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And like most things involving Niese this year, it hardly came easily.

The Bisons lefthander, on Friday night, was on the right side of a 1-0 decision over the Durham Bulls, improving his record to 1-6. In the process, he turned in the best outing of any Herd hurler this season, but only got the victory because of a key defensive play in the eighth inning by first baseman Wily Mo Pena.

With Buffalo clinging to its one-run lead, Niese – who had allowed only two hits and three walks over 7 1/3 innings – was pulled with runners at first and second with one out.

Trusty reliever Elmer Dessens struck out his first batter for the inning’s second out, but Durham’s Henry Mateo followed with a sharp single to load the bases.

Justin Ruggiano then roped a 2-1 pitch towards Pena, who made a leaping snare to end the threat.

“I was sitting near the end of the bench and couldn’t see it,” said Niese, who struck out seven. “I saw a line drive go through the infield and I didn’t see it go into the outfield. Everybody was cheering, so I figured he made a great catch.”

“I didn’t know what his vertical jump was, but I’m glad he was tall,” quipped Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell. “When the ball was hit, I said ‘Oh no,’ but then saw Wily Mo sky up there and make a nice play.”

Niese was nearly perfect through the first five innings, only allowing two baserunners: Rashad Eldridge, who reached on an error to lead off the game, and Chris Nowak, who walked in the second but was erased on a double play. The lefty didn’t allow his first hit until Eldridge lined a double up the right-field line with two down in the sixth.

“It felt good,” Niese said. “I had a plan going into the game and just stuck to it. I kept the hitters off-balance.”

Niese, who reduced his earned run average to a season-low 6.31, may have been drawing upon some added motivation after seeing teammate Jon Switzer (a lefthanded reliever) get a promotion to the New York Mets earlier in the day. Niese, after all, has already been called up once and entered the season as the organization’s top pitching prospect.

“You see guys go up all the time,” Niese explained. “You try not to pay attention to it, because it’s not your job. Your job is to focus on what you’re doing. If I get the job done here, moves then can probably be made.”

If he continues to put up outings like this one, the Mets will have no choice but to take notice.

………

The Bisons notched their second straight win, marking only their fourth winning streak of the season.

The shutout win was their second in eight days. They scored a 1-0 win at Norfolk on June 4.

………

Outfielder Emil Brown, optioned by the Mets earlier this week, is expected to report to Buffalo sometime this weekend. He has a 72-hour window to report to the Bisons after clearing waivers. Oberkfell said Brown may be in town in time for Saturday night’s 7:05 game, the third in the four-game set against Durham.

………

Switzer was a good candidate for a call-up. In 21 appearances with the Herd, he allowed 21 hits and nine walks in 25 1/3 innings. He also struck out 29 with Buffalo. Opponents had been batting only .219 against him.

………

Dessens struck out a season-high four batters in his 1 2/3-inning outing. In addition to getting out of the eighth-inning jam, he earned his ninth save of the season by striking out the side in the ninth inning.