Jay Blue: Almonte, Bichette, Biggio, Dominguez, Espada, Kelly, Loveless

Jay Blue: Josh Almonte, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Matt Dominguez, Jose Espada, Juan Kelly, Derrick Loveless hit a pair of homers for double-A New Hampshire. Photo: Jay Blue. 

    
July 5, 2016 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
The Blue Jays’ minor leaguers almost had a clean sweep on Tuesday, but, with a Vancouver Canadians loss, they had a 7-1 record.

 
Buffalo Bisons 8, Rochester Red Wings 2
The Bisons beat up on former Bison Andrew Albers, slugging 15 hits and winning 8-2. Casey Lawrence was promoted and got the start, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings. Franklin Morales and Bo Schultz threw perfect innings while Colt Hynes gave up a run on three hits in the ninth.

Matt Dominguez led the club with four hits, hitting two doubles and driving in a run. Darrell Ceciliani had three hits, including two doubles, with a walk, two RBI and two runs. Domonic Brown and Alexi Casilla each had two hits including a double.

Player of the Game: Matt Dominguez

Roster Notes: Casey Lawrence was promoted to Buffalo and Luis Hurtado was placed on the DL.

 
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6, Portland Sea Dogs 5
The Fisher Cats won their second consecutive one-run game against the Portland Sea Dogs thanks to a Christian Lopes single which brought in Jason Leblebijian to walk off with the win. Lopes was 2/4 with a walk, an RBI and a run but it was Derrick Loveless who had the biggest day, going 2/3 with two home runs and a walk.

Jason Berken got the start, allowing three runs on seven hits (including a home run) and two walks with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Brady Dragmire also gave up two runs on a home run, over 1 1/3 innings. John Stilson was strong, pitching 2 1/3 innings of perfect baseball, striking out two while Tim Mayza got two batters out to vulture the win.

Player of the Game: Derrick Loveless

Roster Notes: Casey Lawrence was promoted to Buffalo.

 
Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Brevard County Manatees 1
Justin Shafer was strong for Dunedin leading the club to a 6-1 win over the Brevard County Manatees. Shafer went 7 1/3 innings, allowing only one run on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Jose Fernandez finished the eighth inning, allowing two hits in 2/3 of an inning and Adonys Cardona finished the game with a hitless ninth.

Richard Urena is riding a hot streak and went 2/5 with a double while Andy Fermin was 2/4 with a double and two runs. Josh Almonte was 3/4 with a double and four RBI.

Player of the Game: Josh Almonte and Justin Shafer

Lansing Lugnuts 7, Dayton Dragons 3
The Lugnuts scored seven runs over the first two innings and that was enough as they were outhit by the Dayton Dragons but outscored the Dragons 7-3. Juan Kelly hit a three run home run, going 2/4 while Carl Wise was also 2/4 with an RBI.

Tayler Saucedo had a strong start, going six innings and striking out four , giving up two runs on eight hits and a walk. Starlyn Suriel allowed a solo home run among two hits with three strikeouts in two innings and Andrew Case made his first appearance after completing his suspension, striking out one and facing only three batters.

Player of the Game: Juan Kelly

 
Vancouver Canadians 4, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6
The Canadians ruined the Blue Jays’ perfect day, losing their game against the Salem-Keizer Volcancoes 6-4. Juliandry Higuera allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks in four innings while Stuart Holmes allowed another two runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning. Gabe Noyalis struck out four in 1 2/3 innings while Nick Hartman allowed an unearned run in his inning of work. Evan Smith finished the game with a one-run inning in the ninth.

Cavan Biggio pushed his average to .340 with two singles and a walk, driving in a run and scoring twice, adding his first professional stolen base.Christian Williams also had two hits while J.B. Woodmanhad a double, a walk and two RBI. Rodrigo Orozco hit three singles but was caught stealing.

Player of the Game: Cavan Biggio

 
Bluefield Blue Jays 3, Princeton Rays 2
Bluefield scored just enough to beat Princeton 3-2 on Tuesday. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was 2/4 with an RBI and a run while Bradley Jones was 2/4 with a run.

Kyle Weatherly started and went five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with five strikeouts but was still charged with the loss. Jose Espada, piggybacking Weatherly, entered in the sixth inning, allowing two hits but striking out four, recording a save.

Player of the Game: Jose Espada

GCL Blue Jays 8, GCL Braves 7
Featuring a hear-pounding comeback, this game involving the GCL Blue Jays went the way of the home squad, giving the Blue Jays a walk off win. Maximo Castillo was the starter and allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Jairo Rosario finished the fourth inning while Randy Pondler allowed a run on four hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Mitch McKown allowed a run on two walks in 1/3 of an inning and Brayden Bouchey got the win, pitching the ninth inning.

Kevin Vicuna (2/3, 2 R, 2 BB, CS) and Bo Bichette (2/5, 2 R, 2 RBI) each had two hits while David Jacob drove in three.

Player of the Game: Bo Bichette

 
DSL Blue Jays 7, DSL Reds 1
Over in the Dominican Republic, the Blue Jays beat the Reds in Dominican Summer League action. Luis De Los Santos led the way with three hits, going 3/5 with an RBi while Jesus Navarro was 2/4 with a triple and McGregory Contreras was 2/3 with a triple, a walk and an RBI.

Elio Sliva was very strong for the DSL Blue Jays, throwing six one-run innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out eight. Adams Cuevas got the three-inning save, thanks to those three innings of three-hit ball, striking out two.

Player of the Game: Elio Silva

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