Monday, May 16, 2011 (11:05 a.m.) – Louisville Slugger Field
Radio: WWKB AM 1520, bisons.com

Buffalo Bisons (16-22, 4th(-6.0), North)
RHP Chris Schwinden (2-1, 2.20)

Louisville Bats (22-15, 2nd(-3.0), West)
RHP Chad Reineke (4-1, 3.11)

TODAY’S GAME: This morning, the Bisons take on the Louisville Bats in the final game of a four-game series from Louisville Slugger Field (11:05 a.m.). The Bisons need a win today to earn a split of the four-game set. Buffalo’s 4-3 win last night ended a three-game losing streak. After today’s game, the Bisons will travel to Victory Field to take on the Indianapolis Indians.

VS. THE BATS: Today is the Bisons’ final regular season match-up against the Bats. Buffalo will play all eight of their games against Louisville before facing any other non-divisional foe. Buffalo is 3-4 against the Bats and can split the season series with a win today. In the seven previous games this season, the Bats have outscored the Bisons, 42-24.

SCHWING AND MISS: RHP CHRIS SCHWINDEN ranks fifth in the International League with a 2.20ERA. The righty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning in his last start, a no-decision on Wednesday against the Yankees. He struck out six in 5.2 innings in that outing. Schwinden leads the Bisons with 31 strikeouts, five of which came in a six-inning victory over Louisville on May 6 at Coca-Cola Field.

HOT HITTER: OFF JESUS FELICIANO enters today’s game on a five-game hit streak over which he has averaged .316 (6-19). Feliciano has reached base safely in 10 of his last 11 games and has driven in at least one run in seven of his last 10. Feliciano has a hit and an RBI in each game of this series.

DEBUTS: Newcomers INF LUIS FIGUEROA and OF BUBBA BELL have already made their impact on the Bisons. Figueroa has hit in all three games he’s played in with a .556 (5-6) average and a runs scored. Bell’s two-run double in the eighth inning last night gave the Bisons the 4-3 victory. Buffalo also got 1.1 shutout innings from Mets’ RHP PEDRO BEATO for the win yesterday.

BISONS BITS: When the Bisons took the 4-3 lead in the 8th inning, it was their first lead of the series…LHP JUSTIN HAMPSON has retired the first batter he’s faced in 12 of his 13 relief appearances (92%)…Yesterday, RHP PEDRO BEATO became already the 42nd player to appear for the Bisons this season.

METS UPDATE: The Mets (19-21) earned a series win with a 7-4 victory over the Astros on Sunday. Former Bison INF JUSTIN TURNER hit his first career major league home run and drove in a career-high five runs. The Mets have now won seven of their last 10 games as they open a two-game series against Florida tonight at 7:10 p.m.