STAFF REPORTS
TOLEDO, O.H. — A five-run third inning and 12 total hits by the Buffalo offense propelled the Bisons to a 9-5 win in the series finale against the Mud Hens from Fifth Third Field.
The third inning played a large role in the victory on Thursday as the Herd rebounded nicely from a five-hit performance Wednesday night. In that inning, Buffalo batted around the order and broke the game open to push the lead to seven runs, building off an early two-run advantage.
Ian Parmley started off the inning with a single and Roemon Fields followed by picking up his second hit of the game with a single. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. kept the hit parade moving with the third consecutive single of the inning. The hit drove home Parmley.
With no outs, the Bisons loaded the bases after Smith Jr. drew a walk, and Danny Jansen seized the opportunity by ripping a bases-clearing double down the third base line. Then, Tim Lopes’ RBI-single scored Jason Leblebijian from second to cap off the five-run frame.
Jansen polished off an effective game as the designated hitter going 2-5 at the plate with five RBI and Fields continued to find his way on base out of the leadoff spot. He reached base on all but one of his five plate appearances–hitting a double and single to go along with two walks.
In the fifth and sixth, the Bisons bats stayed hot after the Mud Hens scored three runs. Jansen crushed a 0-2 hanging curveball for a solo home run to lead off the fifth against Phillippe Almonte and in the sixth, the Bisons scored another run on Gurriel Jr.’s sacrifice fly.
Deck McGuire got the starting nod on the mound for the Bisons and complemented the offense with a quality six-inning outing. Through the first two innings, McGuire already registered four punch outs and by the time his start was finished, he racked up seven strikeouts. He improved his record to 4-2 on the season.
Justin Shafer came on in the ninth and pitched a perfect inning to seal the victory. He retired the tail end of the Mud Hens’ lineup in order to provide a fitting end to the win in the final game of the series against Toledo.