball America report with its story on the situation, other than some comments from team president Kristen Rose and some local politicos. 

So it looks like the Yankees will play next year somewhere else or in a variety of somewhere elses. Lehigh Valley, Syracuse and the Yankees' Class A stadium in Staten Island appear to be good options. Baseball America also suggest a return to Ottawa for a season is possible.

The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle speculates that Frontier Field could be a seasonlong option.

What about Buffalo? The Bisons run too many other events in Coca-Cola Field and would not be interested in hosting a large number of additional games. But there's a lot of Yankees interest here and I wonder if each IL North team will be asked by the league to host a Scranton series or two.

If I'm the IL, I pick Staten Island or Ottawa. As IL venues, we already see the Scranton/WB Yankees eight times a year in the North Division. No great shakes if we see more. It would be more special in a non-IL place.

Stay tuned. The final word on this should come in a couple of weeks.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Buffalo Bisons have posted a trio of four-game winning streaks this season and will try to do it for a fourth time in the opener of tonight's doubleheader against the Durham Bulls in Coca-Cola Field. To do it, they'll have to beat one of the key cogs of the Tampa Bay Rays' 2008 World Series team.

Right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, a 13-game winner for the '08 Rays, will be the starter for Durham in the opener. Sonnantine has struggled to find his '08 form as he went 6-9 for the Rays in 2009 and 3-1 last year in 41 appearances (23 starts). He was 0-2, 5.71 this year in 14 games (four starts) before being optioned to Durham, where he is 2-3, 4.17 in six games (five starts).

In '08, Sonnanstine was the starter and winner in Tampa Bay's Game Four division series clincher over the Chicago White Sox. In the picture at right from the St. Petersburg Times, Sonnanstine is wearing the goggles while getting doused from behind by Rocco Baldelli and hugged by Rays outfielder Fernando Perez -- who will be starting in center field and batting ninth tonight for the Bisons. Small world this game is sometimes.

Sonnanstine also pitched 7 1/3 innings to get the win in Game Four of the ALCS over the Red Sox in Fenway Park. His Game Four luck ran out, however, in the World Series at Philadelphia as he gave up five runs in four innings and took the loss in a 10-2 defeat.

The Bulls, by the way, already have one canceled game on their schedule (a May contest at Syracuse) and need to get these two in as they open play today 1 1/2 games ahead of Gwinnett in the IL South. The weather forecast gets a little dicey as the night goes on.

Here's the Bisons' lineup:

Jordany Valdespin, ss
Josh Satin, 2b
Zach Lutz, 3b
Valentino Pascucci, 1b
Fernando Martinez, dh
Jesus Feliciano, lf
Mike Nickeas, c
Bubba Bell, rf
Fernando Perez, cf
----
Mark Cohoon, p

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

There's the sausage race in Milwaukee and the pierogi race in Pittsburgh. Cleveland has an entertaining hot dog race (ketchup tends to get a little physical) and, of course, the Bisons have trotted out a Chicken Wing race this year that has turned Celery into a forlorn winless character that brings you back to the '62 Mets (or maybe the '09 Bisons).

But no mascot race has gotten as much sudden attention as the Presidents Race the Washington Nationals stage each night in Nationals Park. And George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy are coming to Buffalo for the Sept. 1 home finale as part of Bisons' Fan Appreciation Night ceremonies. The Presidents, who are regulars at the White House for various functions, will race and be available to fans during the game, which will also feature giveaways and a huge fireworks show after the final out.

Teddy has never won a race since it was born in 2006. Just like Celery has been an every-day loser so far this year. The Presidents have a wikipedia page with information on their history of races. The Nationals Web site has their official bios. The team also kept the standings on the site through 2010 with Abe leading with 154 wins and Teddy at 0.

There's even an entertaining blog -- called LetTeddywin -- that chronicles his efforts to finally win a race, complete with lots of video. Its current loss meter stands at 415 straight races.

Here's a look at the July 4 race.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

The Buffalo Bisons have lost three straight, nine of their last 11 and are 1-6 on an eight-game homestand that ends tonight. With a season-long, 10-game, four-city road trip starting tomorrow, a win for the Herd sure would help their traveling mood. 

The Bisons look to avoid a four-game sweep by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at 7:35 tonight during the usual fridaynightbash! at Coca-Cola Field. 

Bisons righty Dylan Owen (4-5, 4.44 ERA) pitches against righty Andrew Brackman (2-6, 7.22) of the Yankees, who have won six straight. The Herd has lost five straight to Scranton, including Thursday's 6-3 loss.

Here is tonight's Bisons lineup:

Fernando Perez cf
Luis Figueroa dh
Josh Satin 3b
Valentino Pascucci 1b
Nick Evans lf
Mike Baxter rf
Luis Hernandez 2b
Ruben Tejada ss
Dusty Ryan c
--
Dylan Owen p

And for those who are fans of duhhhhhhh Yankees (John Sterling pronounciation), here is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (my bad -- chest tap -- for not doing that last night):

Kevin Russo lf
Austin Krum cf
Jesus Montero c
Mike Lamb dh
Jorge Vazquez 1b
Brandon Laird 3b
Jordan Parraz rf
Luis Nunez 2b
Doug Bernier ss
--
Andrew Brackman p

Evans rejoined the Bisons today after clearing waivers following being sent down by the parent New York Mets. Infielder Michael Fisher has been sent down to Double-A Binghamton. Evans is likely to rejoin the Mets once he is eligible to be re-promoted to the majors; to do so he needs to have spent the required 10 days in the minors. Evans was designated for assignment on July 23 when David Wright was activated from the disabled list. 

After some scattered storms in town earlier in the day, downtown skies are clear and sunny at this writing (5:35 p.m.).

* * * 

Sidenote: In checking up on the New York Yankees organ-i-zation (hockey pronounciation) the last couple of days, I've checked out the ESPN.com's Yankee blog and been entertained big-time by Andrew Marchand and Wallace Matthews writing it like it is when it comes to Yankee manager Joe Girardi in front of a microphone.

Check out today's post regarding Ivan Nova starting during Saturday's doubleheader and Wednesday's regarding competition for the fifth starter spot between Nova and Phil Hughes. In the latter, Marchand wrote, "the manager performed his usual, 'Who's on First?' routine when he wouldn't reveal a mundane fact."

Great stuff. I've caught that vibe in Girardi's televised meetings with the media and even his pregame radio interviews. I don't envy having to listen to/decipher it every day.

* * * 

The game had a rather bizarre start, but a good finish for the Bisons in an 8-5 victory. Here's the game story.

The Bisons hit the road on a bus trip to Allentown, Pa., after the game, but there were plenty of folks remaining at the park -- overnight, in fact.

It was Girl Scout Campout night and the troopers took over the outfield and were watching the movie "Tangled" on the tremendous HD scoreboard as I left the park a little before midnight.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

The Buffalo Bisons look to avoid a four-game sweep and the Pawtucket Red Sox have their sights on a return to first place as two major league veterans take the mound tonight at Coca-Cola Field.

Right-hander Miguel Batista (0-0, 8.68 ERA), a 40-year-old veteran of 17 major league seasons, takes on 36-year-old and 14-year major leaguer lefty Kevin Millwood (5-0, 3.79) in a 7:05 p.m. start. The pair has combined for 258 major league wins and 1,028 appearances.

It is the last of a four-game series. Pawtucket has won the first three, including a come-from-behind, 7-6 victory in which they scored three runs in the top of the ninth on Sunday.

Pawtucket sits one game out of first place in the International League North (58-44). A PawSox win, combined with a loss by front-running Lehigh Valley (59-43) at home to Columbus (7:05 start), would forge a tie atop the division and give Pawtucket its first share of first place since April 22.

Here is today's Bisons lineup:

Luis Figueroa 2B
Ruben Tejada ss
Valentino Pascucci 1b
Jason Botts lf
Michael Fisher dh
Josh Satin 3b
Jesus Feliciano rf
Fernando Perez cf
Mike Nickeas c
--
Miguel Batista p

There were some bouts of rain during the day but the grounds crew just removed the tarp (4:53 p.m.), the sun is shining and event workers have been busy wiping off seats.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

We had a terrific ceremony to induct Jim Rosenhaus and Tony Pena into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday afternoon in Coca-Cola Field (full disclosure: I am a member of the selection committe).

Be sure to catch up on today's column on Rosenhaus, one of the class acts I've met in the game and someone I still enjoy chatting with when I make trips to Cleveland's Progressive Field. For 11 seasons here, I am privileged to say I had almost daily chats with him on the field, in the press box and clubhouse. Some great times.

I was there for his first game in 1996 in Nashville and went into the booth to wish him well a half-hour before the game and he was full-fledged panic mode because the equipment wasn't working. He did the game over a telephone for four innings with Duke McGuire before the folks at the station rescued him

One of my favorite memories was the Bisons' first title clincher in 1997 in Des Moines. I went into the booth to chronicle Rosenhaus' ninth-inning call of the final out for the next day's paper (no Internet broadcast to listen to back then). One problem: David Weathers gave up two runs in the ninth to blow a lead before Sean Casey's homer won it in the 10th. I did the same thing the next year in Game Four in Durham. Another two runs in the bottom of the ninth, this time producing an horrific defeat.

Rosenhaus and I then made a pact: No more trips to the booth by me! With the jinx out of the way, the Bisons won Game Five the next night to head to the World Series in Las Vegas. Rosenhaus hosted celebrations of those titles back at the ballpark in Buffalo and drew one of the biggest cheers in '97 when he pointed out the Herd could retire the trophy of the going-out-of-business American Association.

Rosenhaus roared the quote of the night: "It stays here. We don't have to give it back!" 

I loved seeing the video today of the Bisons' three title-clinching outs in '97, '98 and here in '04 against Richmond. Classic Rosenhaus calls. A good broadcaster has to be able to paint a picture with his words and Rosenhaus certainly did that.

Kudos to a job well done, Rosey.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Today is Hall of Fame Day at the ballpark. The Bisons will induct Jim Rosenhaus and Tony Pena into the Hall of Fame. Rosenhaus was the longtime voice of the Bisons while Pena was a former catcher for the Herd. Pena's son, Tony Pena Jr. will accept the award for his father. He pitches for the Pawtucket Red Sox.

The Buffalo Bisons host the Red Sox today for the third game of a four-game series. Buffalo looks to rebound after dropping the first two games of the series. Dylan Owen will make his 13th start of the season for the Bisons and the Red Sox will counter with Jeremy Kehrt. Owen will try and help the Bisons end their six-game losing streak against the Red Sox.

Here is today's Bisons lineup:

Luis Figueroa dh
Jesus Feliciano rf
Valentino Pascucci 1b
Jason Botts lf
Josh Satin 3b
Luis Hernandez 2b
Ruben Tejada ss
Fernando Perez cf
Raul Chavez c

---Jason Davis

Boston prospect Ryan Lavarnway is putting up absurd numbers and continued them Friday night with his home run and double here. At least the Bisons get a break and won't have to deal with him tonight as he's getting a day off, his first since June 22.

Lavarnway has homered in four of his last five games and seven of the last 10. He's batting .381 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs for the Pawsox and a combined .322-27-74 in 90 games between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland. Luis Esposito will be catching for Pawtucket tonight.

Mark Cohoon (3-5) will pitch for Buffalo tonight against Pawtucket veteran Brandon Duckworth. The Bisons are just 2-7 against Pawtucket this year, including five straight defeats. Here's tonight's Buffalo lineup:

Luis Figueroa, 3b
Ruben Tejada, ss
Jesus Feliciano, rf
Valentino Pascucci, dh
Jason Botts, lf
Josh Satin, 1b
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Fernando Perez, cf
Mike Nickeas, c
---
Mark Cohoon, p

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Get in line early if you're looking for the promotional item at tonight's Bisons-Pawtucket game. The first 4,000 fans through the Swan Street gate will receive a replica of the late, great Memorial Auditorium as part of the team's annual Replica Night giveaway.

Offermann and War Memorial Stadium and Coca-Cola Field have all been previous replica giveaways and now the team has moved to local landmarks like last year's Crystal Beach piece and the Aud.

The Aud replicas will only be given away at the Swan Street gate, one per person. The line in the past has stretched from the third-base gate all the way to the parking lot in right field, but history has shown patience works because it moves fast once the gates open.

The Bisons lost the opener of the four-game series Friday night, 4-2. Red-hot Pawtucket catcher Ryan Lavarnway homered, doubled and drove in three runs as he continues to make a splash among Boston prospect watches. In 35 games at Triple-A after being promoted from Double-A Portland, Lavarnway is batting .381 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs. Pretty sick numbers.

---MIke Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Not much to say about last night's MLB All-Star Game, a 5-1 win for the National League in Phoenix. Bud Selig insists it counts, so I'm sure the Phillies, Giants, Braves, Cardinals, etc are happy for the chance to have homefield advantage in the World Series.

The stage shifts tonight to Salt Lake City for the 24th Triple-A All-Star Game. It will air at 9 p.m. on MLB Network and Radio 1520 AM with Brad Mills (Las Vegas-Toronto) starting for the Pacific Coast League and Zach McAllister (Columbus-Cleveland) going for the International League. The Bisons' lone representative is pitcher Chris Schwinden.

Once tonight's game is over, the focus shifts to Coca-Cola Field, which will host the 25th anniversary game on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. The all-star game began at then-Pilot Field on July 14, 1988 but was a much simpler affair back then with few ancilliary activities. Next year's activities will include the Triple-A Home Run Derby on July 9 and a gala luncheon at the Adam's Mark on gameday.

The Bisons have opened ticket sales for the events, at $35 for the Home Run Derby and game, and $25 for the luncheon.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Monday night -- July 11, 2011 -- will mark the one-year mark for the countdown to the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be held July 11, 2012 in Coca-Cola Field. The giant signs advertising the game (and the Home Run Derby on July 9, 2012) have been hanging in the left-field corner for a few weeks.

To start the festivities, the Bisons will be hosting a watch party for MLB's Home Run Derby from Chase Field in Phoenix Monday night at 7. For a $5 donation to Team Gary, the fund to aid injured Buffalo police officer Gary Sengbusch, fans can watch the derby on the BisonsTV HD Board and will receive a free hot dog and Coca-Cola product, as well as chances to win prizes based on the result of the derby.

Fans will also have a chance to compete in the Bisons' Home Run Distance Challenge. Fans will get one swing off a tee at home plate with the longest hits winning prizes that include tickets to next year's Triple-A game. There will be live music from Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields from 7-8 as well as a cash bar at Pettibones Grille and open concession stands. 

In addition, the team will be opening sale of the Triple-A All-Star Game/Home Run Derby ticket packages and making merchandise available for the first time at the MLB Derby watch party.

The 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game will be a signature element of Coca-Cola Field's 25th anniversary season. The first Triple-A game was held in Buffalo on July 13, 1988. in front of a sellout crowd of 19,500.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

---The Bisons, currently 6-2 on this 10-game homestand, take on Syracuse in a two-game series tonight and Sunday afternoon. Buffalo is an even 23-23 at Coca-Cola Field this season. Here is the starting lineup for tonight's game:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Michael Fisher, 3b
Nick Evans, rf
Val Pascucci, 1b
Jason Botts, lf
Mike Nickeas, c
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Mark Cohoon, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

---The last time Chris Schwinden took the mound he retired 17 consecutive batters in a victory over Norfolk. The IL All-Star is also making his staff high 15th start on the year. Here is the starting lineup for tonight's game:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Michael Fisher, 3b
Nick Evans, lf
Val Pascucci, 1b
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Bubba Bell, rf
Raul Chavez, c
Chris Schwinden, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Tonight's 7:05 Bisons game against Lehigh Valley in Coca-Cola Field has been designated the "Team Gary Bisons Benefit Bash" in honor of injured Buffalo police officer Gary Sengbusch.

Proceeds of ticket sales and ballpark raffles will assist in the recovery of Sengbusch, who was critically injured by an alleged drunk driver on February 25. There will be an open party in the center field pavilion at 5 p.m. featuring a concert by Strictly Hip and there will be a postgame pyrotechnics show.

Raffle prizes include a 46-inch flat screen TV donated an autographed by Jay Leno, autographed jerseys from Derek Jeter and Carl Yastrzemski, an autographed goalie  stick from Ryan Miller as well as other prizes from the Bisons and Mets. 

You can read more about Team Gary at this site.

Click here for the recent Buffalo News video on Sengbusch's recovery.

On the field, Nick Evans will try to extend his hitting streak to 20 games after Wednesday's 5-for-5 performance pushed his run to 19, the longest current stretch in the minors. He's an incredible 38 for 74 during the streak. The Bisons and first-place IronPigs, managed by Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, have split the first two games of their series.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

---The Bisons have taken the first two games of its series against Norfolk and sends right-hander Chris Schwinden to the hill to face Chris George. Here's the starting lineup for today's game:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Nick Evans, 1b
Fernando Martinez, rf
Val Pascucci, dh
Jason Botts, lf
Michael Fisher, 3b
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Mike Nickeas, c
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Chris Schwinden, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

---Dylan Owen makes his eighth start of the season tonight for the Bisons and he's looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss in Durham on Monday. Here's the starting lineup for tonight's game:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Nick Evans, 1b
Fernando Martinez, rf
Val Pascucci, dh
Jason Botts, lf
Michael Fisher, 3b
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Bubba Bell, cf
Raul Chavez, c
Dylan Owen, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Former Bison David Huff (right) will start for the Columbus Clippers against the Herd tonight in Coca-Cola Field (It's a 7 p.m. game on Time Warner Cable 13). The Bisons (27-38) have lost eight of nine and this is clearly not a good time to be playing the defending Triple-A National Champion Clippers, who have won six straight and own the IL's best record at 42-22

Huff (4-2, 4.37) is the answer to a Buffalo trivia question, as he was the starter and winner in the Herd's last home game as a Cleveland affiliate, a 3-2 triumph over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 28, 2008. The Indians, of course, moved to Columbus for the '09 season. Huff and reliever Jensen Lewis are the only players on the Clippers' roster who once played Triple-A ball in Buffalo.

Huff was just 2-11, 6.21 in 15 starts for Cleveland last year and was most noted for getting smoked in the head by an Alex Rodriguez line drive. But he recovered from that and went 8-2 for Columbus in the regular season, then posted a 1.93 ERA in two starts in the IL playoffs and was the winning pitcher in the Triple-A National Championship victory over Tacoma.

Couple notes on the Bisons: Cleanup man Valentino Pascucci has 37 RBIs since May 10. No one else in the IL has more than 26 in that span. Dylan Owen will get the start for the Herd tonight. 

The Buffalo lineup:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Michael Fisher, 3b
Fernando Martinez, rf
Valentino Pascucci, 1b
Zach Lutz, dh
Jason Botts, lf
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Raul Chavez, c
Bubba Bell, cf
---
Dylan Owen, p

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

Photo: Huff works for the Herd in a 2008 game at then-Dunn Tire Park (John Hickey-Buffalo News file photo).

After dropping a 7-6 decision to Columbus last night, the Buffalo Bisons hope to rebound and right their homestand with today's 1:05 game against the Clippers at Coca-Cola Field. The Herd has lost seven of its last eight games and is 1-4 in the current homestand.

Josh Stinson (3-5, 6.04 ERA) gets the start for Buffalo. His last outing on June 7, he took the loss to Indianapolis, giving up six runs on eight hits in 1.1 innings of work.

Today's starting lineup for the Herd:

Luis Figueroa -- SS
Michael Fisher -- 2B
Fernando Martinez -- DH
Valentino Pascucci -- 1B
Zach Lutz -- 3B
Jesus Feliciano -- CF
Jason Botts -- LF
Bubba Bell -- RF
Mike Nickeas -- C

--- Amy Moritz 

It's Star Wars Night at Coca-Cola Field, as the Herd takes on the Columbus Clippers in the first game of a four-game series. The Bisons are wearing special Star Wars themed uniforms which will be auctioned off following the game. The Bisons are 1-3 so far on its current homestand after Friday night's loss to Indianapolis. Here is the starting lineup for tonight's game:

Luis Figueroa, ss
Michael Fisher, 3b
Fernando Martinez, rf
Val Pascucci, 1b
Zach Lutz, dh
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Luis Hernandez, 2b
Jason Botts, lf
Raul Chavez, c
Chris Schwinden, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

---Tonight's game is the final matchup between the Bisons and the Indians this season, with Indy taking the season series with five wins. Here is the Bisons starting lineup for tonight's game:

Michael Fisher, 2b
Luis Hernandez, ss
Valentino Pascucci, 1b
Fernando Martinez, rf
Zach Lutz, 3b
Jason Botts, lf
Mike Nickeas, c
Jesus Feliciano, cf
Mark Cohoon, p

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

An eight-game homestand starts in just about a half hour at the downtown ballpark as the Buffalo Bisons are back home. They'll kick off a four-game set with the Indianapolis Indians at 7:05 p.m. It's perfect baseball weather here at Coca-Cola Field, with just a gentle breeze and temperatures in the 70s.

For the Bisons, right-hander Josh Stinson will oppose southpaw Justin Wilson on the mound. Stinson is 3-4 with a 5.04 earned-run average. The Bisons wrapped up a 3-5 road trip last night and are 26-33 on the season, 11 games out in the International League North.

Stinson, who has won his last two decisions, will look to help reverse that tonight against the Indians. He's 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA at home this year.

At the plate, Valentino Pascucci has driven in 29 runs for the Herd since May 10, leading the IL. Pascucci is hitting .317 with eight doubles, five homers and 12 runs during that 26-game stretch. He has a team-high 34 RBIs.

Here is Buffalo's posted lineup for tonight:

Luis Figueroa, SS

Michael Fisher, 3B

Lucas Duda, LF

Pascucci, 1B

Fernando Martinez, RF

Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF

Luis Hernandez, 2B

Raul Chavez, C

Stinson, P

---Jay Skurski

http://twitter.com/jayskurski

The first home series win of the season is in sight for the Buffalo Bisons.

After opening today's doubleheader against Gwinnett with a 5-3 win, the Herd is now on a two-game winning streak and can take three of four from the Braves with a sweep this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3:35 p.m.

Valentino Pascucci's two-out grand slam into the Bully Hill party deck in right field highlighted a five-run fifth inning for the Bisons in the opener. Pascucci made up for his pair of errors in the first inning that allowed Gwinnett to take a 2-0 lead.

Bisons reliever Bobby Parnell, on injury rehab from the New York Mets, made his best appearance with the Herd. He pitched the final two innings, striking out three batters in a row at one point. Parnell ended the sixth with a 99 mph strikeout of Gwinnett catcher J.C. Boscan.

Starters for the Bisons in the nightcap will be:

Michael Fisher, 3B

Luis Hernandez, SS

Lucas Duda, LF

Pascucci, 1B

Fernando Martinez, RF

Bubba Bell, CF

Chin-Lung Hu, 2B

Raul Chavez, C

John Lujan, P

Lujan is making his first career start for the Bisons and just the eighth of his career (the last came in 2007 with Single-A Winston-Salem) as back-to-back doubleheaders have forced the Bisons to cobble together a staff.

---Jay Skurski

http://twitter.com/jayskurski

It's an overcast, but warm day here at Coca-Cola Field, where the Buffalo Bisons are set to play their second straight doubleheader against the Gwinnett Braves.

The Bisons haven't played back-to-back twinbills since Aug. 20-21, 2009 against Syracuse, splitting each time, as Buffalo and Gwinnett did yesterday.

Splitting at home is something the Herd is accustomed to this season. Buffalo is 14-14 on the home field, and has split all four series. Buffalo starts the day 9.5 games behind Lehigh Valley in the International League, so if it wants to get back in the race, a sweep today would be a good place to start.

Starting for the Bisons in the opener will be:

Luis Figueroa, SS

Michael Fisher, 3B

Lucas Duda, RF

Valentino Pascucci, 1B

Jason Botts, LF

Jesus Feliciano, CF

Mike Nickeas, C

Luis Hernandez, 2B

Brian Sweeney, P

We'll be back on the blog with some details from the first game and the starting lineup for the second later this afternoon, so check back.

---Jay Skurski

http://twitter.com/jayskurski