Jay Blue: Alford, Biagini, Case, Guerrero Jr., Larkins, Nunez, Saunders, Woodman

Photo Credit: Jay Blue

August 17, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

With seven games completed on the minor league schedule, the Toronto Blue Jays' affiliates were 2-5 on aggregate, getting wins from triple-A Buffalo and double-A New Hampshire and losses everywhere else.

Buffalo Bisons 4, Indianapolis Indians 1

The Buffalo Bisons got some Canada Power in their 4-1 defeat of the Indianapolis Indians while Joe Biagini had his best outing as a starter in this go-round. Biagini went four innings, striking out four batters and giving up two hits and three walks with no runs. Carlos Ramirez continued his runless streak, throwing two scoreless frames, giving up two hits and striking out one. John Stilson blew the save, giving up a run on two hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two and Leonel Campos got the save, striking out a pair and walking one in 1 2/3 innings.

The offence struggled with starter Tyler Glasnow as he struck out 10 batters but the Bisons scored a pair in the seventh to break the 1-1 tie. Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) added some insurance with his solo home run in the eighth and he finished up with a 2/4 day. Alex Monsalve was 2/3 with a double and an RBI and Dwight Smith Jr. drove in a run and scored, going 1/3 with a double. Rowdy Tellez was 1/4 with a double.

Player of the Game: Michael Saunders and Joe Biagini

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 11, Hartford Yard Goats 5

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats gave plenty of support to starter Thomas Pannone as he picked up his first win with the Fisher Cats as they defeated the Hartford Yard Goats 11-5. Pannone went 5 2/3 innings, giving up a run on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Francisco Rios was charged with four runs (three earned) on three hits (including a home run) and two walks with one strikeout over 2 1/3 innings and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) finished it off, tossing a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and a walk but striking out two.

Lourdes Gurriel drove in three runs, going 2/4 with two runs but also committed two errors at shortstop while Emilio Guerrero drove in a pair, going 2/4 with a double and a run. Gunnar Heidt was 2/2 with a walk, an RBI, a run, a sacrifice fly and a stolen base. Tim Lopes also had two hits, going 2/5 with two stolen bases and a run. Anthony Alford walked three times, going 1/2 with an RBI, two runs and a stolen base and threw a runner out at second base.

Player of the Game: Anthony Alford

Dunedin Blue Jays 4, Palm Beach Cardinals 19

The Dunedin Blue Jays got pulverized by the Palm Beach Cardinals who had 24 hits in a 19-4 loss. Josh DeGraaf look the loss, allowing nine runs in 1 1/3 innings and Philip Walby took a big chunk of damage, allowing another six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Adonys Cardona gave up a run on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings and Zach Jackson struck out five in 1 2/3 innings. Jake Thomas came in to pitch and gave up three unearned runs on three hits in the eighth and Ryan Hissey threw a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) went 2/4 with a home run and three RBI while Cavan Biggio was on twice, going 1/3 with a walk and two runs. Edward Olivares was 1/3 with a walk and a triple. Luke Maile started his rehab, going 0/3 as the DH.

Player of the Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Roster Notes: Luke Maile was assigned to Dunedin for rehab.

Lansing Lugnuts 1, Great Lakes Loons 8

The Lansing Lugnuts were unable to defeat the Great Lakes Loons, losing 8-1. Patrick Murphy started and allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Connor Eller didn't allow a hit but walked five and gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings while Juliandry Higuera stranded the bases loaded and pitched 1 1/3 innings without giving up a run, allowing two hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

J.B. Woodman had three hits, going 3/4 with a double and a run. Javier Hernandez drove in Woodman, going 1/3 with a double, an RBI and a walk.

Player of the Game: J.B. Woodman

Vancouver Canadians 3, Spokane Indians 4

The Vancouver Canadians saw their win streak come to an end, losing 4-3 to the Spokane Indians. The offence had eight hits including a single and a double from Deiferson Barreto. Kacy Clemens was 1/3 with two walks and Bryan Lizardo had the club's only RBI.

Travis Bergen allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Chris Hall tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and Juan Nunez had a strong outing, giving up just one run (to take the loss) without giving up a hit, walking three and striking out six in 5 2/3 innings. Jake Fishman allowed the walk-off win, giving up a hit and letting the inherited runner from Nunez score.

Player of the Game: Juan Nunez

Bluefield Blue Jays 2, Johnson City Cardinals 3

The Bluefield Blue Jays dropped the opener of their series with the Johnson City Cardinals 3-2. Jordan Barrett allowed two runs in his four innings of work, giving up four hits and a walk with three strikeouts while Turner Larkins allowed just one run on four hits while striking out four but still took the loss.

The Blue Jays had just five hits including a double from Kevin Smith while Reilly Johnson was 1/2 with an RBI and two walks.

Player of the Game: Turner Larkins

GCL Blue Jays 2, GCL Phillies 9

The GCL Blue Jays lost again to the GCL Phillies, this time dropping the game 6-2 and losing ground to their divisional rivals in their chase of a playoff spot. The Blue Jays had just six hits including two from D.J. Neal (2/5, 2B, R) and two from Otto Lopez (2/4, R, OF Asst.). Davis Schneider was 1/3 with a walk and two RBI.

Joi Concepcion allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits and three walks over 1 2/3 innings before Anderson Nunez took over and walked four in 1 2/3 innings, allowing two of his three inherited runners to score. Connor Law provided two scoreless innings and Adams Cuevas threw another scoreless frame. Danilo Manzueta surrendered two runs on five hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings and Juan Meza finished the game, giving up two hits in 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts.

Player of the Game: D.J. Neal, Otto Lopez and Davis Schneider

DSL Blue Jays, DSL Reds

Game suspended in the top of the second due to rain.

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