Triple-A World Series Notes — Game 2

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998 | 9:35 a.m.

The Buffalo Bisons received a two-run double from Jeff Manto and two-run singles from Phil Hiattand James Betzsold as they cruised to a 9-2 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs in Game 2 of the Triple-A World Series at Cashman Field. The victory evened the best-of-5 series at a game apiece. Bisons starter Mike Matthews pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk against two strikeouts. Manto and Hiatt each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. ... Zephyrs third baseman Chris Truby is listed as day-to-day after spraining his left wrist in Game 1 on Monday. ... Baseball America's latest power rankings name Buffalo the No. 6 minor-league team in any class. The publication failed to rate New Orleans. ... Buffalo is the second-winningest Triple-A team of the 1990s. The Bisons are 713-584 this decade for a winning percentage of .550. New Orleans (formerly Denver) is 14th at 649-643 (.502). The Las Vegas Stars are 27th out of 28 teams at 571-710 (.446). ... Sanford, the makers of Sharpie markers, will hold a player autograph session before Thursday's game at around 11:30 a.m. on the Cashman Field concourse. ... For the second night in a row, the stands emptied at the conclusion of the seventh inning after a drawing to give away over 500 Beanie Babies.

Upcoming games

The best-of-5 World Series takes a day off today to imitate a home-and-home postseason series and accomodate ESPN2. The series resumes Thursday at 12:30 p.m. when the Bisons send right-hander Willie Martinez (0-0, 0.00) to the mound against former Las Vegas Stars right-hander Bob Scanlan (2-0, 0.50). On Friday, the Bisons will start right-hander Tavis Driskill (1-1, 1.93) against Zephyrs right-hander Rob Milacki (1-1, 9.00). If Saturday's Game 5 is needed, Buffalo righty Jason Rakers (2-1, 3.44) will oppose New Orleans southpaw John Halama (3-0, 1.88). All stats are from the postseason.

Attendance

Tuesday's crowd: 4,090.

Series total: 8,232 (two games).

Average per date: 4,116.