One Out of Four, Move On

Wrap, Box, Bisons

Wrap, Box, Buffalo News

Wrap, Box, Buffalo News

Season: 48-30; Trip: 1-3
Wrap, Box, Bisons

The Bulls outhit the Bisons in every game, 37-26 overall, and actually outscored them over the series 12 runs to 11, but lost 3 out of 4 games. How did that happen? Mostly, they just couldn’t get their runners across. Nevertheless, none of these games were blowouts and mostly we what we saw was some weakness in the bullpen. No real surprise there.

How is Charlie handling his outfield puzzle (remember, he’s only got two outfielders on the roster)? Of the regulars (that would be Jason Bourgeois and Brandon Guyer), Bourgeois played in 3 of 4 games and pinch ran late in the fourth game; Guyer also started in 3 of 4 games and pinch ran in a fourth. Playing the third outfielder? That was Leslie Anderson (2 starts) and Cole Figueroa (2 starts).

In a larger sense, it’s hard to complain about the pitching except for the bullpen’s blowup in the second game of the series. Might as well make my token complaint about having to go with yet another "bullpen day" (using a crew of relievers when no starter available) in this series. The Bulls had two of those in June and lost both.

Mike Montgomery went seven innings and did well. That will certainly help folks recover from the previous night’s marathon.

Have to note that the Bison’s Ricky Romero can’t seem to get the ball across the plate against the Bulls. He had 5 BBs in 3 ⅓ innings last night. And back on May 27 in Durham he gave up 3 BBs in the ⅔ inning that he pitched.

Jason Bourgeois had a terrific night with two hits, two RBI and a stolen base, his 19th. Brandon Guyer led off and did his job by getting on base 3 out of 5 times, scoring every time, and picking up an RBI. His batting average is up to .283 now and, even better, his advanced stats are up there just behind Vince Belnome’s and Leslie Anderson’s. The Bulls need that.

Outside the game —

• Pitcher Steve Geltz is from the Buffalo area and got a nice story about him while the Bulls were there.
• Former Bull Reid Brignac was designated for assignment by the Yankees. He has cleared waivers, but no word if he has been picked up by another team. May end up as a free agent.
• Couple of interesting photos from the most recent Bark in the Park event.