Mid-Series Post

Pic swiped from DJF, because it's fucking awesome.

While I watch the Penguins/Islanders game 6 and die a little inside with each Crosby shift that doesn't produce a goal, I am left with the desire to distract myself.

What better than a Bisons game? I'll tell you what. A Ricky Romero Bisons start.

Now, there's probably not too many people out there who are bigger Ricky Romero fans than I am. I don't care that he's awful, or at least has been since the 2012 season began. What I care about is that Ricky came in a few years back and gave the Jays solid work from an unexpected place. It doesn't hurt that he throws with his left hand, either.

So, onto the first 2 games of the series.

Game 1:

The Bisons got to Corcino early in this one, with singles from Negrych and Sierra prior to a 2 run Mauro Gomez double. Billy Hamilton led off the home half by hitting a HR, cutting the lead in half.

Eugenio Velez led off the 2nd with a HR of his own, and 2 batters later Anthony Gose belts a 2-run HR of his own. The Bisons lead 5-1. They would add 1 in the 4th on a wild pitch, scoring Negrych and making it 6-1.

In the bottom of the 6th, Billy Hamilton would hit his 2nd HR of the game leading off the inning. In the 7th, the Bats would come on strong against Chad Beck, in for Dave Bush. The inning went single, walk, single. 6-3 Herd. Single, single. 6-4 Herd. Pop out, single. 6-5 Herd. Neil Wagner would take over and strikeout the next 2 batters ending the threat.

Wagner would go on to strikeout the side in the 8th, and pitch a clean 9th to get the 2.2 IP save. Mauro Gomez added a HR in the top of the 9th to make the final 7-5.

Multi-hit games from Jim Negrych (2-4, BB), Moises Sierra (2-5), Mauro Gomez (2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI), and Eugenio Velez (2-4, HR, BB). Neil Wagner was tremendous in relief with 6 Ks in 2.2 IP. Billy Hamilton went 3-5 with 2 HR for the Bats.

Game 2:

The Bisons struck first again in this one with a 2-run HR from Luis Jimenez. Billy Hamilton would strike back in the home half with a single, advanced to 2nd on a ground-out, stole 3rd base, and scored on a Ricky Romero wild pitch.

The Bisons would counter with a run scoring fielder's choice in the 3rd, giving Gomez an RBI. In the home half, Hamilton would lead off with a single, advance on a balk, and score on a Henry Rodriguez single. Romero would walk the next batter, then get a double play ball. He walked Hessman, then gave up a single to score a run and tie the game. Another single would follow, giving the Bats a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 4th, Romero would continue to struggle. Lead off single, fly out, single, walk, single. 6-3 Bats. Romero would walk another before being pulled.

The Bisons would drive back with a Moises Sierra 2-run HR and an Andy LaRoche 3-run HR in the 5th. 8-6 Bisons. Felix Perez would homer for the Bats in the 6th, making it 8-7 Herd.

Mauro Gomez hit a HR in the 7th of the oppo-taco variety. 9-7 Herd. Ryan Goins added a HR of his own the lead off the 8th and make it 10-7, which is where it would end.

Multi-hit games from Jim Negrych (2-4, BB), Luis Jimenez (2-4, BB, HR, 2 RBI), Josh Thole (3-5), and Ryan Goins (2-4, HR). Bobby Korecky went 2.1 IP with 1 ER in relief to pick up the win. Juan Perez pitched 2.2 IP for the save. Billy Hamilton went 2-5 for the Bats, scoring 2 runs for the 2nd straight game.

Ricky Romero ended the game with the following line: 3.2 IP. 10 hits. 5 walks. 0 strikeouts. 6 earned runs. Ugly. He may be getting to the point where he needs to start over and succeed somewhere before he gets another shot even in AAA. That hurts to type.

In some housekeeping news, Edgar Gonzalez cleared waivers, but has decided to test free agency instead of report back to Buffalo. Live long and prosper my friend.

Tomorrow's afternoon tilt will feature Justin Germano for the good guys facing off against almost perfect game thrower Armando Gallaraga. First pitch is 2:05 PM.