If the Bisons continue to swing the bats tonight like they did in the past series against Durham, I’m not going out on a limb saying that Dunn Tire Park will see a fair amount of blast as the Bisons return from a 5-3 southern swing against Charlotte and Durham.

Fans will be treated to a heavy dose of “Long Ball” regardless following the game as the Bisons will host their annual Home Run Challenge. Brad Snyder, Jason Cooper and Todd Linden are scheduled to join former Major Leaguer’s Jack Clark and George Foster for tonight’s post game Home Run Challenge.

Stick around following the game because EVERY blast will earn great prizes for fans watching tonight’s challenge.

Home Run Challenge Details: CLICK HERE

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Syracuse Chiefs in the first game of a two-game series from Dunn Tire Park (7:05 p.m.). This is the start of a six-game homestand as the Herd will welcome the Indianapolis Indians into town, August 4-7. The Bisons are coming off a 5-3 roadtrip that included a series win in Durham (3-1). On the mound tonight for the Herd is LHP John Halama. The team-leader in wins is coming off just his third loss in 10 starts with the team. The southpaw allowed three runs in seven solid innings on Sunday in Charlotte. Syracuse will counter with RHP Brian Wolfe.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: John Halama
-Last Game: 7/28 @CHA: (L, 7.0IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 4K), Bisons’ 3-0 loss.
-2008 w/ Bisons: (7-3, 4.12)(10GS, 2CG, 67.2IP, 70H, 33R, 29ER, 11BB, 25K).
-2008 w/ So. Maryland (IND): (4-1, 1.88)(8GS, 56.2IP, 47H, 13R, 12ER, 8BB, 48K).
-2007 w/ Long Island (IND): (8-10, 4.14)(26GS, 167.1IP, 201H, 94R, 77ER, 44BB, 93K).
-Career 56-48 with a 4.65ERA in 262 Major League Games (911.0IP, 492K).
-Originally a 23rd round pick (640th overall) of Houston in 1994 amateur draft.
-Signed as a free agent on June 7, 2008.

RIDING ON HALAMA: LHP John Halama has won six of his last eight starts and currently leads the team with seven victories on the season. Since the All-Star break, the veteran is 2-1 with a 1.80ERA and a pair of complete games. In fact, he’s worked into the eighth inning in three of his last four starts. Halama has also shown excellent control of late with only two walks in his last five starts and 37.2 innings of work.

CROWE FLYING: OF Trevor Crowe will make his Dunn Tire Park debut today after eight very successful road games to begin his Triple-A career. The 24-year old prospect reached base safely in every game and had hits in each of the final seven. All told, Crowe hit .308 (12-39) with four home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored. Crowe has scored eight times in his last four games.

BIG HIT BRAD: OF Brad Snyder has hit in eight of his last nine games, but it’s his last four efforts that have really been impressive. In the series against Durham, Snyder had two doubles, two triples, two home runs and eight RBI in just four games. Ten of his last 14 hits have gone for extra-bases and he now leads the Bisons with 35 extra-base hits and 10 homers.

BISONS BITS: The Bisons scored 35 runs in four games against Durham, or 8.75 runs/game…OF Todd Linden has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games. Since July 7, Linden is 28 for 85 (.328). Linden has drawn eight walks in his last four games and 13 free passes in his last nine…INF Michael Aubrey has a six-game hit streak where he has averaged .385 (10-26) with 2HR and 6BRI…INF Tony Graffanino has 3 consecutive multi-hit games (.429, 6-14).