With three of the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league teams in action on Tuesday night, they compiled a record of 2-1 with three big prospects on the mound. It’s a very brief report today, mainly because I’m spending a good chunk of Wednesday on the road to Lansing where I’ll take in a couple of games this week.
In Buffalo, Sean Nolin took the hill and was very good for the Bisons against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, only allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters in five and two-thirds innings. Rob Rasmussen made his Buffalo debut while Liam Hendriks got another two scoreless innings in and Ryan Tepera faced the minimum, striking out one in his inning of work.
Juan Francisco continues to hit (in his second game), going 2/4 and Jared Goedert went 4/4 with a double and two RBI. Dan Johnson had a big blow early, going 2/4 with a two-run home run in the first inning.
Blue Jays from Away Player of the Game: Sean Nolin, Jared Goedert
In Reading, PA, Aaron Sanchez took the hill against Jesse Biddle in what was billed as a great pitcher’s matchup. Neither pitcher was oustanding as Sanchez got tagged for two runs in the second inning (including a home run) while the Fisher Cats got to Biddle for four runs over six innings. Trailing 4-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Fightin’ Phils scored one in the seventh off of Casey Lawrence and another run in the eighth off of Tyler Ybarra. Scott Gracey gave up two more in the ninth to lose the game 6-5.
Kenny Wilson hit his first home run of the year, a three run shot, while Jon Berti had a pair of hits and three stolen bases.
Blue Jays from Away Player of the Game: Jon Berti
The Lansing Lugnuts played their home opener yesterday against the Quad Cities River Bandits and had Tom Robson get the start. Robson struggled a bit early, walking four in just two and two-thirds inning but Alonzo Gonzalez picked him up with three and a third shutout innings. While Roberto Espinosa gave up another two runs, Jimmy Cordero picked up the win, finishing the last inning and a third.
Dickie Thon didn’t have a particularly great game with the bat but picked his spot well, getting an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with the win. D.J. Davis hit his first home run of the season (going 2/4) while Dawel Lugo had two hits (including a double) and Matt Dean went 3/4 with an RBI. Santiago Nessy drove in two runs and walked twice.
Blue Jays from Away Player of the Game: Santiago Nessy
April 9 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (3-0)
The Bisons send Ricky Romero to the hill on Wednesday for his first start of the year in the first half of a double header. Marcus Stroman looks to build on his solid first start by going out for the second half.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (2-3)
Deck McGuire looks to build on his strong first start in which he went 5 1/3 innings with just three hits and one walk against, giving up only one unearned run. McGuire goes up against Severino Gonzalez, a 21-year-old righty from Panama. He gave up one run in five innings in his first start of the year.
Dunedin Blue Jays (3-1)
In another double header, Matt Boyd goes one day late after his game yesterday was rained out. Boyd had a very strong start on Opening Day and looks to continue his success. Another successful pitcher was Taylor Cole who starts game two. He goes up against Jose Rosario who gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in four innings in his first start of the season.
Lansing Lugnuts (2-3)
The Lansing Lugnuts host the Quad Cities River Bandits in the second game of their series on Wednesday and send the piggybacking duo of Alberto Tirado and Jairo Labourt to the mound. I’ll be in Lansing to scout these guys first hand and I hope to have the reports on Thursday and Friday.
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All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.