April 7, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

April weather canceled the Buffalo Bisons' season opener for the second time and the remaining three teams went 3-0 on Day 3 of the minor league season.

Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Red Wings

Postponed due to snow

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Hartford Yard Goats 1

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats spread their offence throughout the lineup and got a 4-1 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on the back of a strong outing from Nick Tepesch. Tepesch tossed six innings and allowed only one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Jose Fernandez threw one scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a run and Justin Shafer struck out three in 1 1/3 innings, giving up a hit. Craig Breslow came on for the save, striking out one of the two batters he faced.

Jonathan Davis was on base three times with a 1-for-3 game, hitting a double and walking twice. Bo Bichette continues to hit, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI while Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) (1-for-5) contributed with a double as did Cavan Biggio. Juan Kelly was 1-for-3 with a walk in his double-A debut while Patrick Cantwell also went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) was 1-for-5 for the club's final hit.

W: Nick Tepesch (1-0)
S: Craig Breslow (1)

Player of the Game: Nick Tepesch

Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Clearwater Threshers 1

The Dunedin Blue Jays got a strong start from Patrick Murphy and a couple of home runs on their way to a 5-1 win over the Clearwater Threshers. Murphy went five innings, giving up a run on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts, throwing 75 pitches before giving way to WIlliam Ouellette who allowed two hits over his inning of work. Jake Fishman made his season debut, striking out one and giving up a hit while Jackson McClelland also pitched for the first time this season, dominating and striking out three and letting just one batter reach base on a fielding error.

The Blue Jays got home runs from two of their likelier sources as Bradley Jones hit his first of the year, as did catcher Riley Adams. Nash Knight contributed with a single and a double and Eduard Pinto had two singles. Rodrigo Orozco was 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base and Bradley Jones added a walk to his home run and two RBI. Joshua Palacios was 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run.

W: Patrick Murphy (1-0)
HR: Bradley Jones (1), Riley Adams (1)

Player of the Game: Rodrigo Orozco

Lansing Lugnuts 6, Great Lakes Loons 4

The Lansing Lugnuts walked their way to victory after they pulled out six runs on only two hits to beat the Great Lakes Loons 6-4 in their home opener at Cooley Law School Stadium. With 12 walks, the Lugnuts got the job done as Samad Taylor, Kacy Clemens, Ryan Noda, Brock Lundquist and Reggie Pruitt each had two walks with Pruitt stealing a base and Noda going 1-for-2 with a double and a run. Kevin Smith had the club's only other hit, going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run, driving in Noda for the club's sixth run.

Zach Logue struck out six over five innings, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks, throwing 46 of his 80 pitches for strikes. Dany Jimenez was awarded the win (and a blown save), giving up two runs on two hits (including a home run) and two walks with three strikeouts over two innings before Andy Ravel (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Ty Tice (S, 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) finished it off for the Lugnuts.

W: Dany Jimenez (1-0)
S: Ty Tice (1)

Player of the Game: Ryan Noda

Jay's Jay of the Day: Nick Tepesch

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The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available! Visit the Handbook page for more information!