Indians call up Francisco

The Buffalo Bisons today announced that OF Ben Francisco, INF Luis Rivas, LHP Cliff Lee and RHP Mike Koplove have been recalled to Cleveland as Major League rosters were expanded today. The Bisons also announced that INF Trent Durrington has also been activated off the disabled list.

Cleveland announced that Bisons' LHP John Koronka has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. On Friday, Cleveland recalled injured Buffalo OF Brad Snyder and placed him on the 15-day disabled list.

Durrington has been on the DL since August 23. He has hit .222 with 19 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 69 games this season. Before being placed on the disabled list, Durrington reached base safely in 13 of 14 games from August 3-19. He averaged .300 (12-40) with six walks during that stretch.

Ben Francisco hit .318 (120-377) with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 95 games with the Herd. He was named an International League post season All-Star last week and leaves the Bisons with the top average in the IL. If his average holds as the highest, it would be the Bisons first batting champion since Mark Ryal hit .334 in 1990 in the American Association.

Rivas, a mid-season All-Star, hit .263 with 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 105 games. He was named the Bisons Comeback Player of the Year last week.

Cliff Lee was 1-3 with a 3.51 ERA in eight starts with the Bisons. Koplove was 4-2 with a 2.50 ERA with the Herd. He led the team with 51 games pitched and 14 saves.