Worcester Red Sox lose lead in another road loss to Buffalo Bisons

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite an early 6-0 lead, the Worcester Red Sox (17-20) lost to the Buffalo Bisons (22-15) 12-7 Friday night at Sahlen Field.

Worcester’s offense exploded for five runs in the second inning against former American League All-Star Aaron Sanchez, who started for the Bisons after signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays on Monday.

The first seven WooSox batters arrived safely. Bobby Dalbec led off the game with a single. Niko Kavadas and Jamie Westbrook walked to load the bases. On a 3-2 pitch, Eddy Alvarez hooked a line drive single to right to bring in Dalbec.

Mark Contreras swung at the first pitch and bounced a run-scoring single to left. Corey Rosier drew a charged walk. Finally, Chase Meidroth hit a two-run single to left field. With the hit, Meidroth extended his on-base streak to 13 games.

In the top of the third, Niko Kavadas, with his impressive performance, launched a solo home run over the right-center field fence to extend Worcester’s lead to 6-0. Kavadas, who finished the night 1-for-2 with a homer, a walk and a hit by pitch, has reached in 17 straight games, a feat that should make Worcester fans proud.

However, the Buffalo Bisons, showing courage, scored nine runs over the next four innings, a comeback that deserves respect and appreciation.

Buffalo got three in the third. With one out and a runner on first base, Spencer Horwitz lined a double down the left field line to score Buffalo’s first run. Leo Jimenez hit a two-run homer to cut Buffalo’s deficit in half.

In the top of the fifth, Eddy Alvarez brought home Worcester’s seventh run with a sacrifice fly.

With one out and the bases empty in the fifth, Jimenez hit his second home run of the night.

The big turning point came in the sixth inning. Cam Eden hit Buffalo’s fourth grand slam of the International League-leading season, putting the Bisons on top 8-7.

The Bisons added a run on a wild pitch later in the frame, and they scored three more in the eighth. In total, Buffalo scored nine unanswered points to end the game.

Upon his return to Triple-A, Naoyuki Uwasawa started and pitched the first four innings. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two.

The WooSox and Bisons continue their seven-game series Saturday at 1:05 p.m.