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Bisons clinch sixth and last place in the International League North yesterday with a dis-spiriting 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Pigs Made of Iron. Three hits were all they could manage against 12 strikeouts.
Fred Lewis was named MVP. Despite not joining the club until April 25, following his release from the Indians, Lewis led all qualifiers on the team with a .294 batting average, tied for third with 13 homers, and drove in 45, fifth on the team. Lewis led the team easily with 25 steals (den Dekker was second with 11). He also leads the team in Matt Lawton DNA shared, being a first cousin of the former Met.
Matt Harvey was named the Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher, going 7-5, 3.68 in 20 starts and 110 innings for the team. Harvey struck out 112 and walked 48, but you what? If I'm Chris Schwinden's mother, I'm demanding a recount. Schwinden went 8-6 with a 2.70 ERA, starting 19 games and relieving in two more in 106.2 innings over two tours of duty with the team. (He also had five disastrous starts with three other AAA teams while cycling through DFA Hell for a couple of weeks mid-season.) Schwinnie struck out 92 and walked 30 for the Herd.
Fernando Cabrera pitched the eighth last night to set a modern Buffalo record with his 57th pitching appearance. Cabrera easily led the team with 22 saves (Justin Hampson was second with four), but his 4.10 ERA couldn't get the Mets attention long enough for them to give the 30-year-old a call, despite their ongoing bullpen problems. Cabrera had some of his best seasons pitching in the mid 2000s for Buffalo while they were affiliated with the Cleveland organization.
Not to be lost in the shuffle is the recently recalled Zach Lutz. Limited to half a season due to injuries, the 26-year-old put up a campaign to be proud of, slashing to the tune of .299 / .410 / .496 // .905. Lutz homered 10 times and drove in 35, and put himself in a good position to get a look as a replacement for David Wright should Mex get his wish and see Sugarpants get traded. He certainly looks like a good candidate for a bench job in 2013, but he hasn't played outfield and he's probably too slow, so he'd be likely limited to third and first.
Lucas May, Rob Johnson, and Jean Luc Blaquiere all put up sub-.600 OPS years for Buffalo, so that's a strong argument as any for Kelly Shoppach. Mike Nickeas actually hit the snot out of the ball in the 22 games after getting sent down, so look at any appearances he makes the rest of the year as him wrestling with the non-tender angel. The angel is winning.
Lastly, top prospect Zack Wheeler posted a 2-2 / 3.27 coda onto his impressive AA season, getting six starts and 33 International League innings, ZW puts himself in a good position to get at least a serious look by the Mets come spring training.
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