The Buffalo Bisons and Lehigh Valley IronPigs were able to finish one of the two games slated on Wednesday night. Buffalo jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the triple by Fernando Martinez in the first inning.

The IronPigs even the score against starter Tim Redding in the fourth when David Newhan tripled in Andy Tracy.

LISTEN: Tim Redding on his rehab start

The winning run was scored against Connor Robertson in the seventh. A leadoff walk to Lou Marson moved around the bases to score on Rich Thompson’s game winning hit to give the ‘Pigs the win and a 2-0 series lead.

READ: The Game Story

Buffalo will play 3-of-4 games scheduled, the finale 10:35 a.m. Thursday.

The goal for every Major League rehab assignment is to get the player healthy and ready to compete at full strength in a timely fashion. Players on the track back to the big leagues want as little time in the minors a possible.

For Tim Redding, his rehab assignment may be one start or it could be a couple. Either way is ok with the Rochester native since it includes the comforts of home.

“I’m actually living with my mom,” Redding said before the Bisons were rained out Tuesday night. “I’d rather have home cooking than eating out all the time.”

Who wouldn’t?

The 31-year old said the 55 minute drive one way twice a day becomes a grind but it’s much better than being cooped up in a hotel.

The closest to home any professional appearance had previously placed him was May 10, 2007 in Buffalo. Working out of the bullpen, he snagged the winning decision agianst the Bisons.

Prior to being recalled by the Nationals that year the only shot he had to throw actually in Rochester came in 2006. But mother nature stepped in on the final game of the series. The tilt was canceled because of rain and he never got to throw in his hometown.

“In a way I’m hoping for a second start so I can see family,” Redding said. “My wife and kids may drive over from Michigan for the weekend series so we can all be together.”

Since Tuesday’s start was bumped back a day also moves a potential second start to Monday – not Sunday, Mother’s Day.

LISTEN: Tim talks about getting healthy and living at home

~ Ben Wagner

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TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the second and third games of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park (Game 1: 5:35 p.m.). Last night’s doubleheader was shortened to just one game because of rain. The IronPigs took the series opener, 3-0. After tomorrow, the Herd will return home for the start of an eight-game homestand against Norfolk and Gwinnett on Friday.

REDDING REHAB: RHP Tim Redding will try again tonight to start his major league rehab assignment. He was scheduled to start in last night’s Game 2 before it was rained out. Redding will get the ball in Game 1 tonight. The Mets placed Redding on the DL on April 6 (retro to 3/27) with a right rotator cuff strain. Last season, Redding was 10-11 with a 4.95ERA in 33 starts with the Washington Nationals.

STARTIN’ STRONG: The Bisons starting rotation has been the team’s strength recently. In the last six games, Herd starters are 2-3 with a 1.75ERA. The group has combined to strike out 26 and walked just four in 36.0 innings of work. For the year, the Bisons team ERA is now 3.94.

GONE STREAKIN’: OF Jesus Feliciano increased his hit streak to five games last night (matching a Bisons season-high). Feliciano singled twice in last night’s loss and is now 9 for his last 18 at the plate (.500 average). The outfielder now tops the Bisons with his .311 batting average for the season.

INSTANT IMPACT: Activated Sunday, INF Ramon Martinez has quickly made his presence felt at the top of the team’s order. He has hit in each of his first two games with the team (3-6, .500) with a pair of runs scored. Martinez is a veteran of 786 major league games and was a member of the 2002 National League Champion San Francisco Giants.

ON THE CHARTS: OF Fernando Martinez is tied for 2nd in the International League with 10 doubles. He is also 5th in the IL with 14 extra-base hits. RHP Brandon Knight is 6th in the league with his 29 strikeouts in only 25.0 innings of work. RHP Nelson Figueroa leads the entire International League with his 0.76 WHIP average (Walks and Hits/Innings Pitched).

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, played the front end of a doubleheader but were rained out of the back end for the second time in a week Tuesday night. Buffalo fell 3-0 to Lehigh Valley in game one.

READ: Game Recap

The pitching probables for the doubleheader are as follows:
Game 1: RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-1, 2.77) vs. RHP Tim Redding (0-0, 0.00) for Buffalo
Game 2: RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 4.50) vs. RHP Kyle Snyder (0-2, 5.06) for Buffalo

Follow the Herd:
Listen to the Game Live: CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Email the Broadcast Team: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Bisons Game: CLICK HERE!

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons square off against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the first two games of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park (Game 1: 6:05 p.m.). The teams are scheduled for two tonight because Monday’s series opener was postponed due to rain. The Bisons are coming off a split of a four-game series against Louisville back in Buffalo. On Friday, the Herd will return home for an eight-game homestand against Norfolk and Gwinnett.

OH NELLY: In his first three starts with the Bisons, RHP Nelson Figueroa has combined to face just five more than the minimum over 16.0 innings of work. The veteran has allowed just eight hits and three walks for a 0.69 WHIP. More than half of his baserunners have been quickly erased thanks to six doubleplays. On Wednesday in Rochester, Figueroa allowed just four hits in seven innings in a 1-0 loss to the Red Wings.

REDDING REHAB: RHP Tim Redding is scheduled to begin his Major League rehab assignment with the start in Game 2 tonight. The Mets placed Redding on the DL on April 6 (retro to 3/27) with a right rotator cuff strain. Last season, Redding was 10-11 with a 4.95ERA in 33 starts with Washington.

STARTIN’ STRONG: The last trip through the rotation has been a good one for the Herd. Starting with RHP Nelson Figueroa’s start in Rochester on Wednesday, Bisons starters are 2-2 with a 1.45ERA in five starts. The group has combined to strike out 21 and walked just two in 31.0 innings of work. For the year, the Bisons team ERA is now 3.97.

F-MART: OF Francisco Martinez hit .571 (8-14) with two doubles, two homeruns and five RBI in the four-game series against the Bats. He was a triple away from the cycle Sunday as he drove in three of Buffalo’s four runs. He is now tied with former Bison Todd Linden with 10 doubles for the International League lead. His 14 extra-base hits are one off the IL lead.

INSTANT IMPACT: Activated Sunday, INF Ramon Martinez quickly made his presence felt at the top of the team’s order. The infielder hit and scored in each of his first two at-bats. Martinez finished the game 2-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. A veteran of 786 major league games, Martinez missed the first 21 games of the season with a sports hernia injury.