7/24/12

Charlotte 9 , Buffalo 5

The Buffalo Bisons were unable to overcome Charlotte's five-run explosion in the top of the fifth, as the Herd fell to the Knights, 9-6, at Coca-Cola Field on Monday evening.
Trailing 2-0 through one complete frame, the Bisons answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to tie the contest at 2-2. Matt Tuiasosopo snapped a 0-for-12 streak at the plate with a shot through the leftside to load the bases. Off sacrifice fly to deep center, Zach Lutz scored from third to pull the Herd within one, 2-1. With runners at the corners, Rob Johnson muscled a shot down the leftfield line to score Satin, tying the game at 2-2.

In the top of the third, the Knights recaptured the lead as Conor Jackson grounded into a force out at second, allowing Drew Garcia to give the Knights a 3-2 lead. A double down the rightfield line would put runners in scoring position at second and third with two outs. On the next at bat, Familia would bring the Knights' scoring threat to an end, striking out Hector Gimenez.
Facing two outs and a full count in the bottom of the third, newcomer Mike Baxter sprung a shot to center, driving in Valentino Pascucci from second to knot the contest at 3-3.
The Knights took an 8-3 lead in the top of the fifth off five runs with two outs. With the bases loaded and a full count, Justin Greene connected on the payoff pitch, dropping a shot into right field to drive in Garcia and Conor Jackson for a Charlotte 5-3 lead. In the next at bat, Jim Gallagher extended the Knights' lead to 8-3 with his first home run of the season, a three-run longball over the rightfield wall.
The Herd cut into the Knights' advantage in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of tallies, 8-5. To lead off the inning, Tuiasosopo sent his second screaming shot into left field of the evening. Next up, den Dekker pulled a shot off the wall over the head of the leftfielder for a RBI-triple as Tuiasosopo raced home from first to cut into the Knights' advantage, 8-4. On a ground out to third by Rob Johnson, den Dekker scored from third, trimming Charlotte's lead to 8-5.
Trailing 9-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Zach Lutz belted his fifth home run of the season over the leftfield wall to lead off the inning.
Starter Pedro Hernandez (1-0) recorded his first career win in 5.0 innings, striking out six batters. Hernandez allowed three runs off six total hits. Closer Brian Omogrosso secured his third save of the season in 2.0 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three batters.
In 4.2 innings of work, starter Jeurys Familia (7-6) collected the loss for the Herd, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks. The righty also struckout four batters.
Reliever Manny Acosta provided the Herd with 2.0 solid innings of work, retiring the six batters he faced while striking out the final batter he faced.
The Bisons return to action Tuesday evening as they open a four-game road series against Louisville at Louisville Slugger Field at 7:05 p.m.
Bisons Notes:Familia made his team-leading 21st of the seaso... Lutz' solo shot in the bottom of the seventh was the Bisons' first home run of their home series versus Charlotte.

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