Dunedin loves look of Loveless
Derrick Loveless had three hits, including a home run as class-A Dunedin doubled up on the Brevard County Manatees. Photo: Jay Blue.
The Blue Jays’ minor league affiliates won three games again on Friday with the first-place Lansing Lugnuts taking the only loss in a close game.
Buffalo Bisons 7, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 6
The Bisons rallied in the top of the ninth to break a 5-5 tie against the IronPigs, scoring twice while holding their opponents to one run for the win. Matt Hague continues to hit like a man on fire for the 11-4 Bisons, going 3/4 with a double, a walk, and two RBI. Ezequiel Carrera was 2/4 with a home run, a walk and three RBI while Andy Burns contributed with a pair of hits and a walk. Jonathan Diaz walked three times, getting on base four times while Andy Wilkins was on three times, going 1/3 with a pair of walks.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx struggled early, allowing four runs on nine hits in his four innings but Preston Guilmet put out the fire for a time, throwing two perfect innings. Steve Delabar allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings despite striking out three and Bo Schultz earned the win after blowing the save with 1 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
Player of the Game: Hague and Carrera
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 10, Binghamton Mets 5
The Fisher Cats got their bats going in a 10-5 victory over the Mets, hitting three home runs and getting a strong start from John Anderson who went five innings of five-hit, two-run ball without walking anyone and striking out five. Greg Burke allowed three runs (two earned) before Cory Burns (2 IP, 2 H), and Danny Barnes (1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) finished off the game.
The Fisher Cats rapped out 14 hits, getting multi-hit games from five starters. Jake Fox went 3/4 with a home run, a double and four RBI while Dwight Smith, Jr. went yard for his second of the year as part of a 3/5 day with three RBI. Ryan Schimpf also hit his second home run of the year, going 2/4 and Kevin Nolan and Jorge Flores had two hits each.
Players of the Game: Fox, Smith, Jr. and Anderson
Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Brevard County Manatees 3
Dunedin finally got back into the win column thanks to a strong bullpen performance and a wakeup call to a couple of sleeping hitters. Murphy Smith got the start and wasn’t bad, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings with four strikeouts. Tiago Da Silva (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Chad Girodo (2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) and Wil Browning (S, 1 IP, 2 K).
The hitters put together 12 hits getting an outstanding game from Derrick Loveless who pushed his batting average up to .273 with three hits including his first home run of the season. Jorge Saez also hit his first home run of the year, going 1/3 with two runs and a walk. Mitch Nay was 2/4 with a double and an RBI and Michael Saunders drove in a pair of runs, going 1/4 with a double and a walk. Roemon Fields had the other multi-hit game with two hits and two stolen bases (getting caught once).
Player of the Game: Loveless
Lansing Lugnuts 5, Bowling Green Hot Rods 6
The Lugnuts went on the road and dropped their first game after their long bus ride to Bowling Green, Kentucky after the seventh inning got away from Justin Shafer and Mark Biggs. Sean Reid-Foley had his first bump in the road, walking four and allowing two runs on three hits in just 1 2/3 innings despite striking out three batters. Justin Shafer went 4 2/3 innings, stranding three runners and allowing just one run on four hits with five strikeouts before Biggs allowed another three runs and taking the loss.
Anthony Alford was 2/5 with a double and two runs scored while Rowdy Tellez was also 2/5 with two RBI. Tim Locasro was 2/4 with two stolen bases to round out the offensive highlights.
Roster Notes: Chase Wellbrock was sent back to extended spring training while Carlos Ramirez returns to the Lugnuts for the first time as a pitcher.
Player of the Game: Shafer
If you like us here, “like” us on Facebook!
Get your 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook now! All the up-to-date information on the Blue Jays minor league system with 250 player profiles, team information and more! You can find it at the BJfA Shop or at our distribution partner, Smashwords.com!
The All-New Blue Jays from Away Premium Content section is here! Combined with the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, it will be your best resource to the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system for just $1.99 per month or $15 for a full year (and get the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook free with a yearly subscription)!
All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2015) and may not be used without permission.