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Despite a dismal 2-17 start that seemingly assured the Bisons of finishing dead last in the International League, the Herd is actually now on pace to finish with 85 losses which means they could very well side step Pawtucket and Columbus in the standing, leaving one of those two clubs as the International League cellar dwellers for 2009.

With a record of 18-21 since the all-star break, the Bisons have slowly closed the gap between them and fifth place Pawtucket, losers of 10 of their last 11 games, in the North Division.

Running for the bus since early June, the Sox have had serviceable pitching most of the year but their hitting has been an abomination. In fact the Sox are the only team below Buffalo in team hitting.

But there 2-1 win over Rochester on Friday night allowed the PawSox to remain three games ahead of the Bisons. Columbus at 51-74 is just one game ahead of Buffalo (50-75) but they are clearly the most troubled team in the IL.

Looking at his fourth consecutive season in Triple-A without a playoff appearance, old friend Torey Lovullo’s job as manager of the Clippers is definitely in jeopardy.

The normally reserved and positive Lovullo reached his breaking point this past Wednesday after a 7-6 loss to Toledo when he held a closed door meeting with his team and chastised them for shutting down.

Weighing all the factors the Herd may have enough left in the tank to finish 12th overall.

A gritty old school type of player, Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell continues to drive home the message that whether its pride or looking to the future there is always something to play for.

“That’s what these guys have to understand,” he said. “You’re playing for next season you’re playing for jobs.

Tobi Stoner (5-7) won his second consecutive start while Robinson Cancel and Chip Ambres (three RBI) both hit home runs to pace the Bisons 7-2 win in Game One.

Jesus Feliciano (two runs) went 3 for 4 for the Bisons.

Clint Everts (2-0) picked up the win in relief as the Chiefs earned a 2-1 win in the nightcap Friday.

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Prior to Friday’s game the Bisons announced that LHP Derrick Ellison was promoted from Double-A Binghamton.

Starting the season in the Milwaukee Brewers family, the 29-year-old Ellison went 2-2 with a 4.45 ERA and two saves in 19 games with Double-A Huntsville. Released in June, Ellison signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Independent Atlantic League where he went 1-1 with four saves in 13 appearances.

Ellison signed with the Mets on Aug. 14 and was 1-0 in 6.2 innings of action with the B-Mets.

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No rest for the wicked as the Bisons, after back-to-back double-headers, packed their bags once again as they headed out on a nine-game road trip that will take them to Scranton (four games), Pawtucket (two) and Rochester (three).

The Herd almost caught a bit of a break in scheduling as PNC Field in Scranton, which made headlines this summer because of on-going field drainage issue that forced the postponement of several Yanks games, was once again underwater as three inches of rain fell in the Moosic area causing water to flood the home and visitors dugouts, home batting cages, the visitors bullpen and parts of the concourse. The deluged PPD the Yanks Aug. 19 game against Lehigh Valley and raised the possibility that the Yanks-Bisons series this weekend would have to be relocated to Coca-Cola Field if PNC was not game-ready.

But all remained on schedule as the Yanks were able to get their games in on Thursday and Friday.