Overall, it was a very good day for the Blue Jays’ affiliates with a 3-1 record. All three of the upper level teams in action took a win while the DSL Blue Jays lost in extra innings.
Buffalo Bisons 12, Indianapolis Indians 3
Ramon Santiago made his debut in the Blue Jays’ organization and had a very strong first game back, going 2/5 with two RBI while also figuring into a Buffalo triple play. The first triple play of the season in the International League was started by pitcher Randy Wolf who caught a line drive hit back to him. He threw to Santiago covering second who relayed to Daric Barton at first who completed the play. Wolf, who is now beyond his June 1 opt-out date, lowered his ERA to 1.93 with 5 1/3 innings of two-run (one earned) ball, allowing seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Chad Jenkins provided 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while Rob Rasmussen got one out but walked a man and gave up a hit while Luis Perez stranded Rasmussen’s runner but was dinged for a run of his own in the ninth.
That late run by Indianapolis was insignificant thanks to the prodigious offensive output by the Bisons. Leading the 17-hit parade was Matt Hague who pushed his batting average to .353 with three hits including a double in addition to stolen base, a walk and two runs scored. Santiago, Chris Dickerson (2/6, R), Luke Scott (2/5, RBI, BB), Alex Hassan (2/5, 2 R, 2 RBI), Daric Barton (2/4, 3 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB) and A.J. Jimenez (2/4, R, 3 RBI, BB). Dalton Pompey was 1/3 with a triple, two walks, three runs scored and an RBI.
The defense was strong in this one too as Alex Hassan and Chris Dickerson contributed assists from the outfield.
Roster Notes: Todd Redmond accepted his outright assignment to Buffalo and was added to their roster while Austin Bibens-Dirkx was placed on the DL retroactive to May 31.
Player of the Game: Matt Hague, Daric Barton and A.J. Jimenez
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Scheduled Off Day
Roster Notes: Ian Parmley was sent back down to Dunedin.
Dunedin Blue Jays 1, Tampa Yankees 0
In their second consecutive shutout of the Tampa Yankees, the Dunedin Blue Jays reverted to their usual lackluster offense but still garnered a win thanks to a stellar performance by the pitchers. Murphy Smith was the man on the mound, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts for a stellar Game Score of 78. Matt Smoral actually earned the win with one inning of scoreless ball, allowing one hit but striking out the side. Chad Girodo and Justin Shafer combined for the final inning. The hitters chipped in for nine hits with three from Roemon Fields (including a triple and his 18th stolen base) and two from Dickie Joe Thon (including a double). Mitch Nay hit a double and a sac fly to drive in the game’s only run and Matt Dean was 1/3 with a walk.
Roster Notes: Ian Parmley was sent back down from New Hampshire.
Player of the Game: Murphy Smith
Lansing Lugnuts 4, Dayton Dragons 2
In what seems like a pretty messy game from the Dayton Dragons, the Lansing Lugnuts took advantage of three errors to return to their winning ways, beating the Dragons 4-2. Jesus Tinoco went five innings for his first win as a Lugnut, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. The bullpen duo of Andrew Case (2 1/3 IP, 0 H, 1 BB), and Jose Fernandez (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K) combined to finish the game with the lefty Fernandez earning his fourth save.
Thanks to the three Dayton errors the Lugnuts needed just five hits and four walks to finish the win. Chris Carlson was the hero with two hits, a walk and three RBI while Ryan McBroom walked three times. D.J. Davis is continuing his improved season with a 2/4 game, scoring twice and not striking out at all.
Player of the Game: Chris Carlson
DSL Blue Jays 5, DSL Reds 6
The DSL Blue Jays dropped to 0-2 after an 11-inning loss to the Reds. This time, the offense was a little more sprightly, scoring five times on nine hits and three walks. Leading the way was Jesus Severino who made his season debut, returning to the DSL as a 17 year old after a disappointing first professional season. Severino played shortstop and was 3/5 with a run scored. He was, however, pinch run for in the tenth inning which could indicate several things: a) he’s slow, b) he was injured, or c) he was lifted because the club thought 10 innings was enough for his season debut. Sterling Guzman was 2/5 and Francisco Rodriguez (not to be confused with Freddy Rodriguez who will start the season in either the GCL or Bluefield) hit the first home run for the DSL Jays, going 1/4 with a dinger and a walk. Belgian youngster Sam Buelens made his debut, playing defensively in center field at the end of the game.
Guadalupe (Lupe) Chavez made his pro debut with 2 1/3 innings of four-run ball (two were earned), allowing four hits and just one walk with four strikeouts. Elio Silva went 3 2/3 innings, surrendering one run on two hits with two strikeouts while 21-year-old Jairo Rosario showed his experience, going three innings, allowing just one walk and striking out four. Pedro Diaz, in his third DSL season, finished the game, allowing an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit.
Player of the Game: Jesus Severino
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