Bisons shut out Worcester for third time, 5-0 on Sunday 

BUFFALO, NY - Paolo Espino worked six shutout innings on the mound and the Buffalo Bisons offense pounded out a pair of home runs in their 5-0 victory over the Worcester Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Sahlen Field.

Espino used several double play ground balls to erase early opportunities for the WooSox, keeping the visitors from scoring first the only time in the seven-game series. The 37-year-old righty scattered four hits, walked two and struck out a pair as well.

Buffalo’s offense was ignited in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a Brian Serven RBI base hit that scored Leo Jimenez. Serven finished the day with two hits, while Jimenez made several defensive plays to save runs in the field for the Bisons. The first run of the game allowed Buffalo to open up a 1-0 lead.

Damiano Palmegiani would extend the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. His seventh homer of the season came off of Sal Romano in relief. It was the first base runner against the right hander after he recorded five straight outs.

The Bisons added even more insurance one inning later thanks to two runners getting on base in front of Orelvis Martinez. The Blue Jays second-ranked prospect belted his 10th home run of the season, a three run shot, in the bottom of the seventh for a 5-0 advantage. The homer scored Steward Berroa and Jimenez. Berroa also stole his team best 20th base of the season in the victory.

Four different relievers combined to preserve the shutout bid, working the final three innings. Connor Cooke and Mason Fluharty combined to pitch a scoreless seventh, while Luis Quiñones and Paxton Schultz worked to secure the final six outs of the game.

Buffalo won five out of seven games against Worcester, shutting out the Red Sox for the third time this season.