Jay Blue: Bichette, Espada, Jimenez, Kirwer, Lopes, Murphy, Panas, Pompey, Romano

Jose Espada tossed six shutout innings for the class-A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians on Friday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

July 27, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

There were two doubleheaders on the schedule on Friday with the triple-A Bisons losing both of their games and the GCL Blue Jays splitting their twin bill. Overall, the Blue Jays' affiliates were 5-5 in 10 games.

Buffalo Bisons 3, Indianapolis Indians 4

Despite a strong start from Murphy Smith, who wasn't originally scheduled to start this one, the Buffalo Bisons lost 4-3 to the Indianapolis Indians in Game 1 of their doubleheader. Rowdy Tellez continues to show signs of life, bringing his batting average up to .270 with a 2-for-3 game that featured two doubles, a sacrifice fly, an RBI and a run. Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) was 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in the leadoff spot and Richard Urena was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Anthony Alford was hit in the head in his first at bat and came out of the game.

Murphy Smith went five innings, giving up just one run on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts and Danny Barnes took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits (including a home run) with three strikeouts in the sixth.

L: Danny Barnes (0-1)

Roster Notes: Gunnar Heidt was activated off the temporarily inactive list and Danny Barnes had his rehab assignment switched to Buffalo.

Player of the Game: Murphy Smith and Rowdy Tellez

Buffalo Bisons 3, Indianapolis Indians 6

The Indianapolis Indians completed their sweep of the doubleheader by beating the Buffalo Bisons 6-3, scoring their six runs over the final two innings.

Sean Reid-Foley started by throwing five scoreless innings but allowed three runs in the sixth, getting one out before coming out of the game. He allowed eight hits and didn't walk anyone, striking out two over 5 1/3 innings. Tim Mayza allowed one of two inherited runners to score and was charged with three runs of his own in 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Taylor Guerrieri gave up a hit that allowed his inherited runner to score but got the final out of the game.

Danny Jansen was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, scoring a run while Tim Lopes was 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Darnell Sweeney drove in a run, going 1-for-3 with Jonathan Davis was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

L: Tim Mayza (3-2)

Player of the Game: Tim Lopes and Danny Jansen

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3, Hartford Yard Goats 1

It was a day for the stars of the double-A Fisher Cats to shine as they defeated the Hartford Yard Goats on the backs of three solo home runs and a strong pitching performances from Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) in a 3-1 win.

Romano notched his 10th win with the Fisher Cats, tossing five strong innings, giving up just one unearned run on three hits with a walk and six strikeouts, giving way to Kirby Snead after just 76 pitches. Snead allowed two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings and Dusty Isaacs struck out all four batters he faced, stranding the bases loaded in the seventh and pitching a clean eighth. Travis Bergen struck out two in the ninth.

Bo Bichette had two hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run while Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Montreal, Que.) was 1-for-4 with a solo shot and Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) was 1-for-4 with a solo shot before he was ejected in the eighth inning. Jon Berti walked twice and stole two bases and Santiago Espinal, Andrew Guillotte and Harold Ramirez each had a single.

W: Jordan Romano (10-4)
S: Travis Bergen (6)
HR: Bo Bichette (9), Connor Panas (8), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14)

Player of the Game: Jordan Romano and Bo Bichette

Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Jupiter Hammerheads 6

The Jupiter Hammerheads managed an epic comeback against the class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays' bullpen, scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with a 6-5 win.

Patrick Murphy held the Hammerheads in check over six innings, giving up just one run on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. Angel Perdomo provided a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out one and William Ouellette struck out one, walked one and gave up a hit in the eighth. Jackson McClelland walked all four batters he faced and left the bases loaded for Jake Fishman who allowed all three runners to score, giving up a run of his own on two hits and an intentional walk in 2/3 of an inning.

Brock Lundquist was 2-for-5 with a double and a run and Ivan Castillo was 2-for-4 with a double. Kevin Smith was 1-for-5 but his his 11th home run of the season with the Blue Jays. Logan Warmoth walked and had a single, adding a sacrifice fly and driving in a run. Riley Adams was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

L: Jake Fishman (2-1)
HR: Kevin Smith (11)

Player of the Game: Patrick Murphy

Lansing Lugnuts 5, South Bend Cubs 2

The bullpen had a strong game for the Lansing Lugnuts as they put together a 5-2 victory over the South Bend Cubs.

Kyle Weatherly started, throwing just three innings and giving up two runs on three hits and two walks with one strikeout. Brody Rodning allowed two hits and a walk with four strikeouts through three innings and Dany Jimenez allowed two hits but struck out seven batters in three innings for the save.

Norberto Obeso went deep, driving in two runs and going 1-for-4 with his third home run of the year and Brandon Grudzielanek hit a solo home run, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs. Jesus Navarro was 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base and Samad Taylor was 1-for-5 with a double.

W: Brody Rodning (2-3)
S: Dany Jimenez (7)
HR: Norberto Obeso (3), Brandon Grudzielanek (2)

Player of the Game: Jesus Navarro, Brody Rodning and Dany Jimenez

Vancouver Canadians 5, Eugene Emeralds 1

The class-A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians opened their series with the Eugene Emeralds by taking a 5-1 win.

Mc Gregory Contreras had just one hit but it was his seventh home run of the year, going 1-for-4 with the solo shot that makes his last three hits solo home runs. Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) was 2-for-3 with a double and a run, taking a walk and stealing two bases. Bryan Lizardo was 1-for-2 with two walks, a run and two stolen bases and Yorman Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with two RBI, a run and a stolen base. Brett Wright walked twice and Vinny Capra was 1-for-4 with a double.

Jose Espada had another strong start, going six innings without giving up a run, allowing four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Will McAffer (North Vancouver, B.C.) allowed a run on four hits with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings and Connor Law gave up just a hit in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

W: Jose Espada (2-3)
HR: Mc Gregory Contreras (7)

Roster Notes: Non-drafted free agent, righty Troy Miller was assigned to the Vancouver Canadians.

Player of the Game: Jose Espada

Bluefield Blue Jays 2, Princeton Rays 8

The rookie-class Bluefield Blue Jays couldn't muster much offence in an 8-2 loss to the Princeton Rays on Friday.

Alejandro Kirk had three of the club's five hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Rafael Lantigua was 1-for-3 with a walk and Dominic Abbadessa was 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base.

Alvaro Galindo tossed three innings and pitched to the first three batters of the fourth, allowing six runs on five hits (including two home runs) and four walks with two strikeouts. Adams Cuevas gave up two runs of his own, on three hits and three walks but also allowed both inherited runners to score and struck out four in three innings. Josh Almonte finished the game, walking one and striking out two in two innings.

L: Alvaro Galindo (0-3)

Player of the Game: Alejandro Kirk

GCL Blue Jays 0, GCL Tigers West 5

The GCL Blue Jays were shut out in the first game of a doubleheader against the GCL Tigers West, losing 5-0. The Jays had just three hits, all doubles with one each from Addison Barger, Warnel Valdez and Adrian Ramos.

Ryan Thurston started, allowing a run on three hits with five strikeouts in three innings. Gage Burland went a scoreless fourth and Brayan Mejia allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Eliezer Bello was called on to finish it off, allowed both inherited runners to score while giving up a hit and walking two in 2/3 of an inning, getting tagged for one run of his own.

L: Ryan Thurston (1-1)

Roster Notes: Danny Barnes was moved up to Buffalo.

Player of the Game: None

GCL Blue Jays 8, GCL Tigers West 3

The GCL Blue Jays turned the tables, beating the Tigers West by an 8-3 score in the second game of the doubleheader. Jordan Groshans was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI in this one and Adrian Ramos was on base four times, going 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, three RBI, two runs and a stolen base. Gabriel Moreno was 2-for-4 with a run, as was Jonelvy Molina while Aldo Ovando was 2-for-4 with two runs. Jose Abel Hernandez was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs.

Anderson Nunez started, giving up two runs in the first inning, allowing two hits and a walk. Yunior Hinojosa provided three one-hit innings, striking out two to get the win and Williams Moreno gave up a solo home run among three hits, striking out two over three innings for the save.

W: Yunior Hinojosa (2-0)
S: Williams Moreno (1)

Player of the Game: Adrian Ramos and Jordan Groshans

DSL Blue Jays 8, DSL Padres 3

The DSL Blue Jays saved their scoring for late in the game, scoring seven of their eight runs in the last three innings to defeat the DSL Padres 8-3.

Pedro Hurtado hit his first home run of the year, going deep in the eighth inning and he drove in three runs and scored twice, adding a sacrifice fly. Jose Rivas was 2-for-5 with a run and Miguel Hiraldo was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run. Catcher Jose Ferrer walked twice, going 0-for-2 with a run and a stolen base.

Ronald Govea was on the mound, logging 5 1/3 innings with a run on four hits and two walks, striking out four. Junior Guzman got the win (after blowing the save), allowing two runs on two hits (including a home run) and a walk with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

W: Junior Guzman (1-6)
HR: Pedro Hurtado (1)

Player of the Game: Pedro Hurtado

Jay's Jay of the Day: Patrick Murphy and Jose Espada

If you like us here, like us on Facebook!

The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available!