By: Brayden Peters
BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Bisons had ice in their veins today on Hockey Day with Sabres. They were able to walk out of Sahlen Field with a 5-4 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in colder weather with on-and-off showers. The offense for Buffalo helped secured them the victory with their performance in the third and fourth innings. Buffalo had six of their 11 hits and all of their runs across those two innings.
"We got some new guys, and then, you know, we lost a lot of guys, so that was kind of a redo we had," Bisons manager Casey Candaele said. "Guys coming up in Triple-A for the first time were getting used to it...And, you know, they're kind of settling in and feeling comfortable and confident up at the plate. So, it's translating into, you know, more offense for us. We went through a little stretch there. We struggled for quite a while, and now, recently we've been doing good..."
Going into the bottom of the third inning, the Bisons were down 2-0. Buffalo was able to get on the board thanks to Alan Roden. He singled to drive in Michael Turconi and Steward Berroa, tying the game up at two runs apiece. Turconi got a base on balls and Berroa bunted to make it safely to first base. With that single and the two RBI, Roden's hitting streak increases to seven games and he now has 40 RBI this season.
The Bisons proceeded to take the lead thanks to Josh Kasevich. He was able to drop the ball into center field for a single that allowed Jonatan Clase to score, giving Buffalo a 3-2 lead. Clase got on base after bunting.
Buffalo's hot bats carried over into the fourth inning. Steward Berroa hit a two-run dinger out towards center field to increase the Bisons' lead to 5-2. Berroa now has 10 home runs this season.
Roden and Will Robertson both had two hits on the day and both of Robertson's hits were doubles. Roden was named IL Player of the Month for August after leading the league with 34 hits and 57 total bases. Also, his .354 batting average was fourth in the IL in August, which increased his average by 60 points.
"He has been very impressive," Candaele said. "I mean, he struggled for, you know, for his first 100 at bats and I would assume his last 150 or wherever he's at, have been quite impressive. I mean, just watching him, I know he's, you know, a big part of our offense. I mean, I think he's move from, you know, hitting sixth or seventh to, you know, right in the middle of our lineup, and being a big cog for us and a big run producer and, you know, offensively, he kind of drives us right now."
James Kaprielian was given the start at pitcher for Buffalo, entering the game with a 1-4 record and an 8.31 ERA. In five innings pitched, he threw four strikeouts while giving up six hits, three earned runs and four walks. He was credited with the win.
"I've had a really tough season so far," Kaprielian said. "Trying my best to stay positive and continue to build and ultimately, just give the team a chance to win. Like for me, the only thing that matters is winning. So on a day like today where I felt like maybe I didn't have my best outing, I do feel like it was a step in the right direction."
Buffalo's bullpen only surrendered four hits and one run that was earned while striking out three batters.
The IronPigs got onto the board early. With the bases juiced, David Dahl grounded out into a double play that allowed Marcus Lee Stang to score. Lee Sang got on base after singling on the first pitch thrown in the game.
Lehigh Valley increased their lead in the third inning. Jim Haley got on base on a fielders choice that allowed Lee Sang to score, who recorded another single to get on base. After giving up five runs across the third and fourth innings, a sac-fly from Haley in the fifth inning allowed the IronPigs to cut Buffalo's lead to 5-3.
The IronPigs continued to chip away at the Bisons' lead. Darick Hall singled to drive in Scott Kingery from second base, who got a double to get on base.
Lehigh Valley put themselves in position to tie the game up in the ninth inning, as Kingery doubled with one out in the inning. However, two straight flyouts ended the IronPigs chances of winning.
The Bisons improve to a 62-73 overall record and are now 25-36 in the second half. They also remain in ninth in the IL East. As for Lehigh Valley, they fall to a 63-39 overall record and are 29-30 in the second half. They currently sit in sixth in the IL East.
Buffalo will host the IronPigs tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. It is unknown who will get the start on the mound for the Bisons. As for Lehigh Valley, Tyler Phillips (7-4, 5.72) will be the starting pitcher for the game.
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