BUFFALO – The Buffalo Bisons were able to get back in the win column with a 12-2 triumph over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Friday night at Sahlen Field. The win allowed them to move back into a tie for first place in the International League East.
Buffalo was able to draw first blood in the bottom of the 1st thanks to some patience at the plate and timely hitting. Addison Barger started things with a lead-off walk before eventually stealing second, his second stolen base of the season. Spencer Horwitz then also reached on a walk and got home as Davis Schneider delivered the goods with a two-RBI double, giving him a team-leading 60 for the year.
That would not phase the RailRiders, however, as they responded immediately with a pair of runs in the top of the second to even the score. Three different batters walked at various points of the inning: Andres Chaparro, Jake Lamb and Brandon Lockridge. With the bases loaded and two outs, Estevan Florial came through with a two-RBI single, his second single in as many plate appearances and 57th RBI of the season.
The Bisons were not phased themselves as they quickly regained the lead in their half of the second thanks again to some patience and a bit of good fortune. Luis De Los Santos and Rafael Lantigua both reached on walks before Tyler Heineman put down a sacrifice bunt.
A fielding error on the play allowed De Los Santos to score as the RailRiders did not record a single out. Barger then drew his second walk of the game before Ernie Clement provided a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.
The Herd would add onto their lead with some productive plate appearances in the bottom of the third. Schneider got his second double of the game to get things started then advanced to third on a groundout by Orelvis Martinez. De Los Santos then got Schneider home with an RBI single, his 23rd of the year.
Buffalo then turned the game into a runaway with a monster bottom of the fourth in which all nine batters came to the plate. Heineman started the inning with a single, then stole second and reached third on an infield single by Cameron Eden.
A balk then advanced Heineman to home and Eden to second. Barger then drew his third walk of the game before Clement put down a bunt in which everyone reached safely. A bases clearing double by Horwitz blew the game open at 9-2 and gave him 56 RBIs for the season.
The two teams will meet back at Sahlen Field on Saturday night for game five of the six-game set. RHP Wes Parsons (2-2, 4.73) will take the mound for the Bisons while RHP Clayton Beeter (1-1, 3.26) will start for the RailRiders. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET.
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