April 6, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

April weather canceled two games for the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league affiliates and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats tested a new rule with the teams going 1-1 in Friday action.

Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Red Wings

Postponed due to snow

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Hartford Yard Goats 3

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats tested the brand new extra-innings rule, taking a 4-3 victory over the Hartford Yard Goats in 11 innings on Friday. Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) was strong in his double-A debut, throwing five innings and giving up two runs (both on solo home runs) on four hits and one walk, striking out six. The score remained tied as Danny Young threw two scoreless innings and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) tossed a scoreless eighth.

Zach Jackson pitched two excellent innings, and while the Gameday box score notes that he was charged with an unearned run, he never did allow a runner to cross the plate. He got a fly out to start the ninth, walked a batter (who stole second and third), then struck out a batter, intentionally walked the next and struck out Mylz Jones to finish the ninth.

In the 10th, Jackson got another two strikeouts and a foul out with Jones starting the inning on second base (he never advanced). Connor Fisk, with a runner starting on second base in the 11th inning, staked to a 4-2 lead, gave up the unearned run by giving up a single to the first batter he saw before getting a double play and a strikeout.

Lourdes Gurriel continues to be hot, going 3-for-5 with an triple (in the 11th) and two RBI, helping the team to their victory. With Jonathan Davis on second base to start the 11th, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) hit a sac bunt, getting Davis to third and Gurriel promptly tripled to score him. With two outs, Cavan Biggio doubled to left field to bring home the insurance run that the Fisher Cats would need to hold off the Yard Goats. For Biggio it was his second double of the night as he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Bo Bichette also had two hits, going 2-for-5 with a run and his second stolen base. Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) had the only other hit for the Fisher Cats.

W: Zach Jackson (1-0)

S: Conor Fisk (1)

Player of the Game: Lourdes Gurriel

Dunedin Blue Jays 0, Clearwater Threshers 8

The Dunedin Blue Jays couldn't follow up their Opening Night win and fell to the Clearwater Threshers in an 8-0 loss on Friday.

Tayler Saucedo started and gave up three solo home runs, but they were the only hits he allowed as he surrendered three runs on three hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out five. Juliandry Higuera relieved him, giving up another three runs over one inning, allowing three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Connor Eller made his season debut, giving up a run on three hits with a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings and Nick Hartman tossed an inning, allowing a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout.

The offence was led by Joshua Palacios and Bradley Jones who had two singles each while Logan Warmoth, Eduard Pinto and Yeltsin Gudino each had a single with Gudino adding a walk.

L: Tayler Saucedo (0-1)

Player of the Game: Joshua Palacios and Bradley Jones

Lansing Lugnuts, Great Lakes Loons

Postponed due to inclement weather

Jay's Jay of the Day: Lourdes Gurriel

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