After playing eight consecutive games on the road, the Buffalo Bisons returned home to DunnTirePark Friday night, but ended up on the short end of a seven to one loss to the Columbus Clippers in the first game of a four game series. The Herd was unable to generate much offensive production, finishing the night with only five hits.
The big story Friday night, however, had less to do with the players in uniform than it did with the officiating.
Entering the third inning trailing by a score of 2-0, the Herd fell victim to one of the more controversial calls of its season. With two outs and two men on base, Clippers first baseman Larry Broadway hit a ball to right field that appeared to slide under the fence outside the field of play. Despite right fielder Todd Linden raising his arms to signal that the ball was unplayable, the play continued, and three players, including Broadway, ended up scoring.
"It's crazy," Linden said. "You don't see too many balls hit to right field that go off the wall or roll through the wall that are counted as home runs."
Broadway's inside the park homerun was the first by a Bisons' opposing player since Chad Motolla hit one off Dan Cevette in Syracuse on September 5, 2005.
Bisons manager Torey Lovullo and his players were stunned by the call, and responded by huddling together at the pitchers mound after learning of the officiating crew's decision. The Bisons are officially protesting the game to the International League.
"We're still trying to figure out exactly what happened; I'm not exactly clear, so I protested the game and we'll let the league handle it from here," Lovullo said. "The ball was clearly unavailable to Todd and should have been called a dead ball."
Four Clippers finished the night with multi-hit games, including shortstop Ray Olmedo, who led the way with three hits. Alex Escobar, Yurendell de Caster and David Murphy also had two hits apiece for Columbus.
Tyler Clippard (4-4) scattered four hits and did not allow a run in six innings to earn the win for Columbus.
The Bisons were led by center fielder Brad Snyder, who finished the night with two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Friday's game was Snyder's fourth consecutive multi-hit performance. Jordan Brown also finished with two hits for Buffalo.
Jeff Harris (2-3) took the loss on the hill for Buffalo, allowing nine hits and six earned runs in six innings of work.
The Herd is now 5-5 in its last 10 games. Columbus defeated the Herd in last weekend's series, winning three of the set's four games. The Bisons opened up a four game series with the Rochester Red Wings with a four to three victory Tuesday night at DunnTirePark. Buffalo is again scheduled to face off against the Red Wings Wednesday night at DunnTirePark, with the game scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start time.