The Jays had an historic comeback last night, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 14-9 after being down by eight runs early in the game. The minor league teams didn’t do anything so dramatic but there were a few good stories . . .
Buffalo Bisons 5, Rochester Red Wings 3
They may have been late but the bats came around for the Buffalo Bisons to get Aaron Sanchez off the hook for the loss and to make a winner of John Stilson. Sanchez continued to struggle, walking four batters and striking out four in five innings, allowing three runs (two earned). Luis Ayala, Stilson and Ryan Tepera (getting his first save of the year), combined to strike out six in the remaining four innings without allowing any more runs. Jonathan Diaz (yes, that Jonathan Diaz) hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning. He also drove in another run and walked twice, going 1/2 with four RBI. Hector Gimenez also had two hits and two walks.
Player of the Game: Jonathan Diaz
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5, Trenton Thunder 8
In the wake of the Fisher Cats/Curve brawl the other day, two players for our side were suspended with three-gamers going to RHP Dustin Antolin and 1B K.C. Hobson. As far as yesterday’s game went, the Fisher Cats got out to a 5-1 lead after 2 1/2 innings but the Trenton Thunder kept chipping away until they eventually took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Scott Copeland was somewhat shaky, allowing four runs (two earned) in 5 1/3 innings on seven hits and three walks. Scott Gracey couldn’t hold on the lead, allowing four more runs (three earned). Notice the unearned runs; the Fisher Cats made three errors, one by Andy Burns and two by normally sure-handed shortstop Kevin Nolan. Burns had a great game at the plate, going 3/4 with a double. Mike McDade didn’t register a hit but drove in two runs and Mike Crouse was 1/4 with a two-RBI double.
Player of the Game: Andy Burns
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Clearwater Threshers 6
The D-Jays got hit hard early and the offense couldn’t complete a come back, getting to within one. Jesse Hernandez allowed five runs over four innings and Chad Girodo allowed the other one in three innings of work. The bottom of the order did a lot of the heavy lifting for the offense with all five runs getting driven in by Jorge Saez (1/3, RBI), Gustavo Pierre (2/4, RBI) and Christian Lopes (2/4, HR, 3 RBI).
Player of the Game: Christian Lopes
Lansing Lugnuts 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods 3
Frank Viola III made his third start and kept things rolling, picking up the win by allowing just two runs on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings. The bullpen allowed just one more run as the club cruised to the victory. The offense registered 14 hits including three by Dawel Lugo (3/4, 2 2B, 2 RBI), two by Derrick Loveless (2/2, HR, 2 BB, 3 RBI), Daniel Klein (2/3, 2B), Matt Dean (2/5), Justin Atkinson (2/3) and Dickie Joe Thon (2/5). Only D.J. Davis and Mitch Nay failed to get a hit.
Player of the Game: Derrick Loveless
Vancouver Canadians 3, Spokane Indians 7
In the completion of Thursday’s rain shortened game, the Canadians fell to the Indians. Jairo Labourt started and pitched a solid first inning but couldn’t keep runners off the bases in the second. Andrew Case came in and allowed both men to score when the game was completed but was generally fairly solid through his four innings. Justin Shafer allowed four runs of his own in his professional debut and Francisco Gracesqui got through 2 1/3 scoreless innings to finish the game. For the hitters, Franklin Barreto continues to churn through the Northwest League, going 2/4 with a double. Jonathan Davis went 2/4 with a double of his own.
Roster Notes: The Canadians added a few newly signed draftees, getting RHP Justin Shafer, 1B Ryan McBroom, 2B Ryan Metzler and OF Chris Carlson. They also received Yeyfry Del Rosario from the Lansing Lugnuts.
Player of the Game: Franklin Barreto and Jonathan Davis
Vancouver Canadians 3, Spokane Indians 0
The Canadians handed the Spokane club their first loss of the season, getting some stellar work from young Dominican Miguel Castro. Castro went six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and one walk with three strikeouts while Brett Barber finished it off, getting the save. The C’s only had five hits: one from each of the first five hitters in the order: Roemon Fields, Jonathan Davis, Franklin Barreto (a double), Ryan McBroom and Boomer Collins (also a double).
Player of the Game: Miguel Castro
Bluefield Blue Jays 4, Johnson City Cardinals 1
Ryan Borucki, making his first pro appearance since 2012, had himself a good old time in Bluefield, scattering six hits and getting dinged for the club’s only run (unearned) in four innings of work, striking out two. Conor Fisk and Chase Mallard made their pro debuts, both throwing multiple scoreless innings for the Blue Jays. Josh Almonte led the charge, going 2/4 with an RBI while Rowdy Tellez drove in a pair with a hit and a sacrifice fly. Anthony Alford was on base twice with a hit and a walk.
Player of the Game: Ryan Borucki
GCL Blue Jays 3, GCL Phillies 7
The GCL Blue Jays dropped their first game of the year with Jacob Brentz getting hit hard, lasting just 2/3 of an inning and giving up four runs on three hits and two walks (with a wild pitch for good measure). Francis Eduardo gave up another two runs in 2 1/3 innings but Conner Greene was the stopper, shutting things down over five scoreless innings, walking one and allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Evan Smith was tagged for an unearned run in the ninth.
As far as the hitters went, Cliff Brantley had a memorable first day as a pro. The 2014 draftee went 3/4 but was caught stealing. Lane Thomas also had a great day, going 2/4 in his first game as a professional, playing center field but it was Juan Tejada, the DH today, who was a triple short of the cycle, going 3/4 and driving in three runs who had the best game.
Player of the Game: Conner Greene and Juan Tejada
DSL Blue Jays 4, DSL Rangers1 24
Yes folks, that’s not a misprint. The DSL Blue Jays lost 24-4 yesterday. I’m not even going to talk about the pitching. Go to MiLB.com yourselves and read about it. As far s the hitting goes, Enmanuel Moreta went 3/4 with a double and two runs while Rodrigo Orozco continues to hit well, getting a single and a double.
Player of the Game: Enmanuel Moreta
June 21 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (35-36)
The Buffalo Bisons play a double header to make up a game that was postponed back in April and will send Raul Valdes to the hill for a spot start at 5:35 PM ET against Trevor May who has been one of the best pitchers in the International League this year. In the second half of the double-header, Rochester sends Opening-Day starter Scott Diamond to the hill against Deck McGuire.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (30-42)
Radhames Liz takes the mound for a 7:05 PM start (on MiLB TV) for the Fisher Cats as they face Bryan Mitchell (1-5, 5.44 ERA) for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder.
Dunedin Blue Jays (47-24)
For the D-Jays, it’s Kendall Graveman (5-3, 3.24 ERA) against Jorge Lopez of the Brevard County Manatees at 6:30 PM. Lopez has been excellent with a 7-2 record and 2.69 ERA.
Lansing Lugnuts (33-38)
The Lugnuts continue their series against Bowling Green with Chase De Jong (0-4, 4.73 ERA) facing Chris Kirsch (3-5, 3.78 ERA) at 7:05 PM.
Vancouver Canadians (4-4)
Vancouver has Zakery Wasilewski on the mound against Brent Jones of the Hillsboro Hops. Wasilewski gave up just one run in five innings in his first start of the season. This game is a 10:05 PM ET start.
Bluefield Blue Jays (1-1)
The Bluefield Blue Jays have a morning game at 11:05 AM with an unnamed starter facing the Johnson City Cardinals.
Don’t forget about the GCL and DSL Blue Jays who are also active today playing in the morning.
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!
All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.