Thanks to the Mother’s Day holiday (or just a quirk of the schedule), only two Blue Jays’ minor league affiliates played but both won their games. With the DFAing of Chris Getz, the Blue Jays decided to strike back against the Minnesota Twins and claimed outfielder Kenny Wilson back on waivers. He’ll be assigned back to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Buffalo Bisons 8, Charlotte Knights 4
Liam Hendriks had his worst start of the year but still picked up his fifth win, going six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk (including a home run) and four strikeouts. That blip raised his ERA to just 1.51 on the season. Ryan Tepera, Neil Wagner (activated off of the DL) and Bobby Korecky each threw an innings of shutout ball. The offense was in high gear with Jared Goedert hitting two home runs, scoring twice and driving in four runs. Dan Johnson hit his team-leading sixth blast while Anthony Gose hit his second, went 2/5 and stole two bases.
Player of the Game: Jared Goedert
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 12, Portland SeaDogs 13
In a see-saw game, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats ended up coughing up a lead in the bottom of the ninth as the SeaDogs scored four to win the game. Matt Boyd only lasted into the second inning, giving up five runs on six hits and four walks in just 1 2/3 innings while Randy Boone was pretty decent in relief. Richard Bleier gave up three while Tony Davis and Dustin Antolin allowed the final four runs between the two of them. The offense, on the other hand, had a very good day with all of the starters getting at least one hit. Jon Berti was a double short of the cycle as he went 3/6 with a single, triple and a home run and stole his 15th base of the year. A.J. Jimenez went 4/5 with three doubles and Andy Burns, Brad Glenn, Michael Crouse, Gabe Jacobo and Brian Van Kirk all had two hits.
Player of the Game: A.J. Jimenez
May 12 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (20-14)
Before finishing with the Charlotte Knights, the Buffalo Bisons play one more game, sending Shawn Hill to the mound for his second Buffalo start against Erik Johnson who has been outstanding since being demoted to Charlotte from the White Sox. In 13 innings, Johnson has a 1.38 ERA with just eight hits and two walks while striking out 10. This is a 12:05 PM ET start on MiLB TV.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (15-20)
The Fisher Cats return home for a 5:35 PM start against the Reading Fightin’ Phils. The Fisher Cats haven’t announced their starter but Hoby Milner, a 23-year-old lefty, will take the hill for the Phils. In five starts this year, Milner has a 5.19 ERA, 27 hits and 11 walks in 26 innings with 15 strikeouts.
Dunedin Blue Jays (26-9)
The D-Jays travel to Palm Beach to take on the Cardinals for the first time this year. While the Cardinals haven’t announced their starter, Kendall Graveman will go for the D-Jays. While Graveman has an 0-1 record for Dunedin, his peripheral numbers are actually pretty good with nine strikeouts and just one walk in 10 innings.
Lansing Lugnuts (17-18)
The Lugnuts took advantage of their Mother’s Day by making one of their longest road trips that they have to Bowling Green, Kentucky to face the Hot Rods. Alberto Tirado goes for the Lugnuts (probably to be followed by Shane Dawson) and the hitters will face Jacob Faria, a 20-year-old righty from California. Faria has a 1.67 ERA with an outstanding 0.77 WHIP in 32 1/3 innings with just six walks and 27 strikeouts. A 19-year-old Dominican, Tirado has a very respectable 2.74 ERA but a very high 1.78 WHIP, mainly on the back of 21 walks in 23 innings pitched.
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All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.