April 8, 2016 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
LANSING, Mich. _ Fortunately, minor league baseball in the north was able to begin on Friday night while here in Lansing, the weather continued to be a major factor, cancelling the scheduled double header that was to make up for the cancellation of Thursday’s season opener.

Buffalo Bisons 0, Pawtucket Red Sox 2
The Bisons’ bats started off cold as the Pawtucket Red Sox took advantage of four hits to score twice and beat the Bisons by a 2-0 score. The visitors wasted a tremendous season-opening start by Drew Hutchison who went five innings, giving up one hit and two walks and one of the Paw Sox’ runs to take the loss but he struck out nine batters, throwing 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes. Ben Rowen followed with an innings of scoreless (but nerve-wracking) relief, giving up a hit and two walks but striking out the side and Dustin Antolin struck out four but gave up a home run in his Triple-A debut of two innings.

Collectively, the Bisons had just three hits, singles from Jesus Montero, Casey Kotchman and Jio Mier.

Player of the Game: Drew Hutchison

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1, Binghamton Mets 2
In another close loss for a Jays’ affiliate, the Fisher Cats mustered only three hits, including a solo home run by Melky Mesa (who was 1/3 with a walk and a stolen base), despite a strong start by Jeremy Gabryszwski. In addition to Mesa’s homer, Roemon Fields was 1/4 with two stolen bases and Jorge Flores was 1/3 while Jon Berti walked twice.

On the mound, Gabryszwski impressed in his Double-A debut, giving up just one run on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Brady Dragmire allowed just a hit in his 1 1/3 innings and Colt Hynes allowed the second run on three hits in his inning of work.

Player of the Game: Jeremy Gabryszwski

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Clearwater Threshers 3
Despite a rocky start from B.C. native Tom Robson, Dunedin overcame a slight deficit to pile up the hits against the Clearwater Threshers and bring home a win for the second consecutive night. Leading the offense was second baseman Christian Lopes who was 2/4 with a triple, a home run and two walks, driving in four and scoring twice. Richard Urena (2/5, RBI, PO, CS), Ryan McBroom 92/5), David Harris, (2/5, RBI) and D.J. Davis (2/5, 2 R) had two hits each while Danny Jansen (1/3, 2 BB, 2 R), Derrick Loveless (1/3, 2 RBI, R) and Dickie Joe Thon ( 1/3, BB, R) each had a hit.

Throwing 38 pitches in the first inning, Robson gave up just two runs but didn’t have his control, walking three batters and giving up two soft hits and striking out a pair. Alonzo Gonzalez came in for three innings of scoreless relief despite two hits and three walks allowed (with two strikeouts) while Brad Allen allowed three hits and a walk but no runs and struck out two batters of his own. Jose Fernandez didn’t give up a hit but allowed a run on three walks and a wild pitch and Chris Rowley made his return to professional baseball by throwing a scoreless inning, allowing two hits.

Player of the Game: Christian Lopes

Lansing Lugnuts, Great Lakes Loons
Postponed due to snow

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