A lot can happen over the course of a five-month season. But come September, a weekend series in late April could be seen as the most valuable part of the Bisons' year.
One of the toughest starts in recent team history may have come to an end on Sunday afternoon at Dunn Tire Park. A hard-fought 4-3 victory over 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell and the Pawtucket Red Sox gave the Bisons a two-game sweep at the most opportune time.

Josh Barfield homered and scored twice as the Herd collected their first series win of the season. It's also the first time the Bisons have won back-to-back games since the first two contests of the season.

Barfield's two-run shot in the third inning gave the Herd the 2-1 lead. Buffalo's second baseman will be sad to see the PawSox leave town as all four of his homers have come in five games against Pawtucket. Two of the homeruns, including the one on Sunday, came off of starter Kyle Snyder.

Barfield scored again in the sixth inning, knocked in by the hottest hitters in the Herd. Aaron Herr collected his 14th RBI in the last 12 games when he singled with two outs. The hit also extended Herr's hit streak to eight games.

The Bisons then broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ryan Mulhern led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Jason Tyner. Mulhern moved to third on a wild pitch and scored with right fielder Bryan Pritz dropped Yamid Haad's sac fly.

Scott Elarton and Rick Bauer kept the PawSox hitless in the eight and ninth inning respectively to close out the win. Bauer saved both wins this weekend and now has five saves on the season.

The win went to Reid Santos (2-2) for his two inning effort. Brian Slocum allowed two runs, on earned, in five innings of work.

BISONS NOTES: The Bisons defense has turned eight doubleplays in the last three games...The Bisons are a perfect 11-11 stealing bases in their last six games. Josh Barfield stole his fourth base of the season on Sunday...Jordan Brown collected his league-leading 11th double of the season.


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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.