INDIANAPOLIS (Bisons.com) - The Bisons offense finally got on track Saturday, using a four-run fifth inning to beat the Indians, 6-3, at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Buffalo had gone thirteen straight games without scoring more than three runs in a game but Andy Green's two-out, three-run triple in the fifth and some sloppy Indians defense helped the Herd snap the streak. Green finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Robinson Cancel and Nick Evans each chipped in with two hits and a run scored.
The Bisons fifth inning rally started with singles by Cancel and Wilson Valdez. With one-out, Herd starter Lance Broadway laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt that Indians pitcher Daniel McCutchen bobbled which allowed Broadway to reach and loaded the bases. After Argenis Reyes lined out to second, Green delivered the bases-clearing triple off the centerfield wall. Jesus Feliciano followed with a drive of his own to center that Chris Barnwell could not corral. The second error in the inning allowed Green score and put the Herd ahead 4-0.
But the Herd offense wasn't finished as they tacked on runs in the sixth and seventh inning after the Indians scored two runs in the fifth to cut into the lead. Back-to-back extra-base hits by Evans and Cancel to lead off the sixth plated the Herd's fifth run of the game. After singles by Green and Jesus Feliciano in the seventh, a wild pitch scored Green from third that gave the Herd the 6-2 advantage.
It had to feel like déjà vu for the Bisons with McCutchen (9-6) on the mound. The last time the Herd faced the big right-hander he held the Bisons to just two runs on three hits in seven innings after carrying a no-hitter through six innings. Heading into the fifth inning on Saturday the Bisons had only managed two hits and McCutchen seemed to be hitting his stride, retiring 10 straight Bisons.
Meanwhile Lance Broadway exacted some revenge against the Indians after getting roughed up for seven runs in 4.2 innings in his previous start against Indianapolis this season. Broadway went seven innings gave up three runs on six hits and struck out five on Saturday to earn his third victory of the season for the Bisons.
Jon Switzer worked the final two innings, striking out two, to pick up his first save of the season.
The Herd and I-Tribe play game three of the four-game set on Sunday with Tobi Stoner set to make the start for the Bisons. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
BISONS NOTES:
Bisons LHP Jonathon Niese was recalled by the Mets on Saturday and got the start against Houston Saturday night. Niese went seven innings, allowed just one run on four hits and three strikeouts to earn his second career major league victory and first of the season for the Mets. Niese was 5-0 with a 0.73 ERA in his last seven starts for Buffalo... RHP Brandon Knight was released from his contract on Saturday as the veteran plans to play in the Korean Baseball Organization this season... INF Mark Kiger has come off the Herd disabled list and has been assigned to Binghamton. Kiger missed 54 games with a left hand strain...Former Bison Cory Sullivan picked up his first RBI of the season for the Mets with a first inning single against Russ Ortiz in Houston... The last time the Bisons scored six or more runs in a game was back on July 4, when they beat Rochester, 8-3.
