STAFF REPORTS
The Herd dropped their last of a three-game series with Columbus, 5-4, on Friday night at Huntington Park after a pair of fielding errors with the game tied in the ninth.
Clippers left fielder Daniel Robertson lead the charge for the victors, reaching first base with a line drive single and then got into scoring position at second after a throwing error by Michael Saunders. On the ensuing at bat Josh Wilson batted a pitch over to Gregorio Petit at short and Petit failed to connect on his throw, allowing Robertson to reach home plate.
Columbus tied the game up at four runs in the bottom of the seventh with Bisons pitcher Andrew Case on the mound. Ronny Rodriguez found himself ahead in the count 2-0 before sending a pitch deep to right-center field for his tenth home run of the season.
Trailing in the early stages of the game, the Clippers used consistent scoring to get back into the game. Richie Shaffer grabbed the Clippers their first lead of night with a solo home run to right field. The homer was the outfielder’s twenty-first of the season.
The Bisons had a lead in the seventh inning with Andrew Guillotte on second base after hitting a line drive ball to center field. Trailing 3-2, Jon Berti grabbed his second home run of the season after batting a pitch deep towards right field to give the Herd a one run advantage.
Also of note was Raffy Lopez continuing his scoring touch of the past three days. Sitting in the designated hitter slot, Lopez took the first pitch he saw from Shawn Morimando and blasted it towards right field for his twelfth home run of the season-breaking a tie with Mike Ohlman for most homers this season with the Bisons.
The Herd had a total of five pitchers step out on the mound throughout the day. Murphy Smith was given the starting nod on short rest and went for three innings and gave up one run. The next five innings saw appearances from Joe Smith, John Stilson, and Case with each of them allowing a run. Griffin Glaude (L, 0-1) closed the game out with a non-earned run under his watch.
Even though they lost, the Bisons claim the series after winning the two previous games with the Clippers. The Herd will continue their road trip with a four-game series with Louisville on Thursday. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will have Luis Santos (3-7, 3.79 ERA) on the mound for the Bisons and the Bats will have Tyler Mahle (1-3, 3.54 ERA) pitching at the start of the game.
BISONS NOTES: Raffy Lopez’s home run is his third in three days while also batting 5-12 in that span…This is the first series win for the Bisons sine their home stand with Lehigh Valley in June…Cesar Valdez was originally scheduled to start in tonight’s game, but was called up to Toronto…Andrew Case was assigned to the Bisons and made his Triple-A debut tonight. He had just spent time playing for Toronto’s Double-A affiliate New Hampshire.
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