STAFF REPORTS
LAWRENCEVILLE, G.A. — The Bisons got on the board first, but their momentum was stymied as the Stripers plated five unanswered runs to deal a 5-1 loss to the Herd Saturday night from Coolray Field.
Just three batters into the game, the Herd held a 1-0 lead on a double into the left-field corner by Anthony Alford. The extra-base hit scored Dwight Smith Jr., who motored home all the way from first.
Alford reached base twice after his first at-bat – on an error in the fourth and a single in the sixth, to cap off a multi-hit game.
After the run-producing first turn at the dish, the Bisons struggled to make solid contact on Touki Toussaint‘s bending curveball. The Herd trailed by a run and went hitless from the beginning of the second until Roemon Fields used his speed to bunt for a single with two outs in the fifth.
The Herd struck out nine times against Touissant and 12 times throughout the game. Buffalo also went 0-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. Despite the loss, the Bisons turned three double plays.
The Bisons hovered within striking distance of the lead, but a two-run home run by Dustin Peterson with two outs in the sixth allowed Gwinnett to extend its advantage to three runs.
Left-hander Shawn Morimando was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays on July 9 and made his Bisons debut Saturday. He has experience pitching in the International League for the Columbus Clippers, where he amassed a 16-14 record in 42 career starts.
He threw three innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Morimando kept the Bisons in the game by working around a two-out, bases loaded jam before the Stripers scored two in the sixth.
