STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jonathan Davis set a new Bisons modern era record by collecting a hit in eight consecutive at-bats, but it came in a losing effort as the Herd dropped an 8-5 decision to Pawtucket on Saturday night from Coca-Cola Field. The Bisons now have just two more home games in the 2018 season, starting with Sunday’s 1pm matinee against the PawSox (TICKETS).
Davis used a first-inning single and then his fifth home run of the season in the second to set the new record. The stretch actually began on Wednesday night as the outfielder had a two-run double and triple to end his night in Buffalo’s 7-3 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After getting Thursday’s game off, Davis was 4-4 with a home run and a hit by pitch on Friday.
Davis’ single to lead off the game tied the record last set by Moises Sierra during the 2013 season. He then raced home on Dwight Smith Jr.’s double to give the Bisons an early 1-0 lead. After Pawtucket tied the game at two in the second on Michael Chavis‘ second home run in as many nights, Davis matched the feat of the Red Sox top prospect by launching his second blast in as many games. This one, an opposite field blast gave Buffalo a 3-2 edge.
But just when the PawSox finally retired Davis, Saturday’s contest turned. With the Bisons ahead 4-2 in the fourth, Brandon Phillips turned a hard smash from Davis into an inning-ending doubleplay. Pawtucket then scored a run in the fifth and blew the game open with four unearned runs in the sixth. Josh Ockimey followed a two-out error by the Bisons with a two-run home run to right field to give the PawSox their first lead of the night. Long-time Pawtucket catcher Dan Butlerfollowed with a two-run double to put the opposition up 7-4.
The Bisons brought the tying runs to the plate in both the seventh and eighth inning but couldn’t get the clutch hit they needed to pull even. Anthony Alford‘s RBI-single in the seventh made the score 7-5, but that was as close as the Bisons would get as Pawtucket added an insurance run in the ninth.
Luis Santos took the loss for the Bisons, even though all three runs he allowed in the sixth inning were unearned. Mike Hauschild started for Buffalo and allowed three runs in five innings of a no-decision.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 1-3 with a pair of walks and an RBI in the defeat. He is now hitting .372 with the Herd.
