BUFFALO — The Buffalo Bisons were defeated on Thursday night at Sahlen Field by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 5-1. The setback snapped Buffalo’s three game winning streak and dropped their second-half record to 14-9.
After a scoreless first inning, the RailRiders were able to strike first in the top of the second. Jamie Westbrook drew a lead-off walk before advancing to second on a groundout. After a strikeout by Michael Hermosillo, Brandon Lockridge would drive Westbrook in with a two-out RBI single, his sixth RBI of the season.
The Bisons would respond immediately in their half of the inning. Orelvis Martinez started the party with a one-out walk before Tanner Morris advanced him to second with his sixth hit in as many plate appearances dating back to Wednesday night.
A four-pitch walk to Stevie Berman then loaded the bases and Cameron Eden finished the job with an RBI single to tie the game, his 33rd of the season and lone run for Buffalo in the game.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre would answer right back in the top of the third. Oswaldo Cabrera drew a lead-off walk, then advanced to third on a single by Austin Wells. After a strikeout to Andres Chaparro, a single by Franchy Cordero would drive Cabrera in with his 32nd RBI of the year to give the RailRIders the lead back at 2-1.
After a handful of uneventful innings, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre would add onto their lead in a big way in the top of the sixth. With one out, Lockridge reached with his second single of the game, then stole second. An RBI double by Estevan Florial (his 55th RBI of the season) quickly drove Lockridge home to make it 3-1. Cabrera then added onto the Scranton lead with an RBI single, his 1st of the season.
The final RailRiders run of the inning came courtesy of a groundout with the bases loaded by Cordero to make it 5-1. That would prove to be more than enough offense for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to emerge victorious.
It was a tough night offensively for the Herd as they managed just three hits on the night and left seven runners on base while going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They simply couldn’t solve any of the RailRiders pitchers for any lengthy period, whether it was Randy Vasquez, Zach Greene, Matt Bowman or Greg Weissert, who combined to strikeout 13 Bisons hitters.
One notable highlight for the Bisons was Eden’s 40th stolen base of the season in the bottom of the seventh. He initially reached base after being hit by a pitch. The steal moves Eden into sole possession of third place in the Bisons single season modern era stolen base list.
Nathan Lukes also drew two walks in the game.
The two teams will meet back at Sahlen Field for game four of their six-game series on Friday night. RHP Paxton Schultz (1-3, 3.86) will take the mound for the Bisons while RHP Will Warren (4-3, 4.39) will start for the RailRiders. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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