Jay Blue: Alford, Ceciliani, Heidt, Jimenez, Smith, Thomas

Dwight Smith was 3-for-5 with a double and earned Eastern League Player of the Week honors at double-A New Hampshire. 

May 24, 2016 Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
Tuesday night got the Blue Jays farm clubs three wins in four attempts, seeing big games from a former “Catcher of the Future,” a former first-round pick, the club’s top prospect, and one of the brighter pitching lights who’s making his presence known in Lansing.

Buffalo Bisons 7, Columbus Clippers 4
A.J. Jimenez seems to be finding his swing and that has been benefitting the Bisons as they took the opener of their series against the Columbus Clippers 7-4. Despite batting ninth, Jimenez went 2/3 with a walk, a double and a home run, driving in three and scoring twice while throwing out one of three potential base stealers. Dalton Pompey was also on base three times, with a double and two walks while Darrell Ceciliani was 2/3 with two doubles, two walks, two runs and an RBI. Andy Burns (2/5, 2B, R) and Jesus Montero (2/5) both had two hits each. Devon Travis was 1/5 with an RBI.

Roberto Hernandez started and allowed four runs on 11 hits and two walks with a strikeout in five innings. Ben Rowen (1 IP, 1 K), Aaron Loup (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K), Bo Schultz (1 IP), and Dustin Antolin (1 IP, 1 K) each threw a scoreless inning to bring home the win for Buffalo.

Player of the Game: A.J. Jimenez and Darrell Ceciliani

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2, Trenton Thunder 3
Playing their second consecutive one-run game against the Trenton Thunder, the Fisher Cats came out on the wrong side of another game, losing 3-2 in 11 innings. Starter John Anderson was very solid, allowing only one run over six innings, giving up five hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Danny Barnes gave up the second run on three hits and a walk with one strikeout over two innings while Matt Dermody, newly promoted, threw two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out one in his Double-A debut. Brady Dragmire took the loss, giving up a run on two hits in 2/3 of an inning.

Despite nine hits as a club, the Fisher Cats struck out 13 times and scored only twice. Dwight Smith, Jr., yesterday crowned the Eastern League Player of the Week, found his swing again, driving in both runs and going 3/5 with a double. Rowdy Tellez was 2/4 with two doubles and a run while Jon Berti was 2/5 but was caught stealing.

Player of the Game: Dwight Smith, Jr.

Roster Notes: John Stilson was placed on the DL and Matt Dermody was promoted from Dunedin to New Hampshire.

Dunedin Blue Jays 7, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5
Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect Anthony Alford hit his first home run of the season, a solo blast, as part of a five-run seventh inning that vaulted Dunedin into a lead that they never relinquished, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers 7-5. Alford was 2/4 with the homer, and one RBI while scoring twice. Dickie Joe Thon drove in two runs, going 2/2 with a double and a run while Richard Urena was 1/4 with a triple and three RBI. D.J. Davis also had two hits and Jonathan Davis was 1/3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base.

Justin Shafer was the starter, going five innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits (including two home runs) and four walks with three strikeouts. Colton Turner earned the win, striking out three and giving up two hits in two innings while Adonys Cardona gave up a run on a hit and a walk (and a wild pitch) but struck out two in 2/3 of an inning. Carlos Ramirez earned his fifth save of the season, allowing two hits (and allowing one of the two runners Cardona left on base to score) and striking out one over 1 1/3 innings.

Player of the Game: Anthony Alford

Roster Notes: Matt Dermody was promoted to New Hampshire.

Lansing Lugnuts 4, Great Lakes Loons 3
The Lugnuts came up big in the bottom of the ninth, walking one off against the Fort Wayne TinCaps with a 4-3 win. Gunnar Heidt, who has been one of the better Lugnuts with the bat this year, was the hero, getting a single to the second baseman who made a throwing error to allow Lane Thomas to score. Heidt was 2/4 with a double and the RBI. Lane Thomas (who got on via a fielder’s choice) scored three of the Lugnuts’ four runs, stealing two bases and going 1/3 with a walk and an RBI. Ryan Hissey was 2/4 and Josh Almonte was 1/3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Angel Perdomo had another strong game, throwing five innings and giving up three runs (only one was earned) on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Gustavo Pierre allowed a hit and a walk in two innings, striking out one while Daniel Lietz has been vulturing wins, going to 4-0 with two innings of one-hit ball with one strikeout.

Player of the Game: Gunnar Heidt and Lane Thomas

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