STAFF REPORTS
Powered by a big third inning and a three-run home run by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the Bisons grabbed a 4-1 win over the Braves on Thursday afternoon at Coolray Field. The victory helped the Herd avoid the three-game sweep in Gwinnett.
Saltalamacchia’s homer was the only hit the Bisons had in a four-run third inning that provided the club all the runs they would need in the win. Gwinnett’s Lucas Sims (4-2) walked Jake Elmore, Dwight Smith Jr. and Mike Ohlman to begin the frame. After a sac fly from Rowdy Tellez put the Bisons on the board, Saltalamacchia sent a blast to right-center field to get his first home run of the season.
The Braves’ only lead of the day came when former Bisons’ infielder Matt Tuiasosopo hit a solo homer to right-center field in the bottom half of the second inning.
Gwinnett had a massive opportunity in the seventh inning to snatch the win with the bases loaded. With two outs, Johan Camargo made contact on a 2-2 pitch, sending it deep to center field. Ian Parmley saved the Bisons’ afternoon when he hustled out to make the catch for the final out.
Mat Latos (1-1) serviced the mound for the Herd for the first 5.1 innings of the afternoon. The righty gave up the only run of the day and five hits, while striking out seven. Most notably, the righty gave up just two hits after Tuiasosopo’s home run in the second. Matt Dermody pitched in relief of Latos in the sixth inning and kept the Braves in check for a full frame, allowing two hits.
Murphy Smith and Leonel Campos (S, 3) closed out the final innings, keeping the Gwinnett from reaching base.
The win is Buffalo’s only of a three game series with the G-Braves and it moves the Herd to 24-20 overall on the season. The Bisons will make a trip up to Charlotte to begin a four game series with the Knights. The first game of that series is scheduled for Friday with Brett Oberholtzer (0-2, 2.35 ERA) on the mound for the Herd while Charlotte expects Chris Volstad (1-2, 6.55 ERA). First pitch for that game is slated at 7:05 p.m.
BISONS NOTES: On top of his home run in the third inning, Jarrod Saltalamacchia went a perfect 3-3 from the plate and also had a walk…The Bisons’ win against the Braves is their first in the last 10 tries, dating back to August 2015…Dwight Smith Jr. was optioned back to Buffalo after a one game stint with the Blue Jays. Smith had a solid 2-4 outing in his first game back with the Herd.
