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But it still felt good to hear those words of encouragement.

Broadway went the distance as the Buffalo Bisons topped Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 4-1 in front of 8,638 fans at Coca-Cola Field on Wednesday night.

“He didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t know but at the same time it’s nice to have a little pep talk the way he did it,” a laidback Broadway said after the game. “It’s a lot better than coming out and telling me to bear down you really need a strike, like he’s been telling me. Find a way some how. It wasn’t that same talk. It was nice to hear.”

Working eight shutout frames Broadway was tested in the ninth when the Yankees (48-34) plated a run. With runners at second and third, two outs and two strikes on Yankee center fielder Colin Curtis, Broadway put the hammer down and got Curtis swinging to close the game.

“I told Ricky go out there and tell him it’s his game and he needs to get it done” said Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell, “and he obliged.”

Throwing 73 of his 118 pitches for strikes they for Broadway’s success was hitting that first-pitch strike with consistency.

“That was huge,” said Broadway. “Lately I’ve been terrible at that and I hadn’t gotten out of the fifth inning in a long time. I think that’s the biggest part of it-getting strike one.”

Originally the top pick of the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Broadway, who was traded to the Mets on May 29, was feeling like anything but a first-rounder during his first month as a Buffalo Bison.

Going 1-3 with two no decisions in five starts and two relief appearances Broadway was also the owners of a ghastly 10.93 ERA at home, a 37.80 ERA in the sixth inning and hadn’t gone past the fifth inning since June 16 when he went six in a win over Syracuse.

“It helps man it really helps,” Broadway said when assessing his performance. “Dude, you know you can do it. But sometimes you feel like I’m making good pitches and they’re still getting hits. In the back of your mind (you ask) am I losing it? I think anyone that says those thoughts never enter their mind is lying. Even though you’re confident in your ability sometimes doubts are going to creep up. So it’s nice to mix a good (start) every once in a while.”

For Broadway it was about reaffirming his faith in his strengths, which meant relying on his change-up and having the guts to trust in his fastball when needed.

“I hate to admit this but sometimes you think you’ve got to be better and that’s the last thing I need to think. Because then I try to do more,” said Broadway. “Let’s face it I don’t have the talent that a lot of guys have as far as the ability to blow a fastball by you. That ain’t happening with me.”

Saying that his big pitfall is overanalyzing each pitch when he falls behind in counts Broadway didn’t have much to worry about this time out as he scattered seven hits while striking out four and walking two.

Notes:

Despite very strong rumors New York Mets All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes will NOT be joining the Bisons this week in Pawtucket as part of his rehab assignment. On the mend from a strained right hamstring Reyes has traveled to the Mets’ spring training complex in Florida in hopes that work there would get him ready and cleared for a minor league rehab.

But Reyes experienced discomfort, returned to Queens and received a cortisone shot on this past Tuesday. The Mets’ are still holding out hope Reyes will return just after the All-Star break.