And we have a Florida State League North Division First Half champion: the Dunedin Blue Jays! They clinched tonight, sweeping a double header but we’ll get to that shortly. First we start at the top.
Buffalo Bisons 0, Toledo Mud Hens 11
The Bisons couldn’t muster any offense on Thursday, losing 11-0 to the Toledo Mud Hens. Sean Nolin got the start and allowed four runs over three innings on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. The relief corps was taxed with two solid innings from Raul Valdes but Mike Zagurski had his second consecutive poor outing, going 2/3 of an inning, allowing three runs on a hit and two walks. Luis Ayala allowed six hits in 1 1/3 innings and four runners came in to score (three earned). Rob Rasmussen threw a perfect eighth inning. On offense, A.J. Jimenez, Melky Mesa and Ryan Goins had two hits each with Mesa hitting the only extra-base hit, a double. Colby Rasmus was 1/3 with a walk in a rehab start.
Roster Notes: There were a lot of roster moves coming from the Bisons (see my article from yesterday). To summarize, Aaron Sanchez and Melky Mesa were promoted, Kenny Wilson and Gregory Infante were demoted, Ryan Rowland-Smith was released and Matt Tuiasosopo was traded.
Player of the Game: Melky Mesa
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3, Bowie Baysox 8
Despite three solo home runs for the Fisher Cats, the pitching staff couldn’t hold the Bowie Baysox off the board and the club lost another game. Sergio Santos allowed a solo home run in his inning of work, rehabbing for the Toronto Blue Jays but that was the only hit he allowed. Richard Bleier took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings on ten hits. Blake McFarland allowed a run and both Gregory Infante and Tyler Ybarra got through their innings without allowing a run. On offense, Ryan Schimpf had the hot bat, hitting his 13th and 14th home runs of the season while Jack Murphy went 1/3 with a solo shot (his second). Mike McDade went 2/4 and so did Matt Newman.
Roster Notes: Aaron Sanchez and Melky Mesa were promoted and Kenny Wilson and Gregory Infante came back down to Double-A.
Player of the Game: Ryan Schimpf
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Daytona Cubs 1
Despite losing a no-hitter in the sixth inning of a seven-inning game, lefty Matt Boyd picked up his fifth win in the clinching game for the first half division championship for the Dunedin Blue Jays. With a final line that had seven innings pitched, just two hits (including a solo home run), one run, two walks and three strikeouts, Matt Boyd got the job done. The batters made sure to get enough offense, with Marcus Knecht driving in three with a home run and a double. K.C. Hobson also hit a home run (putting him in the team lead with seven) and Dwight Smith went 2/4.
Player of the Game: Matt Boyd and Marcus Knecht
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Daytona Cubs 2
In Game 2 of the double-header, Daniel Norris took to the mound and added another five scoreless, one-hit innings to his season’s resume, walking two and striking out three. Tony Davis was charged with the Cubs’ only two runs over 2/3 of an inning while Wil Browning and Danny Barnes finished the game off. Dalton Pompey was on base twice and terrorized on the bases, stealing two bases and scoring twice in a 2/3 game. Marcus Knecht hit another home run, going 1/2 with a two-run blast and a sac fly.
Player of the Game: Daniel Norris, Marcus Knecht and Dalton Pompey
Lansing Lugnuts 2, Fort Wayne TinCaps 7
Matt Dermody did not have his best stuff on Thursday, getting rocked to the tune of seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks over five innings. Adaric Kelly threw two scoreless innings and Roberto Espinosa handled the last one. Matt Dean continues to swing a hot bat, bringing his season average up to .320 after a 3/5 game that included a double. Chaz Frank and Dickie Joe Thon each had two-hit games with Thon adding a walk. Mitch Nay hasn’t played in a couple of days which makes one wonder about health . . .
Player of the Game: Matt Dean
DSL Blue Jays 2, DSL Braves 5
The DSL Jays only had three hits against the Braves and Bryan Lizardo had the club’s only double, going 1/3 with a walk. Eddy Alcantara drove in the only RBI and went 1/2 with a walk. The Jays only used two pitchers. Denis Diaz started and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts in four innings. Luis Sanchez allowed two runs (none earned) in five innings on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Player of the Game: Luis Sanchez
June 13 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (31-32)
For game two of their series against the Toledo Mud Hens, the Bisons haven’t announced their starter. There’s been a slight reshuffling of their rotation with the demotion of Radhames Liz and the promotion of Aaron Sanchez but my money would be on Kyle Drabek getting the ball for the Bisons. Whoever it is will face Derek Hankins for the Mud Hens. This game will be on MiLB TV at 7:00 PM ET.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (27-38)
Austin Bibens-Dirkx takes the hill for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats as they move on to their next stop on their road trip and face the San Francisco Giants’ Double-A team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels. While Bibens-Dirkx has been very strong for the Fisher Cats (and Bisons), the Fisher Cats will face Kyle Crick, one of the Giants’ top prospects. He’s 4-1 with a 3.46 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 27 walks in 39 innings. Catch this one on the radio at 7:05 PM ET.
Dunedin Blue Jays (46-20)
On All-Star Break
Lansing Lugnuts (31-35)
Shane Dawson starts for the Lansing Lugnuts as they head to Midland, Michigan to play the Great Lakes Loons at the beautiful Dow Diamond (if you have a chance, you should check it out). Dawson faces Dodgers’ prospect Zachary Bird who is still just 19 years old and has probably pitched a little better than his 3-8 record and 4.50 ERA has indicated. This game starts at 7:05 PM ET.
Vancouver Canadians (—)
Alberto Tirado is scheduled to start the Vancouver Canadians’ first game of the season against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Tirado struggled out of the gate with the Lansing Lugnuts, walking 39 batters and striking out 40 in 40 innings of work with a 6.30 ERA. The 19 year old will get a restart to his season out in Vancouver. This game goes at 9;35 PM ET.
Who are these players? Find out in The 2014 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, now available as an ebook at Smashwords.com for $7.99 US. It’s coming soon to Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo and other fine retailers. You can purchase and preview the book at our Smashwords.com page! If you like us here,“like” us on Facebook!
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