The Buffalo Bisons final stretch began on a losing note.
Lehigh Valley 3 Buffalo 0 (6 1/2 Innings)
Mickey Moniak homered with two outs in the first inning to give the Phillies affiliate the lead for good off opener Anthony Kay. Unlike Ross Stripling, Joey Lawrence pitched five innings in a bulk role and gave up two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. He recorded six of his nine outs in play on the ground. Travis Bergen walked one and whiffed two in a shutout seventh.
The Herd were limited to five singles in the game. Forrest Wall had a knock and threw out a runner at second base from left field. Tyler White, Otto Lopez, Cullen Large and Richard Ureņa had the other safeties. White singled in the second, moved up to second on a wild pitch but was caught stealing at third to end the inning. Large and Ureņa opened the third with base hits but a Juan Graterol double play helped kill that rally. Santiago Espinal was 0-for-3 and grounded out into a double play in the first inning. Cavan Biggio was 0-for-2.
*** 3 Stars!!! ***
3. Casey Lawrence, Buffalo
2. Forrest Wall, Buffalo
1. Rookie, Buffalo
Extra Innings
The Buffalo News has a preview of the Final Stretch.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20210923135331896