April 15, 2016 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
Three wins and a loss was the tally for the Blue Jays’ minor league teams on Friday night with only the Buffalo Bisons losing a closely contested game on the night.

Buffalo Bisons 1, Rochester Red Wings 2
In a reversal of Thursday night’s score, the Bisons fell to the Rochester Red Wings by a 2-1 score on Friday night. In a brisk, two-hour and twenty-six minute game, the Bisons couldn’t manage to get much offense going against power righty Alex Meyer and the Red Wings. Buffalo’s offense has been anemic this season and only had five hits against Minnesota’s top minor league squad, with Jio Mier knocking in the club’s only run with the team’s only extra-base hit, an RBI double. Dalton Pompey, Alexi Casilla, Jesus Montero and Matt Dominguez had the club’s other four hits.

Wade LeBlanc was solid through six innings, giving up just a solo home run in the first inning before getting into trouble in the seventh. He left the game with runners on second and third and another run came in on a nubber up the third baseline (that hit the bag) against lefty Chad Girodo. For the Bisons, that play, which ultimately scored the winning run, was about as unlucky as it comes. Girodo’s pitch was practically in the dirt and Wilfredo Tovar didn’t get much of the ball that proceeded to roll slowly up the third baseline as Matt Dominguez waited for it go foul. It didn’t and the run scored, charging LeBlanc with two runs in 6 1/3 innings on five hits with just one walk and six strikeouts. Girodo only allowed one other hit and left with two hits against and two strikeouts in two innings. Ben Rowen finished the game with 2/3 of an inning.

Player of the Game: Wade LeBlanc

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7, Trenton Thunder 0
The Fisher Cats ran their record over the .500 mark by whitewashing the Trenton Thunder by a 7-0 score, taking the lead with four runs in the first inning and never looking back. John Anderson was the leader on the mound striking out five and giving up just four hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings before Brady Dragmire stranded two runners in the sixth and went on to pitch a scoreless seventh, walking two and striking out two without giving up a hit. Colt Hynes finished the game with two innings of one-hit, one-walk ball, striking out one.

The Fisher Cats’ offense was spread out with only Ian Parmley failing to get a hit. Roemon Fields had two hits, including a double, scoring twice and stealing a pair of bases. Jon Berti was 1/3 with a triple and a walk, also stealing two bases while Rowdy Tellez as on base four times, going 1/2 with a run, an RBI and three walks. Melky Mesa had a double and a walk, K.C. Hobson was 1/3 with two RBI and two walks, Wilkin Castillo drove in two with a single and Shane Opitz was 1/3 with a walk. Matt Dean also drove in a pair, going 1/4.

Player of the Game: John Anderson

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Palm Beach Cardinals 7
Dunedin took a never say die attidude, despite trailing the Palm Beach Cardinals through most of the game, they tied it in the eighth inning and David Harris scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th to walk off with a win. Justin Shafer was supposed to start for the Blue Jays but lefty Juliandry Higuera, in his first year out of rookie ball, took his place, throwing four innings and allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk. Tom Robson’s nightmare season continued as he came in for 1 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on three hits and two walks before Brad Allen shut the door (despite allowing one of the two runners he inherited from Robson to score). Allen went 2 1/3 innings without giving up a hit and walking two while striking out a pair. Matt Dermody earned the win, giving up a hit and striking out three in two innings.

The offense was also spread out with Richard Urena (2/5, R) and David Harris (2/5, R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, OF assist) getting two hits each and Jonathan Davis (J.D.) contributing with a single, an RBI, a run, three walks and two stolen bases. Ryan McBroom hit a double and took a walk as did D.J. Davis who added an RBI.

Player of the Game: David Harris and Jonathan Davis

Roster Notes: Justin Shafer was placed on the DL retroactive to April 13.

Lansing Lugnuts 7, Bowling Green Hot Rods 2
The Lugnuts got back into the win column on Friday, moving their record to 4-2 on this young season by beating the Bowling Green Hot Rods 7-2. Francisco Rios was on the mound and the 20-year-old Mexican struck out nine batters over 4 2/3 innings, needing 89 pitches and allowing two runs on five hits and a walk. Daniel Lietz had an excellent outing, stranding a runner and allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 innings with two strikeouts, earning the win. Colton Turner finished the game with two perfect innings, striking out a batter.

The offense continued to churn, this time getting two doubles and a walk from Juan Kelly, a pair of RBI from Jacob Anderson and a double (and RBI) from Josh Almonte. While Gunnar Heidt was one of two Lugnuts who didn’t get a hit (Justin Atkinson was the other), he walked twice and stole a base. Andrew Guillotte was also on twice, going 1/5 with a walk.

Player of the Game: Francisco Rios and Juan Kelly

The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available in e-book and print formats! Visit the Handbook page for more information!

Now is a great time to subscribe to the Blue Jays from Away Premium Content Section!

All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2016) and may not be used without permission.