Buffalo Bisons 3, Rochester Red Wings 6
Saskatchewan native Andrew Albers made the Opening Day start for the Buffalo Bisons but was hit hard by the Red Wings, allowing two home runs among his eight hits and was touched for four runs over 4 2/3 innings. Ryan Tepera provided two innings of scoreless relief, stranding a runner but walked three and Greg Infante stranded both of the runners he inherited from Tepera, striking out two of the four batters he faced. Bobby Korecky allowed two runs (one earned) in his inning of relief.
The Bisons only managed to to get five hits, including a double from Ezequiel Carrera (who also walked). Josh Thole was on twice with a single and a walk (and an RBI) while Ryan Goins drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Player of the Game: Greg Infante and Ryan Tepera
New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. New Britain Rock Cats
Game postponed due to weather
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Clearwater Threshers 2
Three Dunedin Blue Jays hit home runs against the Threshers, making good on some of the tremendous offensive potential that this Dunedin team has. Dawel Lugo (2/4, 2 RBI), Mitch Nay (1/4) and Matt Dean (1/3, BB) each hit a home run while Michael Saunders was 0/3 with a walk as the DH in a rehab outing.
Jairo Labourt went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts for the win while Luis Santos, Chad Girodo, Brady Dragmire and Wil Browning (S, 1) pitched in to keep the Threshers off the board.
Player of the Game: Dawel Lugo
Lansing Lugnuts 9, Michigan State Spartans 4
The Lansing Lugnuts and Michigan State Spartans outlasted the rain to get a seven-inning exhibition game in the books for the first competitive action of the year for the Lugnuts. Like every year, the Blue Jays send several pitchers who are going to start the season in extended spring training to Lansing to pitch in the annual Crosstown Showdown. This year, the new arrivals were Sean Reid-Foley, Conner Greene and Jesus Tinoco. Getting the start for Lansing was Justin Shafer who gave up four consecutive hits (adding up to a cycle) to the first four batters he faced. allowing a leadoff triple to Cam Gibson (the son of Kirk Gibson), a home run to Ryan Krill followed by a double and a single before getting a couple of ground balls to get out of the inning with three runs against. In the following inning, Shafer settled down, getting the side in order. Conner Greene, who just found out that he would be staying with Lansing to start the season with the Lugnuts (confirmed by manager Ken Huckaby after the game) made quick work of the seven Spartans he faced, allowing just one hit. Chase Wellbrock threw an inning, allowing a run after his inning unraveled when a blooper dropped in for a double down the right field line. Still, Wellbrock showed off a good slider and well-located fastballs to strikeouhttps://www.bluejaysfromaway.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpt a pair. Jesus Tinoco followed and he struck out a pair but didn’t look sharp, allowing the only walk of the game for Lugnuts’ pitchers. Sean Reid-Foley came in for the seventh and just overpowered the Spartans on mid-90s heat.
On the offensive side, the Lugnuts got home runs from Richard Urena (going yard from the right side of the plate) and Ryan McBroom who launched one over the left-center field wall. Rowdy Tellez drove in a pair despite not getting credited with a hit (if I remember correctly, he got on on a hard-hit ball that went for an error). Dan Jansen, Josh Almonte, McBroom and Urena each had two hits in the win.
Stay tuned for a Premium Content post containing my scouting reports and some multi-media of the Lugnuts I saw last night including post-game interviews with manager Ken Huckaby and pitcher Sean Reid-Foley.
If you like us here, “like” us on Facebook!
Get your 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook now! All the up-to-date information on the Blue Jays minor league system with 250 player profiles, team information and more! You can find it at the BJfA Shop or at our distribution partner, Smashwords.com!
The All-New Blue Jays from Away Premium Content section is here! Combined with the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, it will be your best resource to the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system for just $1.99 per month or $15 for a full year (and get the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook free with a yearly subscription)!
All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2015) and may not be used without permission.