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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Win 2004 Governors\' Cup

September 17, 2004 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


This magical ride is finally over. And it ended the only way it should.

The Bisons defeated the Richmond Braves, 6-1, Thursday night to win the 2004 International League Championship in front of 5,616 appreciative fans at Dunn Tire Park. Buffalo took the best-of-five game series, 3-1

Of course, it was a comeback that allowed the Herd to win their second Governor's Cup since rejoining the IL in 1998 as the Braves held the 1-0 lead after four innings of play. But in the fifth inning, the record-breaking Bisons' offense took control. The first big hit of the night came in the top of the fifth inning from the smallest player on the team as Jason Tyner lined a two-out, two run double down the right field line. The clutch hit gave the Bisons the 2-1 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.

In the sixth inning, it was Dusty Wathan's turn to come up huge for his teammates. With one out, the Bisons loaded the bases with an Ernie Young double, a Ryan Garko walk and a single from Brent Abernathy. Wathan then golfed a 1-2 sinker from Braves starter Mike Romano over the head of left fielder Ryan Langerhans for a three-run double. He then moved to third on an error and scored on a Brandon Phillips sacrifice fly to make it 6-1.

That was all Bisons starter Evan Thomas (2-0) would need as the 30-year old righty won his second series-clinching game of the post season. Thomas gave up just one run on five hits in seven innings of work. He struck out eight batters and walked none.

On Sunday, Thomas threw eight shutout innings and gave up just two hits as the Bisons defeated the Durham Bulls 7-0 in the decisive Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs.

Thursday night, Thomas was supported by Brian Tallet pitching a shutout ninth inning.

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