Jay Blue: Fields, Harris, Lake, Leblebijian, Lopes, Thon

May 5, 2016 Minor League Report

RHP Jon Harris pitched five scoreless for class-A Lansing scattering six hits and walking one while striking out a pair. Photo: Jay Blue.

By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away
The Blue Jays lower two minor league teams, the Dunedin Blue Jays and Lansing Lugnuts, both came away from Thursday’s action with victories while the upper two teams, the Buffalo Bisons and New Hampshir Fisher Cats, lost their games.

Buffalo Bisons 6, Syracuse Chiefs 14
The Bisons got the short end of the stick in a slugfest with the Syracuse Chiefs, dropping their record to 11-16 after a 14-6 loss. Junior Lake put the “slug” in “slugfest,” going 3/4 with a three-run home run and four RBI total while adding an outfield assist. Andy Burns continues to swing a hot bat, going 3/5 with a double and two RBI. Casey Kotchman was 2/4 with a double while Jio Mier was 1/2 with two walks and a run (but he also committed an error).

Drew Hutchison gave up two home runs in his five innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in five innings. Colt Hynes was the only pitcher who wasn’t charged with any runs (or hits), pitching 1 2/3 innings with one strikeout. Dustin Antolin took the loss (and the blown save), giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk in one inning while Bobby Korecky was charged with another five runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.

Player of the Game: Junior Lake

Roster Notes: Colt Hynes was promoted to Buffalo from New Hampshire, taking the spot of Pat McCoy who went on the 7-day DL. Bobby Korecky was activated from the DL after Jon Berti was sent back down to New Hampshire (with Matt Dominguez coming back from Toronto).

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2, Reading Fightin Phils 4
While their bats are starting to heat up, two runs weren’t enough to overtake the Reading Fightin Phils who doubled the Fisher Cats 4-2 on Thursday. The Fightin Phils made Jeremy Gabryszwski work, as he threw 101 pitches over just 4 1/3 innings, allowing only one run on five hits and two walks. Chris Smith took the loss, giving up three runs of his own after stranding two of Gaby’s runners. He gave up four hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings. Daniel Schlereth had a solid outing, allowing only one hit in 1 1/3 innings while Wil Browning finished the game off with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out one.

The offense scattered eight hits including a pair each from Roemon Fields (2/5, SB, CS) and Christian Lopes (2/3, BB). SHane Opitz (1/4, 2B, R) and K.C. Hobson (1/4, 2B, RBI) each had a double and Matt Dean was 1/3 with an RBI and a walk. Rowdy Tellez was 1/4 with a run and two strikeouts.

Player of the Game: Roemon Fields and Christian Lopes

Roster Notes: Colt Hynes was promoted to Buffalo and Jon Berti was returned from the Bisons. Melky Mesa went on the DL.

Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Daytona Tortugas 3
Blue Jays’ No. 2 prospect Conner Greene got a five-spot behind him and held the Daytona Tortugas to three runs as Dunedin moved their record to 12-14 with a 5-3 win. Greene threw 86 pitches, 55 for strikes, striking out four and walking only one while allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) over six innings. Adonys Cardona continues to throw zeroes at his opponents, walking one and giving up a hit but not allowing a run while Carlos Ramirez gave up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts over two innings for the save.

Jason Leblebijian hit the big blow, opening up the lead with a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. Dickie Joe Thon had two singles and a walk, driving in a pair and scoring one while D.J. Davis hit a double. Anthony Alford got himself a hit, going 1/3 with a walk.

Player of the Game: Jason Leblebijian and Dickie Joe Thon

Roster Notes: Catcher Danny Jansen was placed on the DL and Michael De La Cruz was assigned to Dunedin from extended spring training.

Lansing Lugnuts 1, Quad Cities River Bandits 0
In as bizarre a victory as you might find, the Lugnuts beat the Quad Cities River Bandits despite getting outhit 10-1 to open their series. Starter Jon Harris scattered six hits and a walk over five innings with two strikeouts while Tayler Saucedo had his second excellent outing in a row with three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with one strikeout. Dusty Isaacs finished it for the save with a hit and a walk allowed and one strikeout.

The struggling Josh Almonte had the Lugnuts’ only hit but Carl Wise, Aaron Attaway (who scored the club’s only run) and Lane Thomas had two walks each. Thomas contributed with his arm, throwing out two runners on the bases (from center field) and keeping the River Bandits at bay.

Player of the Game: Jon Harris

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