Only two games were played in the Blue Jays’ minor league system thanks to some inclement weather tearing through the northern parts of the US but the two that were played had positive results.
In Manchester, New Hampshire, Deck McGuire had another solid start, for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, giving up just two runs on four hits and no walks and striking out three in six innings to earn his second win of the year and his 18th as a Fisher Cat, setting a franchise record for wins. Tyler Ybarra threw two shutout innings and Gregory Infante earned his first save with a 1-2-3- inning in the ninth. While the offense was mostly quiet, Ryan Schimpf unloaded with his third home run of the season in a 2/2 day.
Blue Jays from Away Player of the Game: Ryan Schimpf
The Dunedin Blue Jays pushed their record to 9-2 by defeating the Daytona Cubs 1-0 thanks to some great pitching. Matt Boyd continues to be lights out for the D-Jays, picking up his third win in as many starts and throwing another five shutout innings, giving up just five hits and one walk and striking out seven. Boyd has now thrown 17 shutout innings with a WHIP under 1.00 and 16 strikeouts. Efrain Nieves threw three scoreless innings and Arik SIkula struck out the side in the ninth to pick up the save (despite putting two Cubs on with walks). The offense was quiet with only three hits for the entire game. Matt Newman is now hitting .400 on the season thanks to his RBI single.
Blue Jays from Away Player of the Game: Matt Boyd
April 15 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (6-3)
With snow continuing to fall in Toronto at the time of this writing, the Buffalo Bisons’ potential double header to make up yesterday’s rained out game is in jeopardy of being played. If they do go, we’ll have Marcus Stroman set to throw the first (seven-inning) game at 5:05 pm and Ricky Romero set to go upon the completion of game one. We’ll cross our fingers to get this one in. Both games will be on MiLB TV if they’re played.
UPDATE: No baseball in Buffalo today. The snow has forced the double header to be cancelled. According to a tweet from the club, there will be one game on Wednesday at 6:05 PM and a double header starting at 12:05 ET on Thursday.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (4-7)
The Fisher Cats, fresh off a win that stopped their losing skid, send minor league veteran Austin Bibens-Dirkx to the mound. He’s had one good start and one not so good one and has an 0-1 record with a 4.15 ERA. He faces 23-year-old D.J. Baxendale of the Minnesota Twins affiliated New Britain Rock Cats. Baxendale has yet to put up an ERA under 5.50 in his time in Double-A, stretching back to 16 starts at the level last year. The game is at 5:35 PM ET.
Dunedin Blue Jays (9-2)
The red hot Dunedin Blue Jays send Taylor Cole to the mound for a 6:30 (ET) start against Jose Rosario and the Daytona Cubs. Rosario gave up two runs (one earned) in five innings against Dunedin in his last start and took the loss. Cole, starting against Rosario in his last start was solid, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings but struck out nine batters, walking just one.
Lansing Lugnuts (3-7)
The Lugnuts will play a 6:05 ET game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and will send Alberto Tirado to the mound to start. I’m not sure whether Jairo Labourt will make an appearance as he may have gotten his work done indoors thanks to the game’s cancellation. This game will be broadcast on MiLB TV for any subscribers out there.
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All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.