Bisons comeback falls one run short against Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Buffalo Bisons used strong pitching from Alek Manoah and late game offense but came up a run short in their 4-3 11 inning loss to the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday night.

Both starting pitchers dominated over their six innings of work. Manoah struck out 12 over his six innings of work, including back-to-back innings where he struck out the side after a lead-off walk between the fourth and fifth innings. A Nick Gonzalez solo home run in the bottom of the sixth was the only run Manoah allowed, he left with a 1-0 deficit.

Paul Skenes pitched in his longest outing of the season for the Indians. Last year’s number one overall draft pick recorded seven strikeouts over six shutout frames. He scattered four hits and allowed just one walk in a no decision.

Buffalo’s offense went to work against Carmen Mlodzinski in the top of the ninth inning when Nathan Lukes led off the inning with a double. It was Lukes’ fourth hit of the game and was followed by an Orelvis Martinez single. Damiano Palmegiani tied the game with his fourth home run of the season. His three-run shot made the score 3-3.

Neither team was able to score in the 10th inning, sending the game to the 11th still tied at three. Paxton Schultz was into his third inning of relief work, allowing a Yasmani Grandal RBI single to left field that allowed Indianapolis to walk-off with the victory 4-3.

It was the first walk-off loss of the season for the Bisons and their second extra innings loss of the year as well. The two teams will meet for an 11:05 a.m. first pitch on Wednesday morning. Paolo Espino is scheduled to start for the Bisons.