Triple-A World Series notes -- Game 3

By Tim Graham

Ken Ramos and Marc Ronan belted back-to-back solo home runs in the eighth inning to drive the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Bisons in Game 3 of the Triple-A World Series at Cashman Field. The Zephyrs lead the best-of-5 series two games to one. Ramos' blast came off reliever Chris Nichting and tied the game at 2, while Ronan's shot came off Jimmy Hamilton and proved to be the game winner. Former Stars hurler Bob Scanlan got the victory. He went eight strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. ... Bisons starter Willie Hernandez, making his first Triple-A appearance, was impressive. The Cleveland Indians' prospect gave up one run on eight hits and a walk. He struck out eight in his six innings of work and extracted the Bisons from several jams. ... The only New Orleans starter who didn't get a hit was leadoff hitter Carlos Hernandez. ... Zephyrs third baseman Chris Truby, originally listed as day-to-day after spraining his left wrist diving for a pop foul in Game 1, started on Thursday. Truby sat out Game 2. ... Attendance once again failed to meet the expectations of World Series officials as 2,383 fans turned out to watch Game 3. That total included people attending afternoon seminars at Cashman Center. PCL president Branch Rickey and International League president Randy Mobley estimated 3,000 would attend Thursday. They also hoped for 5,000 fans the first two nights, but got only 4,142 and 4,090, respectively. ... For the third straight game, the stands were noticably thinner at the conclusion of the seventh inning after a drawing to give away 500 Beanie Babies.

Upcoming games

The best-of-5 World Series resumes today as the Bisons send right-hander Tavis Driskill (1-1, 1.93) to the mound against Zephyrs right-hander Rob Milacki (1-1, 9.00). If Saturday's Game 5 is needed, Buffalo righty Jason Rakers (2-1, 3.44) will oppose New Orleans southpaw John Halama (3-0, 1.88) in a rematch of Game 1 starters. All stats are from the postseason.

Attendance

Thursday's crowd: 2,383.

Series total: 10,615 (three games).

Average per date: 3,538.

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