Inside Pitch

Pellegrini gets first professional home run

Injuries plagued the start of St. Bonaventure standout Brian Pellegrini's professional career in 2007.

But in his debut for the Lexington Legends on Thursday night, Pellegrini showed what made him an All-American at Bona. The left fielder went 2 for 4 with a three-run home run for the Legends in a 7-6 loss to Hagerstown.

In three games, for the Legends, Pellegrini is hitting .417 (5 of 12) with two homers and seven runs batted in.

Lexington is an affiliate of the Houston Astros in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Pellegrini was selected by Houston in the 12th round of the 2007 draft but played just six games last year for the Tri-City Valley Cats of the New York-Penn League due to injury.

He is the 13th Bona player to play in the pro ranks since 1991.

To follow Pellegrini, check out the Lexington Legends website. The Legends are scheduled to face rehabbing Cleveland right-hander Jake Westbrook when they play Lake County today.

--- Amy Moritz

Bisons look to poke Pigs

After splitting a four-game series with Pawtucket, the Bisons open a four-gamer against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs here in Dunn Tire Park. It's the first visit to Buffalo by the IronPigs, the former Ottawa Lynx. On a cold, windy night -- with a full house down the street watching the Bandits' championship game -- there doesn't figure to be more than a few hundred brave souls on hand for this one. Jeff Harris (1-1) makes a spot start for Buffalo.

Just in from Cincinnati: The Indians lost, 4-2,  on on Adam Dunn's three-run walkoff blast in the bottom of the ninth off Masa Kobayashi. It came after Dunn failed on two attempts to sacrifice (what in the world was Dusty Baker doing calling for that?). Dunn's shot also ruined a big day by Ben Francisco, who went 3 for 4 to push his average to .375 and belted his first homer of the season off ex-Bison David Weathers to give the Tribe a 2-1 lead in the eighth.

Looks like Joe Borowski can't come back soon enough for the Tribe.

Anyway, here's the Bisons' lineup for tonight:

Josh Barfield, 2b

Danny Sandoval,  ss

Shin-Soo Choo, lf

Aaron Herr,  3b

Jason Cooper, rf

Andy Gonzalez, 1b

Brad Snyder,  cf

Ryan Mulhern, dh

Wyatt Toregas,  c

---Mike Harrington

Branyan goes deep thrice

From the Whatever Happened To Him Department: Longtime Herd slugger Russell Branyan belted three home runs Friday night to lead Nashville to a 10-8 victory over New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League. He's hitting .374 with 11 home runs for the Sounds, who are Milwaukee's top affiliate. Branyan, of course, had a couple of decent seasons with the Brewers and signed with them again over the winter.

Here's the Nashville Tennessean's report on the game.

Here's minorleaguebaseball.com's report.

---Mike Harrington

Boomer's big anniversary

Ten years ago today -- May 17, 1998 -- David Wells threw the first regular-season perfect game in Yankee Stadium history against the Minnesota Twins. It was a seminal moment that really set the tone for the Yanks' 114-win season. The YES Network's Web site has a neat video retrospective here and the game is scheduled to be replayed on YES tonight at 9:30.

---Mike Harrington

Herd needs to corral IronPigs

The Bisons looked good in all areas in Friday's 4-2 win over Pawtucket. There was good starting pitching by Matt Ginter (a season-high 6 2/3 innings), solid situational hitting and stellar relief from Rich Rundles and iron closer Rick Bauer.

It was a much better performance than Thursday's double loss to the Pawsox, which saw the Herd come within one inning of getting shut out in both ends of a twinbill for the first time in Dunn Tire Park history.

"I was happy to see that because [Thursday] was tough to watch, tough to stomach,'' said manager Torey Lovullo. "We were a baseball team today. We executed, did what we had to to win a game.''

The Bisons open a four-game series Saturday night with Lehigh Valley, which is 6-2 in its last eight and nowhere near as hapless as it was in starting the season 5-30. But the Bisons need to stick a fork in the IronPigs this weekend to start getting back in the North Division race.

At 19-23, Buffalo is already 9 1/2 games behind Scranton after the Yankees split a twinbill at Louisville. Scranton is 29-14 and I'm betting will come back to the pack a little because moves will keep being made in New York.  But Syracuse (25-17) and Pawtucket (25-18) are also having strong years and the Bisons have to start making up ground.

Improving in the division and at home would be good places to start. Buffalo is just 11-15 vs. North foes and only 10-10 downtown. The IronPigs, meanwhile, hit town just 1-18 in the North and 3-20 on the road. This would be a good time for the Bisons to establish some advantage in their home park.

---Mike Harrington

Bisons look to bounce back

The Bisons will look to rally from Thursday's disastrous doubleheader when they meet the Pawtucket Red Sox in tonight's series finale in Dunn Tire Park. The Bisons' seventh-inning run in the nightcap Thursday allowed them to avert a double shutout loss at home for the first time in franchise history.

Buffalo was last blanked in a twinbill in a pair of 1-0 losses at Pawtucket on April 10, 2004. The Herd will look to get some offense tonight in support of Matt Ginter

Here's tonight's starting lineup:

Josh Barfield, 2b

Danny Sandoval, ss

Shin-Soo Choo, dh

Ryan Mulhern, 1b

Jason Cooper, lf

Andy Gonzalez, 3b

Brad Snyder, cf

Bronson Sardinha, rf

Wyatt Toregas, c

---Mike Harrington

Dunn Tire no-hit trivia

The combined one-hitter thrown Thursday by Pawtucket's Bartolo Colon and Chris Smith was just the third by Bisons opponents in Dunn Tire Park's 21-year history. The Bisons, meanwhile, have thrown nine one-hitters downtown. There has only been one no-hitter, Colon's gem against New Orleans in 1997.

And a no-hitter has gone into the last inning of a game just two other times: Kyle Denney against Ottawa in 2004 and reliever Martin Vargas against Syracuse in 2001. Both gave up hits and Denney, in fact, gave up a 1-0 lead before Scott Stewart relieved to finish the 10-inning one-hitter.

No opponent has ever carried a no-hitter into the final inning against the Bisons in the ballpark's 21 seasons.

Here's the list of one-hitters:

Bisons one-hitters at DTP

Jeremy Guthrie vs. Louisville, July 26, 2006

Jeremy Sowers vs. Pawtucket, May 19, 2006—1st game

Kyle Denney & Scott Stewart vs. Ottawa, Aug. 14, 2004

Jason Beverlin vs. Rochester April 23, 2002--1st game

Jason Phillips, Dario Veras, Scott Radinsky, Martin Vargas vs. Syracuse, Aug. 3, 2001

Kevin Blankenship vs. Oklahoma City, Aug. 1, 1991

Roger Mason and Rosario Rodriguez vs. Pawutcket, May 30, 1991

Morris Madden vs. Rochester, May 24, 1989-2nd game

Randy Kramer vs. Richmond, June 16, 1988

Opponents one-hitters at DTP

Bartolo Colon and Chris Smith, Pawtucket, May 15, 2008-1st game

Chris Elmore-Wayne Gomes-Tim Young-Todd Erdos-Derek Hasselhoff, Pawtucket, Aug. 15, 2002-2nd game

Rafael Medina, Charlotte, July 26, 1998

---Mike Harrington

New York, New York

The Mets and Yankees kick off another Subway Series tonight in the Bronx and there is plenty of unhappiness in both camps to provide plenty of fodder for all the New York haters out there.

My good friend and St. Bonaventure grad Mike Vaccaro has a pretty hilarious take on the state of Big Apple baseball in today's New York Post -- complete with a dateline of Hell, NY. The Post's banner headline today: "TRAIN WRECK". Priceless.

The Yankees, frankly, just plain stink. They're in last place in the AL East while the Rays -- yes, I said the Rays -- are in first in this bizarro world known as the 2008 season. And just imagine how loud Hank Steinbrenner might get in Brian Cashman's office tonight if Johan Santana sticks it to the Yankees!

The Mets, meanwhile, need a little can't-we-all-get-along work. The players are sick of the fans. The fans are booing the players because the stench of September '07 has never left decrepit Shea Stadium. And they're letting Willie Randolph hear it too, pushing him closer to unemployment. And now the players are turning on each other, with Billy Wagner calling out his teammates yesterday for being no-shows when the media entered the clubhouse after the team's third loss to the Nationals in four games.

Not a great move for clubhouse diplomacy. But at least Wagner will score points with the beat writers.

One other thing: It's supposed to rain all three days in New York. Love it.

---Mike Harrington

More Colon

Bartolo Colon's one-hit gem today against the Buffalo Bisons will be replayed at 7:30 p.m., tonight on Time Warner's SportsNet on Ch. 13.  Here's the lineup for Game 2:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Danny Sandoval, ss
Bronson Sardinha, rf
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, lf
Andy Gonzalez, 1b
Brad Snyder, cf
Ryan Mulhern, dh
Yamid Haad, c
Jason Stanford, p

---Rodney McKissic

Double dip

Today is the Bisons' third doubleheader of the season. The Herd lost a pair in Norfolk on April 6, the fourth day of the season. This afternoon's starters Adam Miller and Jason Stanford, combined to take two from Charlotte on May 4. Here is the starting lineup for Game 1:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Shin-Soo Choo, rf
Michael Aubrey, 1b
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, lf
Bronson Sardinha, dh
Brad Snyder, cf
Danny Sandoval, ss
Wyatt Toregas, c
Adam Miller, p

---Rodney McKissic

Tribe starters are untouchable

CLEVELAND -- Indians GM Mark Shapiro always says 40 games is the first key point where you can truly evaluate his team and I'm sure he's a little confused this morning. The Indians are 21-19 and moved into first place in the AL Central with Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Athletics but they desperately need another bat. They head into today's noon matinee with one of the game's worst offenses -- but also with one of the most unbelievable runs by a rotation in the last 40 years.

It will be up to Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers to see if Tribe starters can set a major-league record. Cleveland starters are at 43 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and the record is 54, set by the 1974 Orioles. Laffey goes today and Sowers comes up from the Bisons to make a spot start Friday in Cincinnati. The team record, by the way, is 47, set by the 1948 World Series champions.

"It's pretty special stuff what they're putting together right now," manager Eric Wedge said after C.C.  Sabathia's five-hitter with 11 strikeouts Wednesday night. "They're going well beyond the call of duty."

It's four shutouts in five games for Cleveland. Five in eight games. An 0.19 ERA for the starters in the six games on this homestand. Yes, I said 0.19. Should be fun at the noon hour today.

---Mike Harrington

(AP Photo: Sabathia celebrates his strikeout of Oakland's Emil Brown that wrapped up Wednesday's latest shutout)

Streaking Barfield

Josh Barfield now has the longest hit streak on the Bisons this season. He went 1-for-4 Monday night in Rochester to extend his streak to 11 consecutive games. During the stretch, he has hit .292 with three RBIs and six runs scored. Two other Bisons have had hit streaks of at least 10 games this season: Danny Sandoval and Jason Tyner. Here is the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Pawtucket:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Danny Sandoval, ss
Michael Aubrey, dh
Aaron Herr, 3b
Jason Cooper, rf
Andy Gonzalez, lf
Brad Snyder, cf
Ryan Mulhern, 1b
Wyatt Toregas, c
Brian Slocum, p

---Rodney McKissic

Herd wraps up road trip

ROCHESTER -- As we surmised Sunday, pitcher Jeremy Sowers is getting called up to Cleveland to pitch Friday's game at Cincinnati so he will have a truncated outing tonight as the Bisons finish their road trip against the Rochester Red Wings in Frontier Field.

The Bisons will have a key addition Tuesday in outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who will join the club on injury rehab after getting out of extended spring training. Choo is coming off elbow ligament surgery and will join the Buffalo lineup for Wednesday's game. Click here to read MLB.com's update on Choo filed before today's doubleheader in Progressive Field.

The Herd enters tonight's game 4-2 on its road trip and with its first winning jaunt of the season sewed up. Second baseman Josh Barfield enters on a 10-game hitting streak and can set a season high for the team with a hit tonight. He's keeping the pressure on Asdrubal Cabrera, who homered in the seventh inning of today's opener in Cleveland.

Here's Buffalo's starting lineup:

Josh Barfield, 2b

Danny Sandoval, ss

Michael Aubrey, 1b

Aaron Herr, 3b

Ryan Mulhern, dh

Andy Gonzalez, lf

Brad Snyder, cf

Bronson Sardinha, rf

Wyatt Toregas, c

---Mike Harrington

Colon's comeback trail coming here

Bartolo Colon had a good outing Sunday for the Pawtucket Red Sox and the next trip on his rehab tour is scheduled to be in Buffalo against the Bisons on Thursday afternoon. He's expected to throw about 75 pitches and from there, it could be on to Boston to add another piece to the Red Sox rotation.

Pretty amazing that a team like Boston can have a former Cy Young Award winner waiting in the wings. But reports of the 5-foot-11 Colon weighing up to 250 pounds (he was never skinny, just for the record) could be troublesome for the Sox. That kind of weight can't be good on anyone that short, let alone a big-league pitcher.

Colon, still the only man to throw a no-hitter in Dunn Tire Park when he did it for the Bisons in 1997, has an opt-out clause in his contract on June 1 (either the Sox put him in the big leagues or let him go). He's already extended it for a month and clearly wants to be in Boston so it's going to be interesting to see what he has left at this point of his career.

Colon and Fausto Carmona are easily the two most dominating pitchers we've seen in Buffalo during the Cleveland era. Others like Joe Roa, Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers have controlled hitters with offspeed stuff but few could simply blow hitters away like Colon.

---Mike Harrington

Indians likely to need Sowers

ROCHESTER -- Always have your antenna up when there's a rainout in Cleveland. The Tribe and Blue Jays got washed out Sunday, forcing a doubleheader Monday night in Progressive Field. So Fausto Carmona will start the opener today and thus won't be going Friday in Cincinnati. That means the Tribe needs a starter. Bet on Jeremy Sowers to get the call.

Sowers is scheduled to go for the Bisons Monday in Frontier Field. Let's see if he only goes about three innings and 50 pitches or so before getting yanked. Too bad for the Herd, which has been getting terrific work from Sowers (2-2, 2.21). At least the back end of the bullpen has been pretty solid. Look for middle man Jeff Harris to get the emergency call when Sowers leaves.

---Mike Harrington

Tyner gets the call

ROCHESTER -- Well, the Cleveland Indians sure surprised me. Outfielder Jason Tyner is the one getting the call to the big leagues as reliever Tom Mastny comes back to Buffalo. I didn't think the Tribe would be looking for another outfielder but Tyner does add some speed (6 for 6 on steals) and he's hot (batting .353 during a 10-game hitting streak). Tyner opened with an awful start, batting .167 over the Herd's first 18 games, but didn't quit and got rewarded.

I'm thinking more at-bats now in the outfield for Ryan Mulhern. And the Bisons have a big decision to make when Jordan Brown comes off the DL. You can't possibly send red-hot Michael Aubrey back to Akron. Do you send Brown back even though he was a league MVP there last year and probably doesn't have much to prove? We'll see.

---Mike Harrington

Mastny coming but who's going?

ROCHESTER -- The word out of Cleveland late Saturday is that seldom-used reliever Tom Mastny is coming back to the Bisons to get some work. Who's going up? Torey Lovullo had his office door closed for more than 15 minutes after Saturday's 3-2 loss to Rochester and no players went in or came out to get the good word they're headed to the big leagues.

The scuttlebutt I got in some late-night chats with folks at Progressive Field is that this could be the time second baseman Josh Barfield goes back to the big leagues. He's batting .308 on a nine-game hitting streak and doing a good job defensively. It would be well-deserved.

I know they don't need a pitcher but the Indians have to figure out a way to get Buffalo closer Rick Bauer to the big leagues soon. He's got seven saves and an 0.68 ERA for a below-.500 team. The one crimp is he's not on the 40-man roster. So how about designating unused Craig Breslow and giving Bauer the call?

We'll see when the Tribe and Bisons report for work Sunday what the moves are.

---Mike Harrington

Herd seeks more May magic

ROCHESTER -- After a miserable April, the Bisons are finding some offense and it's no coincidence they enter tonight's game against the Rochester Red Wings in Frontier Field with a 6-2 mark in May. They batted just .239 as a team in April but are at .272 in May and several individuals have finally found their stroke.

They'll have an interesting challenge tonight against Rochester lefty Francisco Liriano, the former Minnesota all-star on the road back from Tommy John surgery. He's 0-1, 5.40 thus far for the Red Wings. Jason Stanford (1-0, 1.15) is the starter for the Herd. Here's Buffalo's starting lineup, with a quick update on each player's recent success:

Josh Barfield, 2b (.306 during eight-game hitting streak)

Danny Sandoval, ss (7 for 16 in four-game hitting streak)

Michael Aubrey, 1b (9 for 25 since promotion from Double-A Akron)

Aaron Herr, dh (.320 in six-game hitting streak, has hit safely in 21 of 24)

Bronson Sardinha, rf (debut in the lineup)

Andy Gonzalez, 3b (has reached base in 26 of 28 games)

Brad Snyder, cf (3 for 10 last three games, including game-winning double last night)

Jason Tyner, lf (batting .355 in nine-game hitting streak)

Wyatt Toregas, c (has reached safely in 16 of 17 games)

---Mike Harrington

Quite a gesture on the diamond

We'll be at Frontier Field starting tonight for the rest of the Bisons' series against the Rochester Red Wings (ex-Minnesota phenom Francisco Liriano starts tonight for the Wings). But in perusing today's Rochester paper, I found an unbelieveable story about a college game Thursday between Oswego and St. John Fisher in the ECAC Upstate Division III playoffs.

In a frightening incident that reminded everyone of the death of Double-A Tulsa coach Mike Coolbaugh  last July, Oswego coach Frank Paino was knocked out when he was struck in the temple by a line drive while coaching third base. He was rushed to the hospital and luckily is doing well but players on both teams were so upset that Fisher conceded the game even though it trailed, 9-5, in the ninth inning and a loss would end its season.

Pretty amazing sportsmanship move there. Life itself was a little more important than a game.

---Mike Harrington

Interesting mound matchups

Must-see TV Wednesday night at 7 on YES: Cliff Lee (5-0) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (6-0) in Yankee Stadium.

If you want to get in your car this weekend and see more good pitching, you can go to Rochester for the Bisons' series or make a longer trip to the Indians-Blue Jays series in Progressive Field (and the way those two teams are swinging the bats, the pitchers figure to dominate).

Saturday night's starter for the Red Wings against the Herd is likely to be former Minnesota Twins all-star Francisco Liriano, the 24-year-old phenom trying to make a comeback from Tommy John surgery. It's been tough for him so far as he's 0-1, 5.40 in three starts for the Wings. Monday at Columbus was his best to date, as Liriano allowed one run on two hits over five innings but walked four.

The Bisons' rotation looks like it will open with Adam Miller Friday night, followed by Matt Ginter against Liriano, Jeremy Sowers on Sunday and Brian Slocum on Monday.

Friday night in Cleveland, it's a matchup of former Cy Young Award winners as C.C. Sabathia meets Roy Halladay. Saturday night will feature young stars on the rise in ex-Bison Aaron Laffey and Toronto's Dustin McGowan. Sunday afternoon's game is scheduled to pit Fausto Carmona and A.J. Burnett, while Lee meets Shawn Marcum Monday night.

---Mike Harrington

Kennedy bounces back in Triple-A

In the wake of all the recent talk about Yankees pitching problems, here's some good news: Ian Kennedy didn't fret over his demotion and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of Tuesday's 4-0 win over Charlotte. Just reading that article, you can see how confident he sounded being back in Triple-A. He has to find a way to have that feeling the next time he's in the Bronx.

---Mike Harrington

Not the same Joe

Couple e-mailers wondered what I meant when I wrote Sunday that new Yankees manager Joe Girardi is being testy and secretive with the media and is a far cry from dealing with Joe Torre. Talented Westchester Journal News beat writer/blogger Peter Abraham tackled that very subject in his Sunday column and provides perspective any Yankee fan would find interesting.

---Mike Harrington

Weird nightcap

The Bisons had a relatively uneventual 6-4 win over Charlotte in Sunday's opener in Dunn Tire Park. But as the shadows crept over the infield during game two, it seemed like a full moon came out over the ballpark.

The Indians got shut out again, 2-0, by the Royals in Progressive Field and a scant 20 minutes later Ben Francisco was mysteriously scratched from the Buffalo lineup for the nightcap and replaced at DH by Andy Gonzalez. Turns out he was called up to Cleveland, this time probably for good.

Then came the bottom of the first of the nightcap here. Jason Stanford walked Brad Eldred on a full-count pitch and Torey Lovullo came out to talk to plate umpire Bobby Price. The conversation heated up and Lovullo was eventually ejected but Price wasn't done. Lovullo had his hands in his back pockets and it was Price who became the aggressor. It looked like the umpire did the chest-bumping and was pointing his finger at Lovullo. Crew chief Damien Beal had to come down the baseline and restrain the umpire as Lovullo stood by idly.

It seemed like a lot of this stemmed from Friday night's game, when Lovullo & Co. had plenty of problems with Price as he worked first base. It was a bizarre scene and one the International League office should certainly review. Totally unprofessional behavior by Price, who deserves a suspension. You can read my full account in Monday's paper here.

Worse yet, Lovullo told us afterward Price's crew will be in Syracuse Monday for the Bisons' series there. Lovullo said he's willing to bury the hatchet -- even though Price called out two Buffalo runners at the plate on dubious calls after Lovullo's exit. I think the IL should avert more trouble and get a different crew to Syracuse.

---Mike Harrington

Is it Joba Time in Yanks' rotation?

In Sunday's Inside Baseball column, we tackle one of the biggest issues swirling around the New York Yankees: In the wake of flameouts by Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, is it time for Joba Chamberlain to start?

I say the Yankees have to do what they can to get Chamberlain stretched out and into their rotation. He might only be able to initially go four or five innings but they can back him up with someone like Kei Igawa or Darrell Rasner to start.  Chamberlain might pitch 150 innings or so this year as a starter and he has filthy stuff. Why limit that to 70 innings?

Yes, your setup relief gets appeciably weaker. But it makes no difference if there's no lead to setup and protect for Mariano Rivera. So you make the call on our poll. And feel free to leave some comments as well. Is Hank Steinbrenner right about moving Chamberlain or do you believe in the patience being preached by GM Brian Cashman?

---Mike Harrington

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Finally, Aubrey makes Triple-A debut

It will be interesting to watch the play of first baseman Michael Aubrey, who makes his debut with the Bisons tonight against Charlotte in Dunn Tire Park. Aubrey was Cleveland's No. 1 draft choice out of Tulane in 2003 but back and hamstring issues have essentially ruined his career. He's 26 years old now and has yet to play 100 games in any season.

But he's been healthy so far this year, hitting in 22 of 24 games at Double-A Akron, and got the call when Jordan Brown went on the disabled list. Aubrey gets the start at first and is batting in the cleanup slot for the second game of the series. Brian Slocum is Buffalo's starting pitcher. The Herd's lineup:

Josh Barfield, 2b

Danny Sandoval, ss

Ben Francisco, rf

Michael Aubrey, 1b

Aaron Herr, 3b

Andy Gonzalez, lf

Brad Snyder, cf

Ryan Mulhern, dh

Yamid Haad, c

---Mike Harrington

Sowers finally picks up win

Jeremy Sowers had pitched well in the early season for the Buffalo Bisons. It earned him a spot start for the Cleveland Indians against the New York Yankees.

But Sowers had only an 0-2 record and three no-decisions to show for his combined five starts.

Until Thursday night.

Sowers finally picked up his first win as the Herd defeated Charlotte, 5-2, in Dunn Tire Park.

Sowers gave up one run on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks in seven innings of work.

And he finally got run support. In his previous four starts for the Herd, the Bisons averaged just 2.3 runs per game.

With four wins in their last five games, the Bisons may be starting to climb their way out of that hole they dug themselves in April.

--- Amy Moritz

Winkelsas on the disabled list

South Buffalo native Joe Winkelsas is indeed on the Charlotte Knights' roster but the 34-year old right handed pitcher is on the disabled list.

Winkelsas has made two appearances for the Knights this season with a 4.50 ERA, giving up two runs on three hits in four innings of work.

He spent most of last season with Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League and pitched in five games for Triple-A Richmond.

The Knights are in Dunn Tire Park for a four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons which begins in about an hour.

The Herd is hoping to start May fresh after one of the worst April records (10-17) in franchise history. Jeremy Sowers gets the the start for the Herd.

Josh Barfield -- 2B

Andy Gonzalez -- SS

Ben Francisco -- LF

Jordan Brown -- 1B

Aaron Herr -- 3B

Ryan Mulhern -- DH

Brad Snyder -- CF

Jason Tyner -- RF

Wyatt Toregas -- C

--- Amy Moritz

Herd pitching beginning to heat up

In the last 10 games, Bisons starting pitchers have combined to go 3-2 with a 1.63 ERA. The group has allowed just nine earned runs in 49.2 innings. They've also allowed 42 hits and struck out 44. Below is the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees:

Josh Barfield, 2b
Danny Sandoval, ss
Ben Francisco, lf
Jordan Brown, 1b
Ryan Mulhern, dh
Jason Cooper, rf
Andy Gonzalez, 3b
Jason Tyner, cf
Wyatt Toregas, c
Matt Ginter, p

---Rodney McKissic

Yanks finally get to go home

CLEVELAND -- So much has been made about the arduous schedule of the Red Sox that included the long trip to Tokyo. But people seem to have forgotten what the Yankees have been going through. Monday's 5-2 win over the Indians in Progressive Field completed a stretch of 20 games that saw the Yankees play 18 on the road.

They finally got on a plane and went home -- rather than to a new city -- late Monday night and host the Tigers Tuesday in the Bronx. The schedule was caused by the Papal mass in Yankee Stadium, which forced the team to flip-flop home series with the Orioles

The Yankees survived that 20-game stretch with a 10-10 record and are 14-13 overall. They're just one game out of first in the AL East even though they've played 18 road games (most in the majors) and just nine home games (fewest).

Winning pitcher Mike Mussina (above) joked with reporters that he had to find his house key because he's been so used to using hotel keys.

"It really didn't look too good for us when we lost the first two games of this series," Mussina said. "But we can get something going now. I'm encouraged. If we play the way we did the last two days, we'll have a good season."

"I don't remember where we're going and where we've been,'' added Derek Jeter. "It seems like this has just been an extension of spring training. We had one game at home (April 16 against Boston), played the next day and took off for the road again. But we've held our own and tried to stay as consistent as we can. It could be a whole lot worse I think. Hopefully we can go home now and put together a big stretch.''

Of course, the Yanks have a potentially major injury problem to overcome in catcher Jorge Posada. And Alex Rodriguez's quad is still an issue. He DH'd Monday and Johnny Damon pinch-hit for him in the eighth when the muscle tightened. A-Rod may not play tonight. I wonder if the Yankees need to shut him down at home for a few days so the injury doesn't linger all summer. Three days off may not have been enough.

So what's the buzz from Yankees fans -- encouraged they stayed above .500 or discouraged by the injuries?

---Mike Harrington

(AP Photo: Mussina works Monday night against the Indians)

Laffey sticking around

CLEVELAND -- With Jake Westbrook on the DL, the Indians have already announced that Aaron Laffey will not be immediately returning to Buffalo and will instead get another start here Saturday night against the Royals. They had made that decision before tonight's game with the Yankees began and it looks even better with Laffey throwing a no-hitter through five innings.

Laffey walked Melky Cabrera to lead off the game and Derek Jeter then reached on an error. Laffey then took over by setting down the next 14 hitters until hitting Robinson Cano with two out in the fifth. Only one ball has left the infield in the last four innings. Laffey has thrown 63 pitches (39 strikes).

Laffey has a no-no going but the game is still scoreless because the Indians have just three hits off Mike Mussina. Stay tuned.

---Mike Harrington

UPDATE, 8:51 p.m. The Indians have taken a 2-0 lead through five on Jason Michaels' RBI single and Travis Hafner's sacrifice fly but left the bases loaded.

UPDATE, 9:08 p.m. The no-hitter is gone and so is Laffey's lead.  As it turned out, he gave up four runs in the top of the sixth -- even though just one ball left the infield. Melky Cabrera broke up the no-no on an infield single between third and short and things just disintegrated from there. Alex Rodriguez's bases-loaded hit batsman, RBI groundouts by Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui and Morgan Ensberg's infield hit to third scored the four runs. Bronx Bombers? Ha!