Inside Pitch

More from Monday night

Monday night's marathon was the longest game of the season for the Bisons in both innings (14) and time (4 hours, 41 minutes). Michael Aubrey was intentionally walked three times. His five free passes on the season are tied for the team lead with Jordan Brown. Jason Cooper led the team last year with five intentional walks. Here's the Bisons' starting lineup for tonight's game against Norfolk:

Jorge Velandia, SS
Andy Gonzalez, 2B
Michael Aubrey, DH
Todd Linden, RF
Jordan Brown, 1B
Morgan Ensberg, 3B
Brad Snyder, CF
Yamid Haad, C
Jason Tyner, LF
John Halama, P

---Rodney McKissic

Jackson gets the nod tonight

Lefty Zach Jackson is making his first start with the Bisons tonight when the Herd faces Norfolk. In four relief appearances, Jackson has allowed one run with six Ks in 62/3 innings. A year ago, Jackson led Triple-A Nashville in starts (28) and innings pitched (169.2). Here is the lineup for tonight's game:

Jorge Velandia, SS
Andy Gonzalez, 2B
Michael Aubrey, DH
Todd Linden, RF
Jordan Brown, 1B
Chris Gimenez, C
Morgan Ensberg, 3B
Jason Cooper, LF
Jason Tyner, CF
Zach Jackson, P

--The start of the game is delayed because some of the warning track is under water due to heavy rains this afternoon. The game is now scheduled to start at 7:45 p.m.

---Rodney McKissic

Papi going deep for Pawsox

Good news for Red Sox fans: David Ortiz has homered on back-to-back nights on rehab with Pawtucket. The Bisons, by the way, only have two games left with the Pawsox (Aug. 29-30 on the road), so there won't be any Big Papi sightings in Buffalo.

---Mike Harrington

My client has been wronged, your honor

A bizarre piece of news out of Minnesota; Francisco Liriano's agent is questioning why the Triple-A Rochester pitcher is not back with the Twins while tacitly accusing the traditionally tightfisted team of keeping his client in the minors to prevent Liriano from qualifying for salary arbitration.

Greg Genske is calling for a union investigation, and you have to wonder what kind of precedent this will set. Here's the scenario: Liriano has two years and 45 days of big league service time while a player needs three years to qualify for arbitration. The top 17 percent of players with between two and three years of time also qualify as "Super Twos." Genske says there's no reason Liriano should not be in the big leagues working toward the arbitration threshold, which reports indicate would likely net him an additional $1 million in 2009 salary.

Liriano, a rookie sensation in the first half of 2006 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A Rochester this year. And lately he's been dominant -- he shut down the Tides on Thursday. The 24-year-old left-hander is 7-0 with a 2.93 ERA in his last nine starts, though to be fair two came against Buffalo (only kidding ... kind of). I suppose it wouldn't hurt the Twins to replace 33-year-old Livan Hernandez, who has a 7.28 ERA over his last 10 starts.

But come on, does the Liriano camp not seem out of line here? It's one thing if the Twins were in the cellar. But Minnesota might be the hottest team in baseball, winning 21 of their last 28 games and fighting Chicago atop the AL Central. And even if the Twins promoted Liriano today, there's less than three months less in the season, meaning he would not have enough time to qualify for arbitration even as a "Super Two."

Yes, the Twins are a frugal bunch. But it's hard to imagine they are out to "get" Liriano in the way Genske claims. And it seems like any union action (retroactively adding service time?) could be disastrous. Where, as Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, would it end?

"No one is going to tell us who is going to be on our team," Gardenhire told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I don't know who is throwing this out there, but it is a joke. ... We have a player in Double-A who's got like 18 homers. His agent is going to start calling us. They cannot dictate what we are going to do."

Interesting case. What do you think baseball should do here?

--- David Briggs

Koplove the Olympian; Vizquel retiring?

Interesting to see Mike Koplove make the USA Olympic baseball team announced Wednesday. Remember him last year in Buffalo? The 31-year-old reliever with the funny arm slot has had quite the 18-month run. Signed in January 2007 by the Marlins and released in March, Koplove agreed to a minor league contract with the Indians and thrived last season. Splitting the closer's role with Ed Mujica, Koplove went 4-2 with 14 saves and a 2.50 ERA in 51 appearances at Buffalo. The Dodgers then picked him up in December after the Tribe didn't re-sign him. And now pitching for L.A.'s Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s in the Pacific Coast League, he's 1-1 with seven saves and a 3.40 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.

Maybe not Olympic stuff by every standard, but USA manager Davey Johnson said a guy like Koplove has a place on his roster.

"You liked to have some experienced guys that aren’t just throwers," Johnson said in a conference call Wednesday. "His influence on the pen will be outstanding. It’s really good to have guys that have been through it, guys that have been up in the big leagues. He’s also a guy I can use more frequently than a young power arm."

                                                                  ----------

Just got around to reading Tom Verducci's excellent piece in last week's SI on Tim Lincecum, and the remarkably violent, but efficient, mechanics behind the 170-pounder's 98-mph heat.

Check it out, if only for Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro's scouting report on the guy from before the 2005 draft. The Tribe actually selected Lincecum in the 42nd round (No. 1,261 overall) that June following his sophomore season at the University of Washington. Here's the organization's write-up on Lincecum, as recalled by Shapiro to SI.

"No. 2 starter.... Wonder if he's going to hold up as a starter.... Freaky..... Maybe a Frankie Rodriguez[-type] bullpen guy.... Potential closer/setup man.... Potential front of the rotation....." Shapiro said. "We're split. Probably more reliever than starter. There was some concern that he would have to get to the big leagues quickly because you weren't sure he could make it through the usual four hundred to five hundred innings as a starter in the minors. His arm speed is ridiculous -- like it's going to fly off one day."

Lincecum turned down the Tribe's offer, was drafted 10th overall by the GIants the next year and has become an instant star. Yet the Indians have no regrets. Cleveland scouting director John Mirabelli told MLB.com that the Indians made a "very aggressive offer," in 2005 while acknowledging that Lincecum made the right choice to stay in school.

"I want to give some credit to our scouts for identifying what a lot of people didn't see at that time," Mirabelli said to MLB.com. "We knew we were right about the guy and we felt good about that."

About the only thing stopping Lincecum these days is, well, appearing on the cover of SI. On the morning of his first All-Star Game Tuesday, he woke up with the flu and ended up spending the day at a New York City emergency room instead of Yankee Stadium. Go figure.

(Photo: Sports Illustrated) 

                                                                  ----------

Is Omar Vizquel about to retire? The Denver Post reports there is "simmering buzz" that Vizquel, embarrassed by his recent play, is considering abruptly walking away from the game.

Vizquel, who returned to Cleveland last month for the first time since his last season with the Tribe in '04, is hitting just .153 in 44 games since returning in May from knee surgery. But while he's acknowledged his frustration, Vizquel told the San Francisco Chronicle the report is "false."

We'll take his word. The guy still has value, just being one of the game's top defensive shortstops. Hard, though, to see No. 13 go out like this.

                                                                  ----------

Who says Cleveland's season is lost? Look at all the history these guys are chasing. The Tribe could be the most black and blue team in league history by year's end. Indians batters have been hit by pitches 57 times already and are on pace to be nailed 98 times. That would break the club record set last year (80) and the league record set by Toronto in 1996 (92). Check out the club's gloves, too. Cleveland, whose .988 fielding percentage leads the majors, is on pace to commit just 71 errors this season, which would break the American League record set by Vizquel's 2000 Tribe (72).

Nevermind that Indians' 41-53 record is their worst at the break since 1992 (36-52). Expect record second-half gates at Progressive Field, with ear-splitting cheers following every cleanly fielded 4-3 groundout.

--- David Briggs

Annual manager's meltdown: minors edition

In 2006, there was Joe Mikulik, the manager of the Class A Asheville Tourists who displayed his displeasure with a call by diving headfirst into second base. Last year, there was Philip Wellman, the manager of the Double-A Mississippi Braves who memorably crawled like a soldier toward the mound before hurling the rosin bag like a hand grenade. Now, there's Kash Beauchamp, manager of the independent Wichita Wingnuts.

Good grief.

--- David Briggs

Amazing "catch" is a hoax

Those yucksters at Gatorade sure have YouTube, chat rooms, blogs and even "Good Morning America" humming because of this purported amazing catch by a ballgirl at a Fresno Grizzlies game in the Pacific Coast League.

Alas, it's a hoax. All for an ad. Read the true tale here. But enjoy the video anyway. Pretty cool.

---Mike Harrington

Mets, Jays put Herd in tough spot

In Sunday's Inside Baseball column, I take a look at the managerial moves made by the Mets and Blue Jays -- and how the odd behavior in the teams' front offices has to give the Bisons reason to have doubts about forging a relationship with either next season.

Many teams will probably be interested in coming to Buffalo in 2009. But the only two that make geographic sense, would interest fans here and are available are the Mets and Jays (the Yankees, Red Sox and Pirates aren't available). The Nationals are certainly going to be interested as well but I think it's unlikely the Bisons would sign with them. No recognition here at all.

Still, with managers out and GMs Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi both on shaky ground, the Bisons could face a situation where the people they sign with come September aren't the ones running the teams come October.

We've had this discussion before but with the big changes in New York and Toronto, it's worth pursuing again. So what does the Herd do now: Bite the bullet and sign with the Mets or Jays regardless of whatever happens in those front offices? Sign with the Nationals? Look elsewhere?

---MIke Harrington

Openers in NY-P League

If you're giving up long-distance drives this summer to see big-league games, the folks in Batavia and Jamestown have some alternatives for you. New York-Penn League action started Tuesday night and the home opener for the Batavia Muckdogs (love that name) is tonight in Dwyer Stadium.

The Muckdogs, who nearly went kaput in the offseason, have a new GM in David Wellenzohn (a former Bisons front-office man) and are now being run by the neighboring Rochester Red Wings, who generously stepped in to help keep the team afloat operationally. They are a Cardinals affiliate.

The Jamestown Jammers are owned by Rich Baseball Operations and are a Marlins affiliate. They won their home opener over State College, 7-6, Tuesday night but have already been rained out for Wednesday.

---Mike Harrington

Dice-K vs. the IronPigs

The Bisons and Durham Bulls were suspended tonight after waiting out the rain for 1 hour, 50 minutes (Durham leads, 2-1, in the bottom of the third and the game will be resumed Tuesday at 5:30). Meanwhile, Boston Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka waited even longer for his rehab assignment to start as Pawtucket is playing tonight at Lehigh Valley in a game that started more than two hours late. Dice-K hasn't pitched in nearly a month because of a shoulder strain.

Dice-K update: He allowed two runs in five innings -- and even bought his mates for the night a spread of steak and sushi. Nice guy.

---Mike Harrington

On the road again or not?

Look at all the possibilities this summer:

The first-place Cubs come to Toronto for a three-game series starting Friday night. The Reds and Braves hit Rogers Centre June 24-29. The Yankees have three more trips to Toronto while the Red Sox have two and the Indians come to town for a four-gamer in August. The Yankees are in Pittsburgh June 24-26 -- for the first time since Bill Mazeroski's home run cleared the Forbes Field wall in 1960. The Mets are at PNC Park for a four-gamer in August. Cleveland's Progressive Field beckons just three hours away. It's just an hour to a place I love, Frontier Field in Rochester.

For the more adventurous, like the gurus of The Ultimate Sports Road Trip, there's new ballparks to see in Lehigh Valley and Washington. And it's the final year for both Yankee and Shea Stadium.

We love our summer baseball trips. But can we really do it anymore with gas over $4 a gallon and heading to maybe $5 or even $6? I'd love to hear from some regular road trippers out there: Have you cut back or cut out entirely some of your summer sojourns to the ol' ballpark?

---Mike Harrington

Unhittable Huff

Left-hander David Huff is making his Triple A debut tonight for the Herd against the Rochester Red Wings. Huff has posted a 5-1 record with an Eastern League leading 1.92 ERA, and is averaging just under six strikeouts a game in five of his 10 starts. Here's the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Red Wings:

Josh Barfield, 2B
Jorge Velandia, SS
Michael Aubrey, DH
Todd Linden, RF
Jordan Brown, 1B
Aaron Herr, 3B
Brad Snyder, CF
Jason Tyner, LF
Wyatt Toregas, C
David Huffm P

---Rodney McKissic

Tomlin gets the start

The Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday promoted pitcher Josh Tomlin, who is starting tonight's game, from Single-A Kinston. The Bisons also promoted pitcher J.D. Martin from Double-A Akron. Right-handers Tom Mastny and Jensen Lewis were recalled by the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

Josh Barfield, 2B
Jorge Velandia, SS
Jordan Brown, 1B
Todd Linden, RF
Jason Cooper, LF
Aaron Herr, 3B
Brad Snyder, CF
Ryan Mulhern, DH
Wyatt Toregas, C
Josh Tomlin, P

---Rodney McKissic

Pay attention, people

So many bloggable things have happened the last few days while I've been on vacation and maybe I'll catch up at some point but here's the thing I'm wondering about today: Do we have many educated baseball fans in this town or not?

I read Sully's terrific column last week about the attendance woes in Tampa and Florida and he surmised we'd do far more than 15,000 or so a game if we had a first-place team in the majors. I think I agree. But will they all be checking out the sights and smells at the ballpark or rooting hard and paying attention to the game?

To wit, I still get e-mails and hear chatter the Bisons won't be here next year because the Indians are leaving (FOR THE LAST TIME, WE'LL HAVE A NEW PARENT TEAM).

Then I read today's letters to the sports editor (can't find a link on our Web site or I'd link you to it) and John Poole of Kenmore rants and raves about Bisons manager Torey Lovullo, which is his rightful opinion. But then he rambles about how Bob Rich has to do what's right for the fans and fire Lovullo.

Amazing. And absurd.

People, people, people. Come on. The Bisons have been back in Triple-A for 24 seasons and you STILL don't know they don't hire and fire the manager? Only the parent team, the Indians in this case, can do that. Not Bob Rich. Not Mindy Rich. Not Mike Buczkowski or Jon Dandes. Not Buster Bison nor Conehead. Not anyone in Dunn Tire Park.

I wish baseball fans in this town would pay a little more attention to what's going on in the game itself rather than just worrying about their next reduced price ticket or dollar hot dog. (By the way, I also think we shouldn't have wasted the space the letter was printed on by running it. So wrong, it was plain stupid).

End of rant. Vacation over. Back to talking lots of baseball again in this space this week.

---Mike Harrington

Bisons try to end skid

The Buffalo Bisons, who have dropped three consecutive games, take on the Columbus Clippers in the third of a four-game series today. After today's game, the Bisons have an early turnaround with a 10:35 a.m., start tomorrow against the Clippers. Here is the starting lineup for today's game:

Josh Barfield, 2B
Jorge Velandia, SS
Jordan Brown, 1B
Todd Linden, RF
Jason Cooper, LF
Aaron Herr, 3B
Brad Snyder, CF
Ryan Mulhern, DH
Wyatt Toregas, C
Jeremy Sowers, P

---Rodney McKissic 

Bisons sign Reichert

The Bisons are putting Dan Reichert to work immediately. The 31-year-old righthander joins the Herd roster today after being signed by the Indians from the independent Atlantic League. A 1997 first-round pick of the Kansas City Royals, Reichert has pitched in 51 MLB games from 1999-2003 with the Royals and Blue Jays. Here is the starting lineup for this afternoon's game:

Josh Barfield, 2B
Jorde Velandia, SS
Jordan Brown, 1B
Todd Linden, RF
Jason Cooper, LF
Aaron Herr, 3B
Ryan Mulhern, DH
Jason Tyner, CF
Wyatt Toregas, C
Dan Reichert, P

---Rodney McKissic

Bisons honor Griffin

The Buffalo Bisons honored former Buffalo mayor James D. Griffin by painting his initials in front of both dugouts at Dunn Tire Park. The Bisons showed a video tribute and held a moment of silence before the game for the late Griffin. Griffin spearheaded the construction of Pilot Field, now Dunn Tire park, which many consider his crowning glory. Here is the starting lineup for tonight's game:

Josh Barfield, 2B
Jorge Velandia, SS
Jordan Brown, 1B
Todd Linden, RF
Jason Cooper, DH
Aaron Herr, 3B
Brad Snyder, CF
Jason Tyner, LF
Yamid Haad, C
Jeff Harris, P

---Rodney McKissic

Pellegrini gets first professional home run

Injuries plagued the start of St. Bonaventure standout Brian Pellegrini's professional career in 2007.

But in his debut for the Lexington Legends on Thursday night, Pellegrini showed what made him an All-American at Bona. The left fielder went 2 for 4 with a three-run home run for the Legends in a 7-6 loss to Hagerstown.

In three games, for the Legends, Pellegrini is hitting .417 (5 of 12) with two homers and seven runs batted in.

Lexington is an affiliate of the Houston Astros in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Pellegrini was selected by Houston in the 12th round of the 2007 draft but played just six games last year for the Tri-City Valley Cats of the New York-Penn League due to injury.

He is the 13th Bona player to play in the pro ranks since 1991.

To follow Pellegrini, check out the Lexington Legends website. The Legends are scheduled to face rehabbing Cleveland right-hander Jake Westbrook when they play Lake County today.

--- Amy Moritz

Branyan goes deep thrice

From the Whatever Happened To Him Department: Longtime Herd slugger Russell Branyan belted three home runs Friday night to lead Nashville to a 10-8 victory over New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League. He's hitting .374 with 11 home runs for the Sounds, who are Milwaukee's top affiliate. Branyan, of course, had a couple of decent seasons with the Brewers and signed with them again over the winter.

Here's the Nashville Tennessean's report on the game.

Here's minorleaguebaseball.com's report.

---Mike Harrington

More Colon

Bartolo Colon's one-hit gem today against the Buffalo Bisons will be replayed at 7:30 p.m., tonight on Time Warner's SportsNet on Ch. 13.  Here's the lineup for Game 2:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Danny Sandoval, ss
Bronson Sardinha, rf
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, lf
Andy Gonzalez, 1b
Brad Snyder, cf
Ryan Mulhern, dh
Yamid Haad, c
Jason Stanford, p

---Rodney McKissic

Double dip

Today is the Bisons' third doubleheader of the season. The Herd lost a pair in Norfolk on April 6, the fourth day of the season. This afternoon's starters Adam Miller and Jason Stanford, combined to take two from Charlotte on May 4. Here is the starting lineup for Game 1:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Shin-Soo Choo, rf
Michael Aubrey, 1b
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, lf
Bronson Sardinha, dh
Brad Snyder, cf
Danny Sandoval, ss
Wyatt Toregas, c
Adam Miller, p

---Rodney McKissic

Streaking Barfield

Josh Barfield now has the longest hit streak on the Bisons this season. He went 1-for-4 Monday night in Rochester to extend his streak to 11 consecutive games. During the stretch, he has hit .292 with three RBIs and six runs scored. Two other Bisons have had hit streaks of at least 10 games this season: Danny Sandoval and Jason Tyner. Here is the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Pawtucket:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Danny Sandoval, ss
Michael Aubrey, dh
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, rf
Andy Gonzalez, lf
Brad Snyder, cf
Ryan Mulhern, 1b
Wyatt Toregas, c
Brian Slocum, p

---Rodney McKissic

Sowers finally picks up win

Jeremy Sowers had pitched well in the early season for the Buffalo Bisons. It earned him a spot start for the Cleveland Indians against the New York Yankees.

But Sowers had only an 0-2 record and three no-decisions to show for his combined five starts.

Until Thursday night.

Sowers finally picked up his first win as the Herd defeated Charlotte, 5-2, in Dunn Tire Park.

Sowers gave up one run on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks in seven innings of work.

And he finally got run support. In his previous four starts for the Herd, the Bisons averaged just 2.3 runs per game.

With four wins in their last five games, the Bisons may be starting to climb their way out of that hole they dug themselves in April.

--- Amy Moritz

Winkelsas on the disabled list

South Buffalo native Joe Winkelsas is indeed on the Charlotte Knights' roster but the 34-year old right handed pitcher is on the disabled list.

Winkelsas has made two appearances for the Knights this season with a 4.50 ERA, giving up two runs on three hits in four innings of work.

He spent most of last season with Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League and pitched in five games for Triple-A Richmond.

The Knights are in Dunn Tire Park for a four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons which begins in about an hour.

The Herd is hoping to start May fresh after one of the worst April records (10-17) in franchise history. Jeremy Sowers gets the the start for the Herd.

Josh Barfield -- 2B

Andy Gonzalez -- SS

Ben Francisco -- LF

Jordan Brown -- 1B

Aaron Herr -- 3B

Ryan Mulhern -- DH

Brad Snyder -- CF

Jason Tyner -- RF

Wyatt Toregas -- C

--- Amy Moritz

Sowers sent back to Herd

Left-hander Jeremy Sowers (0-2, 3.18) was optioned from Cleveland today and will start on Thursday when the Herd faces Charlotte on Thursday. Below is the Bisons lineup for tonight's game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre:

Josh Barfield, 2B
Danny Sandoval, SS
Ben Francisco, LF
Ryan Mulhern, 1B
Aaron Herr, DH
Jason Cooper, RF
Andy Gonzalez, 3B
Jason Tyner, CF
Wyatt Toregas, C
Adam Miller, P

---Rodney McKissic

Solid IL blogs to follow

If you want a great blog to follow the Bisons-Yankees series this week in Scranton, or you just want to keep an eye on the Yanks' top prospects, be sure to check out Chad Jennings' musings in the Scranton Times. Jennings and Jim Mandelaro in Rochester are veteran IL reporters who've added terrific blogs to their arsenals in recent seasons.

---Mike Harrington

Herd facing tough decison on parent

In Sunday's Inside Baseball column, I lay out the reasons for the Cleveland Indians' apparent decision to leave Buffalo for Columbus starting in the 2009 season. Nothing official will happen until September but it would be a major surprise if this move isn't what the Tribe is planning.

This is mostly about marketing, specifically television money. The Tribe wants to pump SportsTime Ohio and figures moving its Triple-A team to the state capital is a major way to do it.

What a shame for the 14-year affiliation to end. What a tough decision the Bisons face. There will be no shortage of big-league clubs calling Buffalo this fall but how many really interest Buffalo fans? Other than the Mets and Blue Jays, I don't think too many do.

I've listed my reservations about Toronto here in the past. What do you think the Bisons should do and how disappointed are you in the Tribe?

---Mike Harrington

Perfect Igawa relieved in Scranton

Good news for Yankees fans: Japanese import Kei Igawa, Brian Cashman's failed $46 million investment from last year, threw six perfect innings in Thursday night's season opener against Lehigh Valley before being relieved because of a pitch count. Igawa threw just 60 pitches in six innings but came out because he had not gone more than four innings in spring training.

Scott Patterson relieved Igawa and gave up a single to the first batter he faced, Lehigh Valley outfielder Brandon Watson, to end the perfecto and no-no. It was the IronPigs' only hit in Scranton's 4-1 victory. Pretty dubious debut game for the new Lehigh Valley franchise, which played its opener more like the pathetic 2007 Ottawa Lynx than the free agent-filled team that's supposed to be pretty competitive in the International League.

---Mike Harrington

Opening Day, minors style

While the Bisons are opening the season tonight in Norfolk, the season is also starting around the International League and the entire minor leagues. Minorleaguebaseball.com has an excellent Opening Day guide for things to watch around the minors (yes, it says Adam Miller is starting for the Bisons and we know it's Aaron Laffey but the rest of the info is top-notch).

Be sure to check out our video previews on the Bisons: Part I on the pitching aired today. We'll have another presentation available tomorrow.

By the way, the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals who debut tonight are the former Wichita Wranglers and are owned by Rich Baseball Operations. And the name of the team? Nope, it's not from the movie filmed in Buffalo. It's the state's nickname.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who replaced Ottawa in the IL, open tonight against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. But a major hurdle the first-year team is having is finding housing for the summer for its players. That's a big no-no and could hurt the Phillies in signing minor-league free agents in the future if it's not settled quickly. The first-year franchise should have been working all winter to make sure this didn't happen. Ooops.

Meanwhile, ex-Bison and Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon will start tonight for Pawtucket in its opener against Indianapolis and might be going to Boston soon. Scranton is preparing for its second year as a Yankees affiliate but it will be hard-pressed to replace the buzz it created in town for year one by setting attendance records and getting to the playoffs. The Rochester Red Wings are also in Virginia with the Bisons and they have the look of a contender. Syracuse will unveil a new grass field in Alliance Bank Stadium for its opener with Louisville.

---Mike Harrington

Coste keeps hitting, keeps writing

One of our all-time favorite ex-Bisons has to be catcher Chris Coste. The pride of Fargo, N.D., he came out of independent ball to become a star for the Herd and was the MVP of the 2002 team that lost to Durham in the Governors' Cup finals.

Despite the fact he was a .300 hitter in his sleep, the Indians never gave Coste a chance in the big leagues because they didn't think he was adequate enough behind the plate. Perhaps. But he's finally broken through in the big leagues the last couple years with the Phillies. And, of course, he's still hitting .300.

Coste wrote one book about his life in the minors  before he got to The Show. Now he's penned a second one called "The 33-Year-Old Rookie" that's scheduled to be out in March. Check out the Philly Inquirer's writeup here.

Gotta make it a point to catch up with him this season to get his take on the book and his memories of his years in Buffalo.

---Mike Harrington

R-Braves no more in '09

The Atlanta Braves are the only big-league team that actually owns their Triple-A franchise and they've apparently had enough of all the foot-dragging to get a new stadium built in Richmond. So they stunned folks in Virginia Tuesday by announcing the Richmond Braves, the defending International League champions, are moving to a new stadium in Gwinnett County (in the Atlanta suburbs) for the 2009 season.

The Diamond in Richmond, built in 1985, has fallen in disrepair and political squabbling has killed a new park there. Remember all the hassle in 2004 when drainage issues allowed the Bisons to play the entire Governors' Cup finals at home rather than go south? Thank you very much for the hand-over championship, Richmond.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has a special section on the situation.

And here's minorleaguebaseball.com's report.

The "Gwinnett County Braves" instantly become the southern-most team in the IL and will certainly add to the travel costs of every other team in the league. No way the Bisons, for instance, can bus home from the end of a road trip there anymore. Have to fly home. And that will be a lot more expensive.

---Mike Harrington

Chilling story on Coolbaugh tragedy

Must reading in this week's Sports Illustrated: The takeout on Mike Coolbaugh, the Tulsa Drillers coach who was killed by a line drive July 22 during a Double-A game in Little Rock, Ark.

It's posted on the Web here. It's loooooong. But it's worth a few minutes, or a half-hour, of your weekend.

The incident spooked players and coaches around baseball, both in the majors and the minors. And it really has people wondering when something tragic like this might happen to a fan not paying attention in the box seats.

---Mike Harrington

Weekend wrap

The Yankees won two of three over the weekend from the Red Sox but Boston accomplished its main goal -- avoiding a sweep that would have pulled New York within 2 1/2 games of the division lead. The Yanks are 4 1/2 back with 13 to play and none of them are against Boston. Not likely they'll catch the Sox.

But while those teams were having another terrific series, there were plenty of other things going on around the diamonds.

---My favorite moment was Jim Thome's 500th career home run Sunday, left, the first No. 500 that was a walkoff shot as it beat the Angels, 9-7. I've dealt with Thome dozens of times when he was with the Indians and during his memorable 1998 rehab stint with the Bisons during the Governors' Cup finals and I can say among nice guys in the game, there's Thome and Sean Casey and no one else is even close.

---Weekend winners: Yankees, Angels (magic number down to 6), Tigers (2 1/2 out of the wild card) Phillies (1 1/2 out of the wild card), Padres.

---Weekend losers: Mets (division title and NL homefield in doubt), Braves, Cardinals, fans holding tickets for Wednesday's Red Sox-Blue Jays game in Toronto (the Sox announced Dice-K won't start so they can align their postseason rotation with him as the No. 2 man).

---The most bizarre sight: The A's-Rangers brawl in the first inning Sunday when Nick Swisher, tired of getting hit three days in a row, charged Vicente Padilla (right). Swisher got the worst of it (MLB.com's video link is currently down -- I'll try to get you a look later). Think the frustration of two teams going nowhere had something to do with this? Nah.

---In Triple-A, Richmond meets Sacramento Tuesday night in the Bricktown Showdown at Oklahoma City for the overall championship. It's on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. The R-Braves won the title Saturday by sweeping a Games Four-Five doubleheader against Durham. Friday's game was rained out and the series had to be done by Saturday so the winner could get to Okie City. Nothing like rushing to finish the most important games of the whole season.

---Beginning today, look for our coverage of the key Indians-Tigers series from Jacobs Field.

---Mike Harrington

Minor titles on the line

The Durham Bulls and Sacramento River Cats are one win away from winning Triple-A championships and getting a chance to play in Tuesday's Bricktown Showdown in Oklahoma City for the Triple-A title.

Durham posted a bizarre 3-2 win at Richmond Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the International League finals. Richmond lost even though 26-year-old Cuban defector Francisley Bueno had a no-hitter through six innings, allowing just one baserunner on a fourth-inning walk, before he was pulled because he had thrown 99 pitches. Atlanta does not allow its prospect to go past 100.

Bueno left with a 2-0 lead but Durham scored three runs in the seventh to win the game, the last two on Michel Hernandez's two-out, two-run single. The Bulls go for their third title in six years tonight in Richmond.

Sacramento (Oakland) was off Thursday after Wednesday's 3-2 win at New Orleans (Mets) and has three chances to wrap up the series at home. The River Cats won Game Two on Brian Stavisky's RBI double in the ninth inning. Stavisky, the former Port Allegany star who played at Notre Dame, missed nearly four months of the season with hand fractures and batted just .238.

Here's the recap of Game Two. Check out Stavisky's comments on Sacramento veteran Lou Merloni, who played for the Bisons last season and was exactly the kind of veteran influence the Herd missed this year.

In the Eastern League, Cleveland's Double-A Akron affiliate returns home tonight in an 0-2 hole against Trenton (Yankees) and trying to stay alive in the best-of-five series. Jeremy Sowers will be the starter for Akron as he keeps working to stay in line for a possible Sept. 26 start for the Indians in Seattle.

---Mike Harrington

Griff coach makes prestigious list

Veteran Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott has published his list of the 70 most influential Canadians in baseball and you could guess some of the names: Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers, longtime outfielder Larry Walker (somehow, Elliott left out Pirates outfielder Jason Bay).

No. 49 on the list is Canisius College baseball coach Mike McRae, who was cited by Elliott for turning around the Griffs program much like he did at Niagara. Canisius had 11 Canadians playing on its roster last spring for McRae, who lives in Niagara Falls, Ont. Nice notice for the Canisius program, which hasn't had much for many years.

---Mike Harrington

(Mike McRae photo courtesy Canisius sports information)

Hall of Fame Day at Dunn Tire

The Buffalo Bisons game with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees will start a bit later than its scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch. That's because induction ceremonies for the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame will precede the game. Earning the honor this year is former player Bill Selby and former general manager Don Colpoys.

When the teams take to the field, Cliff Lee will get the start for the Herd.

Tonight's Buffalo lineup:

Joe Inglett -- 2B

Luis Rivas -- SS

Ben Francisco -- RF

Shin-Soo Choo -- LF

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Keith Ginter -- DH

Brian Barton -- CF

---Amy Moritz

Tough to compute IL standings

As you follow the Bisons' race for the International League wild card, you can't just keep your eyes on wins and losses. As it turns out, winning percentage is going to be the most important number in the IL standings.

That's because games not made up are going to have a huge factor on the race. Richmond will be playing just 141 of its 144 scheduled games and the Bisons just 142 of their 144 because two of the four games snowed out between the teams here in April were not played. The Braves lost another game recently against Toledo. Barring any further rain, Rochester will play its full 144-game slate.

So if the Braves finish 76-65 (.539), the Bisons could sneak past them at 77-65. That makes sense. But let's say the R-Braves slump and are passed by both Buffalo and Rochester. A Buffalo team finishing 76-66 (.535) would get the nod over a Rochester team that finished 77-67 (.534). Ugh.

I wish the minors would find a way to play their entire schedules. But it's hard to do when you have to get the season done so players can go up to the big leagues. And it means the Bisons need to make sure they play both games of Friday's doubleheader against Pawtucket. The forecast is supposed to get better as the day moves along. If it rains, they could potentially make up a game next week at Pawtucket, not a great option but a better one than losing the games entirely.

---Mike Harrington 

The I-90 battle continues

The battle between the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Red Wings continues tonight at Dunn Tire Park. The Herd enters the game 3 1/2 games back of Durham in the International League wild-card chase and 2 1/2 games back of Rochester.

Cliff Lee gets the start tonight for the Herd.

Tonight's lineup:

Brian Barton -- CF

Keith Ginter -- DH

Ben Francisco -- LF

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Jason Cooper -- RF

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Mike Rouse -- SS

Trent Durrington -- 2B

--- Amy Moritz

Choo returns to Herd

Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo returns to the Herd's lineup today after being activated off the disabled list. Choo missed more than two months with left elbow inflammation. Prior to his injury, he hit .270 (38-141) and drove in 20 runs in 41 games with Buffalo.

John Koronka (1-3) gets the start for Buffalo in tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Dunn Tire Park.

Tonight's lineup:

Joe Inglett -- 2B

Mike Rouse -- SS

Ben Francisco -- LF

Shin-Soo Choo -- DH

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Jason Cooper -- RF

Brian Barton -- CF

--- Amy Moritz

Saturday night with the Herd

The Buffalo Bisons added Mike Rouse to their roster for tonight's game against Ottawa at Dunn Tire Park. Rouse was designated by the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday after hitting .119 with four runs batted in in 41 games for the Tribe.

Cliff Lee is on the mound for the Herd.

Tonight's lineup:

Joe Inglett -- 2B

Mike Rouse -- SS

Ben Francisco -- LF

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Jason Cooper -- RF

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Brian Barton -- CF

Trent Durrington -- DH

-- Amy Moritz

Desperately seeking a win

The Buffalo Bisons hope to end a four-game losing streak when they take on the Ottawa Lynx at 7:35 tonight. The Herd is 0-2 in the four-game series with the Lynx, who incidentally own the worst record in the International League.

Outfielder Ben Francisco has hit in eight straight games and since Aug. 2 has hit .353 with three doubles and two runs batted in.

Right-hander Jeff Harris gets the start for Buffalo.

Tonight's Herd lineup:

Joe Inglett -- SS

Brian Barton -- RF

Ben Francisco -- LF

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Jason Cooper -- DH

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Jonathan Van Every -- CF

Trent Durrington -- 2B

- Amy Moritz

Hello, Goodbye Russell Branyan

It seems that Jeff Manto's Modern Day Bison record of 79 home runs will be safe for awhile.

Russell Branyan, who rejoined the Bisons on Wednesday three homers short of tying the record, was acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Cleveland Indians for cash.

Branyan was signed to a minor league contract by the Indians earlier this week and played one game for the Herd, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Here's Thursday afternoon's lineup for the Herd's game with Ottawa with Sean Smith starting on the mound:

Joe Inglett - SS

Brian Barton - CF

Ben Francisco - LF

Ryan Mulhern - 1B

Jason Cooper - RF

Andy Marte - 3B

Mike Rose - DH

Yamid Haad - C

Trent Durrington - 2B

- Amy Moritz

Looking to break the streak

The Buffalo Bisons are looking to end a winless streak against the Charlotte Knights tonight at Dunn Tire Park. The Herd is 0-6 against the Knights this season and 1-12 dating back to last season. Chicago White Sox outfielder Darin Erstad was scheduled to bat leadoff tonight for Charlotte as he continues his rehab assignment from an ankle injury but was scratched just before the first pitch.

Jeremy Sowers gets the start on the mound for Buffalo. Here's tonight's starting lineup:

Hector Luna - DH

Joe Inglett - 2B

Luis Rivas - SS

Ryan Mulhern - 1B

Jason Cooper - LF

Andy Marte - 3B

Mike Rose - C

Brad Snyder - RF

Jonathan Van Every - CF

- Amy Moritz

Markdown Monday

Monday's promotion at Dunn Tire Park is "Markdown Monday" but today fans get more bang for their buck as the Buffalo Bisons will play two against the Syracuse Chiefs. Sean Smith is scheduled to start the opener for the Herd. He currently leads the team in wins (eight), innings pitched (97.2) and strikeouts (61).

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Gustavo Chacin is making a rehab start for Syracuse. It's his first trip to the mound since April 28 as he's been on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

The Herd's lineup for Game 1:

Hector Luna - SS

Joe Inglett - LF

Luis Rivas - 2B

Ryan Mulhern - 1B

Jason Cooper - DH

Andy Marte - 3B

Mike Rose - C

Brad Snyder - RF

Jonathan Van Every - CF

- Amy Moritz

A boon for Yankees, a blow to Scranton

Shelley Duncan was called up to the Yankees Thursday from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan hit his first big-league home run Saturday afternoon against the Devil Rays. Here's the video of the Yankees' five-run sixth, capped by Duncan's shot to left.

Duncan's callup is a blow to Scranton, which is 9-1 in its last 10 games and entered Saturday 2 1/2 games ahead of the Bisons in the International League North. Duncan was second in the IL to Toledo's Mike Hessman in both home runs (25) and RBIs (79), having already broken Scranton's franchise record for homers.

The Bisons, meanwhile, are still planning to play a double-header tonight against Syracuse but the start of game one was pushed back to 6:05 because a water pipe exploded behind the mound overnight and workers arrived in the morning to find a flooded infield. Oops. They've spent all day trying to dry the field.

Here's Buffalo's lineup for game one:

• Hector Luna, ss
• Jason Cooper, lf
• Luis Rivas, 2b
• Ryan Mulhern, 1b
• Keith Ginter, dh
• Andy Marte, 3b
• Mike Rose, c
• Brad Snyder, rf
• Jonathan Van Every, cf
• Aaron Laffey, p

---Mike Harrington

Around the horn

When you go to the All-Star Game, you don't get your midseason break when everyone else does. So after a few days of R&R -- badly needed after enduring the winds of AT&T Park -- I've got a few points stored up:

---Let's start with our pal Barry. Hey, thanks for staging your circus of a press conference in Frisco and getting me on the cover of USA Today in the midst of your media scrum. Now about that home run chase? Are you going to put us all out of our misery sometime this season? Barry's monthly averages: April -- .356-8-17; May -- .194-4-8; June -- .364-4-13; July -- .107-1-4.

He's 0 for his last 21 and homerless since July 3. Still stuck on 751, at least Barry has saved Bud Selig the indignity of having the record broken this weekend in his beloved Milwaukee home. Those Cubs fans have sure gotten their money's worth from him so far, seeing one at-bat in three days. Giants manager Bruce Bochy says Bonds is playing in Thursday's series finale but is no longer playing at all in day games after night games. That almost assures it's going to take No. 25 into August to get the five more home runs he needs to eclipse Hank Aaron. Yawn.

---I've enjoyed the free preview of MLB Extra Innings that cable companies nationwide like Time Warner have been giving this week. Would have been even better to see the Indians-White Sox games, including Tuesday's dramatic, extra-inning thriller that Ryan Garko tied in the ninth with a two-run pinch homer and won in the 11th with an RBI single. Anyone taken my advice from San Francisco and written ol' Bud with a piece of your mind on the Tribe's ridiculous blackout of the home of its Triple-A team? I'm heading to the Jake for next week's games against the Red Sox and maybe I can get someone high up on Chief Wahoo's food chain to finally give me a real answer on this topic.

---ESPN has gotten so full of itself that every single reporter in San Francisco had a good bellylaugh about the fact the network got its "Baseball Tonight" set banished for breaking the TBS embargo on All-Star selections. Speaking of the self-proclaimed worldwide leader, am I the only one sick of SportsCenter's "Who's Now" garbage?

---Bfloblog gave this corner some props Wednesday and we return the favor to our friends in the blogosphere who are a must-read every day. Sure, Kevin & Co. have some quibbles with the mothership at One News Plaza but that's no prob in these eyes. Opinions always keep everyone's passion flowing.

---The Bisons return home for the first time in 12 days when they play Syracuse Friday at 7:35 in the opener of a nine-game homestand (there's a makeup doubleheader Saturday at 5:05). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is hot, going 7-1 in its last eight games, to knock the Bisons out of first place in the IL North for the first time since May 5. Buffalo suffered its season-high fifth straight loss with Wednesday's 12-inning heartbreaker at Charlotte and the Herd is suddenly 1 1/2 games out.

---Mike Harrington

Bisons set to open homestand

It's Game Three of the four-game series between the Bisons and Rochester Red Wings tonight in Dunn Tire Park. The Bisons won both games over the weekend in Frontier Field and are gunning for their first five-game winning streak since April 28-May 2.

Buffalo is opening a six-game homestand heading into the all-star break. Tuesday is the annual Independence Eve postgame concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. After an off day Wednesday, Buffalo hosts the Durham Bulls in a four-game set beginning Thursday night. The Herd enters tonight's contest with a three-game lead over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and a four-game edge over Rochester in the International League North.

The Bisons went 4-1 on their road trip to Rochester and Scranton and a big reason was the work of the bullpen, which put together 15 2/3 scoreless innings. The pen, in fact, has allowed just one earned run over 38 1/3 innings the last 12 games. Currently holding scoreless outing streaks are relievers Matt Miller (12 games), Juan Lara (9), Mike Koplove (5) and Jensen Lewis (5).

Jeff Harris (4-5) is the starting pitcher for the Herd tonight. Adam Miller is then scheduled to come in to make his third relief outing since coming off the disabled list, throwing three innings or about 50 pitches. Here is the Buffalo lineup:

Hector Luna, ss

Luis Rivas, 2b

Joe Inglett, lf

Ryan Mulhern, 1b

Keith Ginter, dh

Andy Marte, 3b

Mike Rose, c

Brad Snyder, rf

Jonathan Van Every, cf

---Mike Harrington

Bisons named All-Stars

Buffalo Bison infielders Ryan Mulhern and Luis Rivas were named to the International League All-Star team today. The two will represent the IL as reserves in the 20th annual Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11 in Albuquerque, N.M.

They will join Herd manager Torey Lovullo, who was previously selected to be an All-Star coach.

Mulhern, in his first season at Triple-A, leads all active Bisons in batting (.306), home runs (11) and runs batted in (42).

Rivas is batting .263 with 33 RBIs and is tied for the lead in stolen bases with 10.

-- Amy Moritz

Sunday afternoon at the ballpark

The Buffalo Bisons are winding down their homestand with today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Norfolk Tides, the third of a four-game series. Righty Bubbie Buzachero is making his third spot start of the season for the Herd. The Bisons have led the North Division for 51 straight days but enter today with their lead at just a half-game over Rochester, which has won seven straight.

Today's starting lineup for the Herd:

Trent Durrington -- DH

Luis Rivas -- SS

Joe Inglett -- 2B

Ryan Mulhern -- 1B

Jason Cooper -- LF

Andy Marte -- 3B

Yamid Haad -- C

Brad Snyder -- RF

Jonathan Van Every -- CF

- Amy Moritz

Game 2 vs. Norfolk

The Buffalo Bisons and Norfolk Tides square off again tonight in Dunn Tire Park after the Tides eked out a 3-2 win with a ninth-inning run in Friday's series opener. The Bisons continue to get huge production from No. 9 hitter Jonathan Van Every, who has reached base in all 12 games he's played since his promotion from Double-A Akron while batting .387. Van Every also has a glossy .839 slugging percentage and a .525 on-base percentage.

Here's the Herd's lineup tonight:

Trent Durrington, 2b

Luis Rivas, ss

Joe Inglett, lf

Ryan Mulhern, 1b

Keith Ginter, 3b

Andy Marte, dh

Mike Rose, c

Brad Snyder, rf

Jonathan Van Every, cf

Sean Smith, p

----Mike Harrington

Golden mention for Lovullo

Joe Girardi turned down the Baltimore Orioles Thursday and the usual list of recycled names such as Don Baylor, Dusty Baker and even former O's manager Davey Johnson are being floated as Sam Perlozzo's replacement. ESPN's Peter Gammons threw out a different name Thursday night -- Buffalo Bisons skipper Torey Lovullo.

Gammons has pointed his attention at Buffalo before. He routinely plugged Eric Wedge's big-league candidacy during the 2001 and 2002 seasons and had an excellent relationship with Wedge from the ex-Herd skipper's days as a backup catcher with the Boston Red Sox. Gammons and Lovullo have only met in passing over the years but Gammons said he liked Lovullo's energy and background as a player and coach at all levels of the minors.

Lovullo, who interviewed two years ago with the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a good laugh when asked about the Orioles Friday. He said no one has contacted him but he was flattered to get a mention -- especially because he was watching the "Baseball Tonight" telecast with his 13-year-old son, Nick.

"It was one of those proud dad moments and that made me the most happiest," Lovullo said. "He sat there with me watching it, got up and said, 'Oh my God, no way.' For him to see his father's name on a national show made me feel proud. That was the most exciting thing for me to be sitting there with my son. That was a golden moment. I'll never forget it."

The Bisons are opening a four-game series tonight in Dunn Tire Park against the Norfolk Tides and outfielder Jason Dubois, Buffalo's co-MVP last year, is batting fifth for the Tides (he's hitting just .216 with seven homers and 23 RBIs). Nofolk is in its first year as a Baltimore affiliate after 37 years with the New York Mets.

Here's Lovullo's starting lineup for tonight's game:

Trent Durrington, 2b

Luis Rivas, ss

Joe Inglett, lf

Ryan Mulhern, 1b

Keith Ginter, dh

Andy Marte, 3b

Mike Rose, c

Jason Cooper, rf

Jonathan Van Every, cf

Jeff Harris, p

---Mike Harrington

Series finale vs. Louisville

Less than 14 hours after wrapping up Wednesday night's twinbill sweep, the Buffalo Bisons and Louisville Bats are wrapping up their four-game series today in Dunn Tire Park.  Former Baltimore Oriole Eric Dubose, activated June 9 after being signed as a free agent, makes his home debut on the mound for the Herd today. He went 1-0, 3.60 in two starts on the team's recent road trip.

Here's Buffalo's starting lineup:

Trent Durrington, 2b

Luis Rivas, ss

Joe Inglett, lf

Ryan Mulhern, 1b

Keith Ginter, 3b

Andy Marte, dh

Mike Rose c

Brad Snyder, rf

Jonathan Van Every, cf

Shortstop Hector Luna, who was hit in the face with a pitch in Wednesday's nightcap, is not in the lineup and there is no word yet as to his status (the Bisons just announced he went for X-rays on his nose and cheekbone this morning). Durrington is batting leadoff for just the second time this season as the Herd searches for some offense at the top of the order in the wake of the callups to Cleveland of Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez.

Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Birrer, 78, threw a ceremonial first pitch. The Kensington High grad pitched parts of nine years with the Bisons in the 1950s and 1960s and made 56 big-league appearances, mostly in relief, for the Dodgers, Tigers and Orioles

---Mike Harrington

Double-header Day

It's so nice, let's play two.

After rain and wet grounds postponed Tuesday night's game between the Buffalo Bisons and Louisville Bats, the teams are set for two seven-inning games beginning at 5:35 at Dunn Tire Park.

Aaron Laffey, winner of three straight games, is scheduled to start in the first game with Jeremy Sowers pitching in the second game.

The Herd lineup for the first game:

Hector Luna -- 1B

Luis Rivas -- SS

Joe Inglett -- 2B

Ryan Mulhern -- DH

Jason Cooper -- LF

Andy Marte -- 3B

Mike Rose -- C

Brad Snyder -- RF

Jonathan Van Every -- CF

-- Amy Moritz

Dunn Tire's greatest mound feat

Ten years ago today -- June 20, 1997 -- fireballer Bartolo Colon put together the greatest pitching performance in Dunn Tire Park history as he tossed a no-hitter against the New Orleans Zephyrs. I've seen hundreds of games at the ballpark since it opened in 1988 and there has never been a more dominant performance on the mound than this one, which still stands as the only no-hitter downtown.

It was a festive Friday night long before it became an unforgettable one. There were more than 15,000 fans on hand, a crowd that pushed the ballpark's total attendance past the 10 million mark. What they saw was remarkable. Colon retired the first New Orleans batter and walked the second, third baseman Russ Johnson. He was erased trying to steal second base -- and the final 25 Zephyr hitters were then set down as only three balls left the infield!

The excitement started to build in the seventh inning and Colon became basically untouchable at the end of the game, fanning five of the final nine hitters (he had eight Ks in the game). The ballpark radar gun was showing 99 mph on many pitches but it didn't go any higher and there were many scouts who said the real numbers were 102 or 103.

The fans were on their feet roaring for the entire ninth inning. Colon struck out the first two batters before light-hitting Brian Grebeck came up. Here's a photo taken by retired News photographer Ron Moscati of the last pitch, which Grebeck lofted to short right field (the catcher is Einar Diaz, the center fielder is Les Norman). There was an audible gasp as it appeared the ball would fall in front of outfielder Alex Ramirez but second baseman Enrique Wilson streaked out on to the grass and caught up to it for the final out.

First baseman Richie Sexson was the first one to race to the mound and hug Colon and was quickly joined by the entire team, celebrating the Herd's first no-hitter since Dick Marlowe's perfect game against Baltimore in 1952. Current Buffalo manager Torey Lovullo, who played third base that night and was 0 for 3, was also with Colon for his magic moment and the night was capped by a champagne toast to the Buffalo ace in the clubhouse.

The Bisons are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ballpark all season with Wednesday night poster giveaways and slugger Jeff Manto is the subject for tonight's 5:35 doubleheader against Louisville. Colon's poster was handed out June 6. Just wondering: Why wasn't that one done tonight?

---Mike Harrington