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By VAN ROSE; Times Leader Sports Writer
Thursday, April 29, 1999     Page: 1B

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Last year, Torey Lovullo and the Buffalo Bisons dominated
the Red Barons, winning 12 of the 15 games between the division rivals.
   
Now, Lovullo plays for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and suddenly the roles are
reversed.
    Lovullo blasted a three-run triple in the top of the sixth inning Wednesday
to lead the Red Barons to a 10-5 come-from-behind victory against his former
teammates. It was Scranton Wilkes-Barre’s fourth consecutive victory,
including three consecutive road wins against Buffalo.
   
The Bisons, who are the defending International League champs, suffered
their sixth consecutive loss at home.
   
“It’s nice to be in the middle of the Scranton lineup and get key hits,”
Lovullo said. “It’s something I did for the last two years at Buffalo.
   
“I’ve got to admit that today it was very special, because we were playing
Buffalo. I don’t bear any hard feelings toward them, because it was my choice
to leave. But it’s really nice to come in here and beat them three times in a
row.”
   
Lovullo, who received his 1998 championship ring prior to Monday night’s
game, said he’s been distracted by all the attention he has received from the
Buffalo news media.
   
“I’ve been a little disappointed in my play during the first two games
here,” Lovullo said. “I think I came into this game a lot more focused. I knew
it was time to concentrate on playing baseball.”
   
The Red Barons took an early 3-0 lead, but the Bisons erupted for five runs
off Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Mike Welch in the bottom of the fourth
inning.
   
The Barons battled back for a 9-5 lead by scoring six runs in the sixth
inning.
   
“We have good chemistry on this team,” Lovullo said. “Every time we step
onto the field, we believe we can win. We know we’re capable of scoring a lot
of runs.
   
“If we fall behind, no one panics because we have the bats to come back.
I’ve played on five Triple-A championship teams, and this team has the look of
a champion.”
   
Lovullo said the Red Barons have a perfect mixture of solid pitching, good
hitting and players who know how to win.
   
“A lot of good things are going to happen this year. You can’t count us out
of any game.”
   
The Red Barons pounded out 15 hits, including a solo home run by catcher
Bobby Estalella. Third baseman Lou Lucca led the attack with three hits.
Lovullo, Lou Frazier, Jon Zuber and Wendell Magee Jr. each had two hits.
   
Lucca made a couple of sterling defensive plays that helped keep the Bisons
at bay.
   
“I expect that of myself,” Lucca said. “I’ve struggled a bit offensively in
previous games, but I know I can help us win with my defense. I got a couple
of great opportunities to do that.”
   
The Red Barons got an outstanding effort from left-hander Billy Brewer, who
relieved starter Welch with one out and two runners on base in the fourth
inning. The Bisons held a 5-3 lead, but Brewer stemmed the tide. He wound up
pitching 3 innings, allowing two hits and no runs.
   
“All my pitches were pretty good and I had good location,” Brewer said.
“This was a nice win because we showed that we don’t fold.”
   
Jeff Manto paced Buffalo with two hits, including a two-run home run that
ignited the Bisons’ fourth-inning outburst.
   
The Red Barons remain first in the division, a half-game ahead of Syracuse.
Wednesday’s loss dropped Buffalo 6 games back.
   
Even so, Lovullo still regards the Bisons as the team to beat.
   
“They’ve got a lineup stacked with power hitters,” Lovullo said. “I’ll be
happy if we finish one game ahead of Buffalo.”
   
Red Barons10
   
Buffalo5