In most games, victory is about the team that makes the most out of their opportunities. That's exactly what the Bisons did on Sunday to collect their fifth and sixth wins in the last eight days.
The Herd jumped on a pair of Knights' fielding miscues to complete a doubleheader sweep of Charlotte from Dunn Tire Park. Both contests were tied late, but Buffalo found a way to pull out each game.
In game one, a Fernando Cortez's throwing error opened the door to a two-run rally for the Bisons as they won 6-4. Rob Bell's error in the night cap jumped started the Herd to a 1-0 victory. Both miscues came while the respective games were tied.
Michael Aubrey benefited from Cortez's mistake in game one, reaching to lead off the bottom of the sixth of a 4-4 game. Jason Cooper followed with a walk and Jason Tyner singled to load the bases. Catcher Wyatt Toregas then jumped on the first pitch he saw from reliever Dewon Day and drove it into left field for the game-winning hit.
There was no scoring in the second game until Brad Snyder hit a swinging bunt back to Bell to lead off the fifth. The former Bison threw wildly to first and the Bisons started another game-winning rally. Tyner again kept the inning going with a single and Yamid Haad was hit with a pitch when he squared around to sacrifice. Josh Barfield gave Buffalo the only run they would need when he dropped a single into shallow right field.
Buffalo had great pitching all afternoon. Rich Rundles (2-1) got the win in game one when he slammed the door shut on the Knights. The Bisons had a 4-0 lead after the first inning, but Charlotte clawed back to tie the contest. Rundles came in and struck out five in 2.1 innings of relief to silence the Knights.
Rick Bauer closed out game one for his sixth save of the season.
In the second game, Jason Stanford (3-3) never let the Knights get going. The southpaw allowed just four singles in six innings of work. He fanned three and retired 11 of 13 at one point.
Edward Mujica got the save in game two, pitching the top of the seventh inning. He received great support in the field as Tyner robbed Cortez with a sliding grab in left field.
BISONS NOTES:Bisons manager Torey Lovullo was ejected in the bottom of the first inning of game two...Andy Gonzalez had two doubles in the second game...Jason Tyner went a combined 2-5 with a walk...Four consecutive Bisons knocked in runs in the Herd's four-run first inning in game one. Michael Aubrey and Aaron Herr singled in runs. Andy Gonzalez beat out a potential doubleplay to plate a third run. Jason Cooper tripled to deep right-center to score Gonzalez.
