Bisons fall from ninth inning rally
- Brayden Peters
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By: Brayden Peters / Sports Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Bisons looked to increase their winning streak to a season-high four games yesterday against the Charlotte Knights. However, Buffalo was beaten 5-3 after Charlotte snapped a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning to win the game. Knights second baseman Brooks Baldwin singled with two outs to allow third baseman Bryan Ramos to score. Ramos singled to get on base.
Baldwin proceeded to score after he was driven in on a single from shortstop Jacob Amaya, giving Charlotte a 5-3 lead. Amaya replaced Colson Montgomery in the third inning after Montgomery took a pitch to his left kneecap that kept him out of the game. Although the Bisons got runners into scoring position after third baseman Ryan McCarty and shortstop Josh Rivera walked, center fielder Joey Loperfido grounded out into a game sealing double play.
"The starting pitcher (Owen White), we had his number in the first inning, but he kind of settled in a little bit," Bisons designated hitter Davis Schneider said. "I felt the guys did well, put together good at bats and that's all you can really ask for. We fought hard in the end, just couldn't come through."
Buffalo drew seven walks in the contest and totaled four hits across the first three innings. However, the Bisons would pick up two hits the rest of the way and ended up being outhit seven-to-six by Charlotte.
Adam Kloffenstein got the start on the mound for Buffalo. He allowed three hits, three earned runs and four walks while striking out four in five innings.
Kloffenstein bounced back after giving up two dingers in the second inning across three pitches. He struck out three and threw three consecutive scoreless innings.
"Really good job by him," Bisons bench coach Cesar Martin said, who filled in for manager Casey Candaele as he was the first base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. "Obviously had one tough inning in the second inning and allowed two home runs. But after that. he stayed competing and was given the chance to stay through the fifth inning, so that's really good."
Relievers Trenton Wallace and Tommy Nance both struck out two in the contest. Nance was given the loss for the game, dropping his record to 0-3.
Loperfido was the only batter to get extra bases on a hit, recording a double in the game. Loperfido also scored twice and walked once. He leads the team with 48 hits, 30 runs, 28 RBI and eight stolen bases.
"He's gotten so much better and credit to him, he's been putting in the work with the hitting coach (Ryan Long) as well," Martin said. "They put in a really good plan, he's following it and is putting the plan in the game."
The Bisons drew first blood in the first inning. Schneider singled to drive in second baseman Leo Jimenez. Jimenez hit a single to get on base.
Buffalo would extend its lead after a balk against White. The balk allowed Loperfido to score, who was hit by a pitch to get on base. White finished the day allowing six hits, three earned runs and four walks while striking out three in 5.2 innings.
Charlotte would respond in the second inning. Single shots across three pitches from first baseman Tim Elko and catcher Kyle Teel, the Chicago White Sox's second ranked prospect, tied the game up at two apiece. Knights right fielder Dominic Fletcher would drive in center fielder Dru Baker on a single to help Charlotte take the lead. Baker walked to get on base.
Buffalo would tie the game up in the third inning. Bisons first baseman Damiano Palmegiani hit a sac-fly out to left field that drove in Loperfido. Loperfido doubled to get on base.
After five scoreless innings, Charlotte would break the 3-3 tie and take the lead thanks to Baldwin and Amaya to win the game.
The Bisons dropped to 21-32 and remain in eighth in the IL. As for the Knights, they improved to 26-29 and remain in fifth in the IL.
Buffalo will host Charlotte tomorrow and the first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Anders Tolhurst (1-1, 7.83) will get the start on the mound for the Bisons, while Yoendrys Gomez (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Knights.