Aaron Laffey will take the mound for the Herd tonight, his first game with the team in over three months. The lefty is 3-1 with a 2.77ERA with the Bisons this season. Laffey was the Herd’s opening day starter, but was recalled to Cleveland on April 28. With the Tribe, Laffey went 5-7 with a 4.23ERA in 16 starts. Over the last two seasons, Laffey has 12 wins and only 1 loss in his 18 games with the Bisons. The Herd is 16-5 when he takes the mound.

TODAY’S GAME: This evening, the Buffalo Bisons will be taking on the Indianapolis Indians in the first game of a four-game series from Dunn Tire Park (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is coming off a two-game series split with Syracuse thanks to yesterday’s 2-1 victory against the Chiefs. Taking the ball for the Herd is LHP Aaron Laffey. The lefty was the Bisons Opening Day starter and appeared in five games before being promoted to Cleveland. Indianapolis will counter with LHP Tom Gorzelanny.

TODAY’S STARTER: Aaron Laffey
-Last Game: 7/23 @LAA: (L, 4.0IP, 12H, 8R, 8ER, 2BB, 2K).
-2008 w/ Bisons: (3-1, 2.77ERA)(5GS, 26.0IP, 24H, 9R, 8ER, 6BB, 20K).
-2008 w/ Cleveland: (5-7, 4.23)(93.2IP, 103H, 52R, 44ER, 31BB, 41K).
-2007 w/ Bisons: (9-3, 3.3.08)(16G, 96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K).
-2007 Bisons Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher (Buffalo 13-3 when he pitched).
-2007 Indians Bob Feller Minor League Pitcher of the Year (13-4, 2.88ERA).
-Selected in the 16th round (468th overall) of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

LINDEN THE WAY: OF Todd Linden has become an offensive leader for the Herd. Since June 26, Linden has reached base safely in 32 of his last 35 games. During the stretch, Linden is batting .267 (34-127) with 11 doubles, 5 home runs and 27RBI. The outfielder has also drawn 25 walks in the those 35 games. His 40 free passes on the season are tied for the team lead.

A BREEZE: INF Michael Aubrey has homered in three of his last five games and he now has six home runs on the season. Aubrey’s home run in the bottom of the eighth yesterday was the game-winning hit in the 2-1 win. Aubrey now has a hit in 16 of his last 18 games including eight multi-hit performances. Aubrey has also knocked in 19 runs in his last 18 games.

ROSTER MOVE: The Bisons have added INF Andy Cannizaro today, completing a trade with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for future considerations. Cannizaro hit .240 (41-171) with one home run and 17RBI in 51 games with the Durham Bulls. He also played one game (0-1) with the Rays. To make roster room, INF Walter Diaz was transferred to Mahoning Valley.

BISONS BITS: OF Jason Cooper (393) is just 7 games away from tying C Tom Prince (400) for the most games played in the Bisons Modern Era… OF Trevor Crowe has reached base safely in his first 9 games as a Bison.

Prior to today’s game, former Bisons OF Dave Clark and former Manager Brian Graham will be inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame.

Clark played in parts of three seasons with Buffalo and currently ranks first in the Modern Era with a .327 batting average and a .594 slugging percentage.

Graham won 253 games with the Herd from 1995-1997, collecting an American Association Championship in 1997. There will also be a special ceremony for legendary Bisons slugger INF Luke Easter, who will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.

TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Syracuse Chiefs in the second game of a two-game series from Dunn Tire Park (1:05 p.m.). The Herd will be looking for the split after the Chiefs collected the 5-3 win last night. This is part of a six-game homestand as the Herd will welcome the Indianapolis Indians into town, August 4-7. On the mound today for the Herd is RHP Anthony Reyes. The righty won his Bisons debut on Tuesday with five solid innings of work against Durham. Syracuse will counter with LHP Ricky Romero.

TODAY’S STARTER: Anthony Reyes
-Last Game: 7/29 @CHA: (W, 5.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 4K), Bisons’ 8-7 loss.
-2008 w/ Bisons: (1-0, 5.40)(1GS, 5.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 4K).
-2008 w/ST. LOUIS: (2-1, 4.91, 1SV)(10G, 14.2IP, 16H, 8R, 8ER, 3BB, 10K).
-2008 w/ Memphis: (2-3, 3.25)(11GS, 52.2IP, 51H, 21R, 19ER, 21BB, 47K).
-2007 w/ STL: (2-14, 6.04)(22G, 20GS, 107.1IP, 108H, 77R, 72ER, 43BB, 74K).
-Originally a 15th round pick (455th overall) of St. Louis in 2003.
-Acquired in a trade with St. Louis on July 27, 2008 for RHP Luis Perdomo.

GO DADDY: INF Jordan Brown has reached base in 11 of his last 12 games. Since the All-Star break, Brown has hit .302 (13-43) with one home run, eight RBI, nine walks and a .415 on-base percentage. Last night, Brown went 1-3 with a two-run single. It was his first game back from the temporary inactive list as he returned home last week for the birth of his first son, Damon.

CROWE FLYING: OF Trevor Crowe had a very successful roadtrip 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.

BISONS BITS: OF Todd Linden has reached base safely in 22 of his last 24 games. Since July 7, Linden is 28 for 89 (.315)…OF Jason Cooper (392) is just 8 games away from tying C Tom Prince (400) for the most games played in the Bisons Modern Era.

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).

A word of caution to Durham pitching: The leadoff and cleanup slots in Torey Lovullo’s lineup tonight are labeled, “Explosive, Handle with Care!”

The Bulls found out last night how dangerous “T.N.T.” – that’s Trevor and Todd – can be at any given time.

Since being called up from Double-A Akron on July 25, Trevor Crowe has been nothing short of spectacular for the Herd. Last night, he continued his six-game hitting streak (11-30, .367) by going 3 for 6 with two runs, two homeruns and four RBI.

Crowe also penciled his name in the Bisons record books by hitting a home run from both the left and the right side of the plate. The last Bison to accomplish that feat was Enrique Wilson, who did so on August 31, 1997 in an 8-5 win over Nashville. In seven total games with the Herd, Crowe is hitting .324 with four homeruns and seven RBI.

Not to be outdone, Todd Linden smashed a pair of 3-run blasts and collected 6RBI in the Bisons lopsided win. The last Bisons batter to drive in six RBI was Ryan Mulhern during a 7-inning tilt against Columbus April 16, 2007 when the Bisons crushed the Clippers 17-1 in central Ohio.

Linden’s homer in the ninth also helped the Bisons shuffle the record books. The last time two or more hitters homered twice in one game, July 2, 2004 during a 16-2 win over Syracuse at Dunn Tire Park. That night there were three individuals that hit a pair of long balls; Eric Crozier, Jhonny Peralta and Sandy Martinez while Brent Abernathy also hit a lone homerun.

There’s no doubt you can pick up a few “cheap” home runs while in Durham but that is not the case with the blasts we’ve seen from the Bisons during this series in Durham. All eight homeruns in the series have been legit and have helped raise the Herd’s team batting average to .250 since the trip started.

The show comes back to Buffalo Saturday and will open a 6-game homestand.

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Durham Bulls in the final game of a four-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park (7:05 p.m.). The Herd can earn the series sweep tonight following Thursday’s 12-2 victory over the Bulls. The Bisons are currently 5-2 on an eight-game roadtrip that began with a four-game split in Charlotte. On the mound today for the Herd is LHP Zach Jackson. The southpaw last pitched on Sunday in Charlotte and allowed just two hits and no runs to earn his second win as a Bison. Durham will counter with RHP Ben Hendrickson.

TODAY’S STARTER: Zach Jackson
-Last Game: 7/27 @CHA: (W, 6.0IP, 2H, 2K), Bisons’ 5-0 Win.
-2008 w/Bisons: (2-0, 1.08)(6G, 2GS, 16.2IP, 9H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 12K).
-2008 w/ Nashville: (1-5, 7.85)(22G, 6GS 57.1IP, 61H, 54R, 50ER, 18BB, 34K).
-2007 w/ Nashville: (11-10, 4.46)(29G, 28GS, 169.2IP, 184H, 95R, 84ER, 64BB, 123K)
-2007 w/ Nashville: 1st in starts (28), innings (169.2), strikeouts (123).
-Originally a first round draft pick by Toronto in 2004.
-Acquired in trade with Milwaukee on July 7, 2008

GETTING COMFORTABLE: In six games with the Bisons, LHP Zach Jackson has proven to be a solid pitching option for the Herd. The lefty has been used in both the bullpen (four relief appearances) and as a starter (two starts). In both roles combined, Jackson has allowed just two earned runs in 16.2 innings. In his last three games, the southpaw is 1-0 with a 0.82ERA (11.0IP).

BIG FOUR: After defeating Durham 12-2 Thursday, the Herd is now 5-1 in its last six games. The recent success can be attributed largely to some strong hitting by several players. Four Bisons, Michael Aubrey, Trevor Crowe, Morgan Ensberg and Brad Snyder, all enter tonight’s contest with hitting streaks of three games or more. In the current series with Durham, the quartet has a combined average of .397 (23-58) with six home runs and 18RBI (16R, 4 2B, 3 3B, 5BB, 2SB).

BISONS BITS: The Bisons currently rank third in the International League in team ERA with a 3.82 mark… OF Todd Linden has reached base safely in 21 of his last 22 games. Since July 7, Linden is 28 for 82 (.341, 8 2B, 4HR, 18RBI)… Linden’s six RBI last night were the most by a Bison in 2008.

The success continues for the Herd in Durham. The Bisons haven’t lost a season series since ’99 and a win tonight would guarantee that streak continuing with anther game left in the tank. The Bisons dropped 3-of-4 at Dunn Tire Park but the Bisons have pounded out double digit hit totals the last two nights to help the winning efforts.

David Huff will get the start tonight but as we’ve mentioned, his innings are capped at five each time out. Bryan Bullington had a clean ball in his locker this afternoon too and that means your classic “you start it, I’ll finish it” scenario. Torey Lovullo told me today he’d like to use this combination to complete the game tonight and hammer down a series victory. Bullington is ready for the task, five innings his last time out and extended relief in the two previous outings since coming to Buffalo.

TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Durham Bulls in the third game of a four-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park (7:05 p.m.). The Herd has jumped put to a 2-0 series lead, winning last night’s game, 8-5. The Bisons are currently 4-2 on an eight-game roadtrip that began with a four-game split in Charlotte. On the mound today for the Herd is LHP David Huff. The lefty last pitched on Saturday in Charlotte, where he allowed just one hit and no runs to earn his second win as a Bison. Durham will counter with LHP Heath Phillips.

TODAY’S STARTER: David Huff
-Last Game: 7/26 @CHA: (W, 5.0IP, H, BB, 4K), Bisons’ 4-0 win.
-2008 w/ Bisons: (3-3, 2.89)(10GS, 53.0IP, 45H, 20R, 17ER, 6BB, 54K).
-2008 w/ Akron (AA): (5-1, 1.92)(11G, 10GS, 65.2IP, 44H, 17R, 14ER, 14BB, 62K)
-2007 w/ Kinston (A): (4-1, 2.72)(11GS, 59.2IP, 57H, 23R, 18ER, 15BB, 46K).
-2007 Carolina League All-Star, missed second half of season (left elbow strain).
-2006 w/ Mahoning Valley (A): (0-1, 5.87)(4GS, 7.2IP, 9H, 5R, 5ER, 8K).
-Drafted by Cleveland in the 1st round (39th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft

STAYING HOT: OF Brad Snyder is a key reason for the Bisons’ 4-2 record on the team’s current roadtrip. Since leaving Buffalo on July 23, the centerfielder is 11 for 23 (.478) with two runs, five doubles, two triples, a homerun and eight RBI. Snyder had another stellar performance Wednesday night, going 3 for 5 with two runs, a double, a triple, a home run and four RBI. So far in July, Snyder is hitting .306 (26-85) with four home runs and 16RBI.

STREAKIN: INF Michael Aubrey has stretched his hitting streak to four games after going 3 for 5 with a run scored, a home run and two RBI in Wednesday night’s 8-5 victory in Durham. What’s equally impressive is that he has hit in 13 of his last 14 games, going 22 for 61 (.361), with five doubles, three home runs, fifteen RBI and five walks.

NEW TO THE PEN: RHP Brendan Donnelly has had great success with the Bisons as he returns from off-season Tommy John surgery. In his time with the Herd bullpen, the veteran has been a solid bridge to the closer, having picked up a hold in three of his four appearances. In four games with Buffalo (4.0IP), Donnelly has struck out three batters and owns a 2.25ERA.

BISONS BITS: OF Trevor Crowe has reached base safely in each of his first six Triple-A games. His five-game hitting streak is currently tops on the team…OF Todd Linden has reached base safely in 20 of his last 21 games. Since July 7, Linden is 25 for 77 (.325, 8 2B, 2HR, 12RBI)… INF Morgan Ensberg has hit safely in his last four games (5-13, .385, 4R, 2B, 2 HR, 8RBI, 3BB).