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TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons host the Durham Bulls in the final game of a four-game set at Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). Ahead 2-1, the Herd is looking for the series win today. Buffalo is 3-4 so far on their eight-game homestand that also concludes today. On Monday, the Bisons will travel to Syracuse for a three-game in two day set with the Chiefs.

CASTILLO ACQUIRED: The Mets have acquired INF Javier Castillo from the White Sox and the 25-year old is scheduled to make his Bisons debut this afternoon. Castillo hit .262 (44-168) with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 15RBI in 47 games with Charlotte this season. Last year, Castillo led all White Sox farmhands with 10 triples while playing at Birmingham (AA) and the Knights.

BROWN ADDED: Just prior to yesterday’s game, the Bisons activated OF Emil Brown. Brown played in three games with the Mets (1-5, BB) after a brief four-game stint with the Bisons, May 30-June 2 (.313, 5-16, RBI). Brown hit .260 (38-146) with four home runs and 22RBI in 41 games with Portland (AAA) before joining the Mets organization.

CHIP OFF THE BLOCK: OF Chip Ambres collected his first two Bisons hits yesterday, doubling and driving in a run. Ambres joined the Herd on Thursday from Pawtucket where he hit .259 (48-185) with three homers and 18RBI.

FEELIN’ SULLY: OF Cory Sullivan has averaged .365 (27-74) in his last 19 games. The outfielder has nine multi-hit efforts since May 22 as well as 10 runs scored. The stretch has raised his average 68 points from .202 to .270. Sullivan’s 48 hits are second on the Bisons club (OF Jesus Feliciano, 56).

ROSTER MOVE: The Mets released Bisons OF Jason Cooper today. Cooper played in 26 games with the Bisons this year, adding to his Modern Era record for games played in Buffalo (436). Cooper also leaves the Herd T1st in the Modern Era in triples (20), 2nd in doubles (85), RBI (226) and runs scored (209). Cooper was a three-time winner of the Herd’s Community Service Award and part of the 2004 International League Governors’ Cup Championship team.

The New York Mets today announced that they have acquired INF Javier Castillo from the Chicago White Sox. Castillo has been activated to the Buffalo Bisons roster and is scheduled to be in uniform for today’s 1:05 p.m. game against the Charlotte Knights at Coca-Cola Field.

To make roster room, the Mets have released OF Jason Cooper.

Castillo, 25, has spent the entire season with Charlotte (AAA) and has hit .262 (44-168) with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 15RBI in 47 games. Castillo has averaged .348 (16-46) off left-handed pitchers and .316 (12-38) with runners in scoring position.

Castillo was a non-roster invitee to White Sox camp this spring. Originally signed by Chicago-AL as a non-drafted free agent on January 9, 2002, he has hit .261 (591-2,267) with 39 home runs and 291RBI in 647 career minor league games (all in the White Sox system). Last season, he averaged .288 (141-489) with eight home runs and 76RBI in 130 games between Birmingham (AA) and Charlotte (AAA). His 10 triples led all White Sox farmhands.

Cooper played 26 games with the Bisons this year to add to his Buffalo Modern Era record for games played (now 436). His 20 Bisons triples are tied for the most in the Modern Era while the outfielder ranks second in doubles (85), RBI (226) and runs scored (209), fifth in hits (342) and sixth in home runs (49).

In 2009, Cooper hit .169 (11-65) with four doubles, a triple and four RBI with the Bisons.

Durham sent nine men to the plate to break out of a 2-2 tie with a five run ninth inning to knock off Buffalo 7-2 Saturday night.

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The Bisons and Bulls meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 when Brandon Knight and Wade Davis take the ball.

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TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Durham Bulls in the third game of a four-game set at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is now up 2-0 in the set after an outstanding performance by LHP Jonathon Niese, who held Durham scoreless in his 7.1 innings of Buffalo’s 1-0 win last night. Following this series, the Bisons will travel to Syracuse for a three-game in two day set with the Chiefs.

OH NELLY: RHP Nelson Figueroa will take the mound tonight in search of his third consecutive win. Figueroa is coming off two terrific starts in which he went seven-plus innings allowing only one earned run in each outing. The 35-year-old has been the Herd’s most consistent starter this season by throwing at least six innings in seven of his nine starts. Figueroa leads the Bisons pitching staff with six quality starts.

FEELIN’ SULLY: OF Cory Sullivan has averaged .366 (26-71) in his last 18 games. The outfielder has nine multi-hit efforts since May 22 as well as 10 runs scored. The stretch has raised his average 67 points from .202 to .269. Sullivan’s 47 hits are second on the Bisons club (OF Jesus Feliciano, 56).
DONE LIKE DESSENS: RHP Elmer Dessens picked up his ninth save of the year last night by throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief while striking out four. The veteran’s nine saves are tied for seventh in the International League, four behind leader RHP Jim Miller of Norfolk.

ONE’S ENOUGH: Buffalo’s 1-0 last night was their second such win in the last seven games. The Herd beat Norfolk, 1-0, on June 4 as four Bisons pitchers combined on a three-hitter. Buffalo had two 1-0 wins all of last season.

NIESE-LY DONE: LHP Jonathon Niese turned in his best start of the season last night to earn his first win of the 2009 campaign. The southpaw threw 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. The Mets #1 pitching prospect took a no-hitter into the sixth inning when OF Rashad Eldridge hit a clean, two-out double down the right field line. Niese lowered his ERA from 7.36 to 6.31 with his performance last night.

The Bisons received the best outing of the season from Jonathon Niese on Friday night, leading the Bisons to a 1-0 win over Durham. The southpaw took a no-hit bid into the sixth before Rashad Eldridge doubled, one of two hits allowed.

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Elmer Dessens worked the final 1 2/3 to preserve the win, while striking out the side in the top of the ninth. Dessens has converted his last nine save opportunities.

The Bisons posted their second shutout in the last six games and have take a 2-0 series lead over the Bulls.

Buffalo returns to action on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Durham.

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