STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dan Butler‘s two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning propelled the Pawtucket Red Sox to a 9-8 victory over the Bisons on Friday night at Coca-Cola Field.
Butler’s second home run of the year was the biggest blow in a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple rallies from each team. For their part, Pawtucket scored in six different frames, capping the night with the two-run 10th.
Pawtucket built a 4-1 lead early in the game thanks to a pair of runs in the third and then solo home runs from Jordan Betts and Mike Olt in the fifth and sixth innings respectively. But the Bisons went to work in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring four times to take their first lead of the night. Jason Leblebijian walked with the bases loaded and the red-hot Tim Lopes dropped a two-run double down the right field line. Dalton Pompey followed with a ground out to first to score Leblebijian for the 5-4 advantage.
That lead was short-lived, however, as Rusney Castillo doubled to deep centerfield in the seventh after Pawtucket number nine hitter Mike Miller drew a two-out walk from reliver Matt Dermody. Then, the PawSox got back out in front in the eighth when Aneury Tavarez singled up the middle with the bases loaded to give his team the 7-5 lead.
The Bisons re-tied the game at seven in the eight thanks to some productive outs. The Herd loaded the bases on singles from Leblebijian and Lopes and a walk by Pompey. Dwight Smith Jr.and Anthony Alford both beat out potential doubleplays to each bring home a run.
The Bisons had a chance to win the game in the ninth inning after Reese McGuire reached on an error and Gift Ngoepe singled on the infield. With one out, Lopes stung another baseball towards center. What normally would have been his fourth hit of the night turned into a lineout with the outfielders playing in. Pinch runner Roemon Fields was then thrown out at the plate trying to score thanks to a perfect throw from Castillo.
Sam Gaviglio started for Buffalo but did not earn a decision. He allowed four runs on six hits in six innings of work. He struck out five and walked none. Sam Moll was saddled with the loss in relief.
BISONS NOTES:
Tim Mayza was activated to the Bisons prior to the game after being optioned by the Blue Jays…Tim Lopes finished the game 3-5 and has now hitting an IL-best .472 on the season. With two sacrifice flies and an RBI-ground out, Dwight Smith Jr. finished the game with three RBI despite going 0-4 at the plate…Six of the eight Bisons runs on the night were scored by their 7-8-9 hitters of Gift Ngoepe, Jason Leblebijian and Tim Lopes.
Tim Mayza was activated to the Bisons prior to the game after being optioned by the Blue Jays…Tim Lopes finished the game 3-5 and has now hitting an IL-best .472 on the season. With two sacrifice flies and an RBI-ground out, Dwight Smith Jr. finished the game with three RBI despite going 0-4 at the plate…Six of the eight Bisons runs on the night were scored by their 7-8-9 hitters of Gift Ngoepe, Jason Leblebijian and Tim Lopes.
