Pre-Game Notes - Buffalo Bisons

Buffalo Bisons (1-1, T3rd(-1.0), North) vs. Rochester Red Wings (2-0, T1st, North)

 

Saturday, April 7, 2012 (4:05 p.m.) - Frontier Field

RHP Chris Schwinden (NR) vs. RHP Daryl Thompson (NR)

TV: Time Warner Cable SportsNet

Radio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com

 

 

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Rochester Red Wings in the first game of a four-game series at Frontier Field (4:05 p.m.). The Herd began its season with a split of a two-game set in Pawtucket. The Bisons will hold their Home Opener on Wednesday, April 11 against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

 

vs. WINGS: The Bisons have won the last two season series with their closest rival, going 11-5 against Rochester in 2010 and 10-6 last year. Buffalo closed out 2011 with a 7-2 record in their final nine games against Rochester. The Herd’s 60 wins at Frontier Field are more than any other visiting ballpark since the club returned to the International League in 1998 (60-51 overall).

 

SCHWING & MISS: RHPCHRIS SCHWINDEN makes his 2012 debut tonight. The 25-year old was an International League All-Star last season as well as the Herd’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Schwinden won eight games a season ago and amassed 134 strikeouts -6th in the International League. Schwinden made five starts against Rochester last season and was 3-1 with a 4.33ERA.

 

REYES RETURNS: OFRAUL REYES was promoted to the Bisons yesterday to fill the void left by the big league promotion of OFKIRK NIEUWENHUIS. Reyes singled in four trips last night and scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning. Reyes made his Triple-A debut with the Herd last season and hit .200 (11-55) with two home runs and eight RBI in 18 games.

 

DEALIN’ DYLAN: RHPDYLAN OWEN earned the club’s first win of 2012 with 3.1 innings of shutout relief. The 25-year old allowed just two hits and picked up a strikeout. The outing continued what was a strong end to 2011 as Owen posted a 3.38ERA in 18 games (16 starts) after June last year.

 

BISONS BITS: RHPFERNANDO CABRERA earned his first save with the Bisons since June 21, 2005. Cabrera pitched in 78 games with Buffalo from 2004-2006 and has more strikeouts (173) than any Bisons reliever in the modern era...This is the Bisons second of three “Opening Day” this year. They lost in Pawtucket’s Opener, 4-2, on Thursday and will hold their home opener on Wednesday in Buffalo...OFVINNY ROTTINO turned 32 years old today.

 

METS UPDATE: After an off day on Friday, the Mets (1-0) are back at it today with a 1:10 p.m. start against Atlanta from Citi Field. RHPR. A. DICKEY get start looking to follow up New York’s 1-0 Opening Day victory on Wednesday. Former Bisons OFKIRK NIEUWENHUIS is expected to be activated for his MLB debut today.