Buffalo Pre-Game Notes

Buffalo Bisons (60-79, 5th(-18.0), North) vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (77-64, 2nd(-2.0), North)

Saturday, September 3, 2011 (6:35 p.m.) - Coca-Cola Park

RHP Chris Schwinden (8-7, 3.95) vs. RHP Brian Bass (7-10, 4.01)

Radio: WWKB AM 1520, http://www.bisons.com/

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons face the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the second game of a two-game series at Coca-Cola Park (6:35 p.m.). The Herd began its season-ending roadtrip last night with a 3-1 loss to the IronPigs. Buffalo has now lost three straight after winning three consecutive games, August 27-29.

VS. THE IRONPIGS: The Bisons are 7-8 against the IronPigs this season. A win tonight would give the Herd an even split of the season series with Lehigh Valley. RHP CHRIS SCHWINDEN is 0-1 with a 2.92ERA in two previous starts against the IronPigs this year (12.1IP, 11K).

SCHWING AND MISS: RHP CHRIS SCHWINDEN will make his team-high 26th start of the season tonight. The Triple-A rookie was named the Bisons Most Valuable Pitcher on Thursday. Schwinden leads the Bisons with a 3.95ERA and 129 strikeouts and is tied with LHP Pat Misch for the team-high with eight wins. Schwinden’s 129 strikeouts are the 4th most in a single season by a Bisons pitcher in the modern era.

SPIN CONTROL: INF JORDANY VALDESPIN brings an 11-game hit streak into tonight’s game. The infielder has averaged .386 (17-44) since the streak began on August 22. Valdespin has also collected five doubles, a home run and four RBI during the streak.

HIT KING: OF JESUS FELICIANO is seven hits away from Bisons modern era record for career hits. With 371 hits, Feliciano trails only Billy Selby (378). Feliciano has posted a .306 average in his three years in Buffalo, the 4th highest average in the past 24 seasons. He led the International League with 154 hits during the 2009 season.

HONOR GOES TO: The Bisons announced their 2011 player awards on Thursday with INF VALENTINO PASCUCCI named the team’s MVP. Pascucci leads the Herd with 21 home runs and 91RBI. RHP CHRIS SCHWINDEN was named Most Valuable Pitcher while LHP JUSTIN HAMPSON took home both the Comeback Player of the Year and the team’s Community Service Award.