Jay Blue: Cole, Encina, Loveless, Panas

Derrick Loveless doubled and homered as class-A Dunedin edged Tampa 8-5. Photo: Jay Blue.

Aug. 23 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
The farm was 4-1 on a Sunday that saw regular off days from the two lowest level teams and a rain out in Lansing. Low scores were the norm after some offensive outbursts on Saturday.

Buffalo Bisons 0, Syracuse Chiefs 3
Drew Hutchison was the main attraction for the Buffalo Bisons as he got a short start (71 pitches) in for The Herd while he’s waiting for the the call back up to Toronto to rejoin the rotation. Hutchison wasn’t entirely sharp, walking three and allowing a home run as he gave up two runs in four innings but with four strikeouts. Andrew Albers pitched two scoreless innings and Bobby Korecky gave up the Chiefs’ third run in the seventh inning. Ryan Tepera (1 IP, 1 K) and Steve Delabar (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) finished the game.

Without Matt Hague, the offense has gone to sleep and only had two hits (from Ty Kelly and Caleb Gindl) the entire game.

Roster Notes: Josh Thole was called up from Buffalo and Matt Hague was sent to Buffalo in his place.

Player of the Game: None

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Binghamton Mets 3
Taylor Cole put together an excellent start for the Fisher Cats and, although he gave up another home run, he only allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts through eight innings. Danny Barnes allowed the last Binghamton run, earning the save.

Four Fisher Cats contributed with two hits each including Dwight Smith, Jr. (2/4, 2B, RBI), Derrick Chung (2/4, R), Shane Opitz (2/3, 3B, RBI, R) and Jorge Flores (2/3, R). Emilio Guerrero and Roemon Fields both drove home a run with a double.

Player of the Game: Cole

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Tampa Yankees 5
The Blue Jays got some big offense on the backs of four players as they beat Tampa to open their series on Sunday. Jason Leblebijian led the hit parade with two doubles and a single, adding a walk and driving in four runs. Derrick Loveless was 2/3 with two walks, a double and a home run, driving in two and scoring twice. Matt Dean was also on base four times, going 2/3 with a double, two walks, an RBI and two runs. L.B. Dantzler scored twice, going 2/4 with a double and a walk, driving in a run.

Alonzo Gonzalez had four good innings, fighting through six hits and two walks without giving up a run. Griffin Murphy allowed two runs in two inninsg while Brady Dragmire allowed three runs in 2 2/3, striking out four while Wil Browning finished the game with his 20th save, getting the final batter to fly out.

Player of the Game: Loveless

Lansing Lugnuts, Bowling Green Hot Rods
Game postponed due to rain.

While the game was started, it didn’t reach official game status (five complete innings since the Lugnuts were down 3-1). I’m assuming that since it wasn’t tied, the game will be replayed from the beginning if it’s made up. Jon Wandling threw 4 2/3 innings and Ryan McBroom hit a big home run.

Vancouver Canadians 7, Boise Hawks 2
The Canadians have strung two highly-powered offensive games together, getting more fireworks from Toronto-native Connor Panas who hit his third home run in the last two games. Panas was 3/3 with a single, a double and a home run, driving in three and scoring three. Ryan Metzler 92/4, RBI, R), Justin Atkinson (2/3, BB, R, RBI), Ryan Hissey (2/3, RBI) and Sean Hurley (2/4) all had two hits.

Francisco Rios made the start, walking four in four innings but only giving up one run and striking out three. Brandon Hinkle went four innings, allowing one run on a solo home run among two hits and a walk and striking out four. Stuart Holmes finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

Player of the Game: Panas

Bluefield Blue Jays 1, Pulaski Yankees 0
It was all pitching in Pulaski as the Blue Jays blanked the Yankees, only scoring one run themselves. Geno Encina went five scoreless innings, giving up four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Matt Smoral went 1 1/3 innings, walking only one and giving up one hit with two strikeouts. Zach Rodgers (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and Tyler Burden (S, 1 IP, 2 K) finished the game, continuing the trend of each pitcher striking out two batters. Despite only three hits, the Blue Jays managed to win. Rodrigo Orozco was 1/3 with the only RBI.

Player of the Game: Encina

GCL Blue Jays
Scheduled off day

DSL Blue Jays
Scheduled off day

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