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• WNY Woman

Ramon Martinez and Fernando Martinez combined for five hits, three RBI and three runs scored as the Bisons version of the M&M Boys helped lead the Herd to a 4-1 win over the Louisville Bats at Coca-Cola Field on Sunday afternoon.

Yankees fans will recognize the M&M nickname as the tag that former greats Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris sported in the early 1960s.

The 36-year-old Ramon Martinez, who was batting in the 2-hole, began the season on the DL with a sports hernia. He went 2-for-3 with two runs and walk in his first game of the season.

“Ramon makes a world of difference because of his being a veteran player. He knows how to play the game,” said manager Ken Oberkfell. “I just see more energy right now in the last three or four days with the acquisitions of (Wily Mo) Pena and (Mike) Lamb and now Ramon Martinez here. We have some good veteran players that know how to play the game it takes a lot of pressure off our younger guys.”

Ramon singled (first inning) and doubled (third inning) in his first two at-bats and was driven home by Fernando’s double (first) and home run (third).

“Ramon is a veteran guy. He has big league experience he knows how to play the game and he’s hitting in the second spot which is good for me,” said Fernando Martinez.

Tailing off a bit in recent weeks Fernando had very strong series against the Bats going 8-for-14 with two home runs and five RBIs.

Proof that he was back in form by spraying the ball to all parts of the field.

“Right now I feel like I’m hitting like in batting practice,” Fernando said with a smile. “The pitcher throws me away I can go the other way. He throws me inside, I can hit to right field.”

Not only key with their bats Ramon and Fernando flashed the leather at crucial moments in the game.

Fernando made a brilliant grab in the first when Chris Valaika stroked a long fly ball on a long fly to right field that surely would have scored Norris Hopper who led off the game with a double.

Making his first start in nine days Bison RHP Brandon Knight (1-2) worked seven strong innings recording nine strikeouts without issuing one free pass.

Routinely hitting first-pitch strike Knight used a solid fastball-slider mix to find success and keep Louisville (13-10) hitters off balance.

Knight pointed to his hard work in his side sessions between starts as the key for being sharp in this outing.

“Plenty,” Knight said of how much he focused during the time between starts. “That was definitely something concerning me having too much time off. So I made sure to get some good solid work in. Sometimes (in side sessions) you’ll just kind of go through the motions, just a little touch and feel (for the ball) stuff. But this time I was trying to get a little more involved. Really get a sweat going. Just hopefully stay sharp.”

Elmer Dessens struck out two in his two innings of relief work to close out the game.

Daryl Thompson (1-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up three earned runs in six innings on the hill.

The Bisons (4-18) open a four-game series at Lehigh Valley on Monday. The Herd will send RHP Nelson Figueroa (0-1, 2.25 ERA) against Ironpigs RHP Justin Lehr (3-1, 5.06 ERA).