Nick Bellacose

PITTSBURGH, PA ­ Buffalo (11-26) had its three-game winning streak snapped by Pittsburgh (30-12), 4-0, on Saturday night at Trees Field.

Despite the loss, the Bulls got a solid pitching performance from starter Nick Bellacose (Clarence, NY/Clarence) who didn't allowed an earned run and gave up only three hits over five innings. Mark McMahon (West Seneca, NY/Timon/St. Jude) allowed two runs on one hit over three innings of relief.

Pittsburgh scored its first run in the bottom of the inning thanks to two UB errors. The Panthers added another unearned run in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Pittsburgh scored their final two runs in the sixth inning as Tom Cashman hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Bryan Spamer followed with an RBI single that scored Mike Scanzano.

Pittsburgh starter Nick Evangelista pitched eight shutout innings, giving up four hits and striking out seven batters to pick up his eighth win of the season.

Phil Vanhorne (Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa) had two of the Bulls' four hits, including his team-leading ninth double. A double by Clint McKeever (Antwerp, NY/Indian River) and a Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) single rounded out the Bulls' offense.

The two-game series concludes with a single game on Sunday. First pitch is slated for noon.