Jay Blue: Berti, Diamond, Guillotte, Lopes

Jon Berti hit a game-winning, three-run homer to give double-A New Hampshire a win. Photo: Jay Blue.

April 24, 2016 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
Sunday had two narrow wins for the Blue Jays’ affiliates, for the Fisher Cats and the Dunedin Blue Jays, while the Buffalo Bisons and Lansing Lugnuts lost in their action.

Buffalo Bisons 3, Rochester Red Wings 6
Scott Diamond just couldn’t get his bullpen to hold on for him: after six outstanding innings, the Bisons’ bullpen allowed six runs to the Rochester Red Wings for a 6-3 loss. Diamond went six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and a walk with four strikeouts but Ben Rowen allowed a run in the seventh, getting just one out before leaving Ryan Tepera to strand a runner. Tepera himself was victimized for five runs in the eighth, giving up six hits and a walk before leaving with two outs in the inning and a runner on, whom Bobby Korekcy stranded, finishing the game for the Bisons with a strikeout.

The offense, which this year has run mostly cold but occasionally red hot, was cold, getting just six hits including a single and a double from Jesus Montero who scored a run. David Adams was 1/4 with two RBI while Matt Dominguez was 1/3 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI.

Player of the Game: Scott Diamond

Roster Notes: Lefty Chad Girodo was optioned back to Buffalo and Drew Hutchison was promoted for his spot start on Sunday.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6, Reading Fightin Phils 5
The Fisher Cats started off anemically, falling behind 5-1 but a ninth inning rally pushed them past the Reading Fightin Phils for a come-from-behind 6-5 win on Sunday. Starter Jeremy Gabryszewski scattered five runs on seven hits and four walks in six innings, allowing two home runs but Danny Barnes (W, 2 IP, 2 H, 1 K), and Wil Browning (S, 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) shut the door, allowing the Fisher Cats to win the game.

Jon Berti was the hero in the ninth. After the Fisher Cats had already scored two runs on a Shane Opitz sac fly and an Ian Parmley RBI single, Dwight Smith singled and Roemon Fields grounded out to put runners on second and third. Berti followed with a home run to right field, giving the Fisher Cats the lead and giving him a 2/4 day with the home run, three RBIs and a run. Fields was 2/4 with a walk and a stolen base.

Player of the Game: Jon Berti

Dunedin Blue Jays 7, Lakeland Flying Tigers 6
The DJays bumped their record to 11-7 with a nailbiter victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers, holding on to win 7-6 despite being outhit by the Detroit Tigers’ Advanced-A farm club. Tom Robson had another rough start, walking six  and giving up two runs (one earned) over 3 1/2 innings. Alonzo Gonzalez was solid, allowing  run on two hits (including a solo home run) and two walks over three innings with two strikeouts while Chris Rowley stranded the bases loaded but was charged with three runs of his own in one inning of work. Jose Fernandez walked two in 1/3 of an inning, allowing one of Rowley’s two inherited runners to score while Carlos Ramirez finished the game with a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two for the save.

The Blue Jays’ offense kicked into gear starting in the fifth and, despite getting only five hits, the hitters walked 10 times. Christian Lopes hit the club’s only home run, going 2/4 with four RBI and a run while Ryan McBroom walked twice with a single, an RBI and a run. Jonathan Davis and Danny Jansen also walked twice with Jansen picking up an RBI and two runs while David Harris was 1/3 with a walk and two runs. Michael Bourn was 1/4 with a walk and an RBI.

Player of the Game: Christian Lopes

Lansing Lugnuts 5, Lake County Captains 11
After allowing the Lake County Captains to score 12 runs on Saturday, the Lugnuts’ pitchers surrendered 11 more on Sunday as they fell 11-5. Starter Tayler Saucedo took the entire offensive onslaught, allowing all 11 runs (eight earned) on eight hits (including two home runs) with three walks over 2 1/3 innings. Conor Fisk pitched 2 2/3 strong innings in relief, giving up just two hits while striking out four. Starlyn Suriel (2 IP), Dusty Isaacs (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Colton Turner (1 IP, 2 H) finished the game for the Lugnuts. Turner has yet to give up a run in seven innings this season.

For the hitters, it was Andrew Guillotte who had the best day, going 3/4 with his first home run of the year, driving in a pair, taking a walk and scoring once. Josh Almonte was 2/4 with a triple, a run and an RBI while Juan Kelly also went deep, going 1/4 with his solo shot.

Player of the Game: Andrew Guillotte

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