There were a couple of shutouts, three walkoff wins (or losses) and an epic see-saw battle on the slate for the Blue Jays’ affiliates. Dunedin was rained out.
Buffalo Bisons 4, Syracuse Chiefs 0
Chad Jenkins took the ball for the Buffalo Bisons and gave the club five outstanding innings, shutting down the Syracuse Chiefs and holding them to just two hits while striking out four without walking anyone. Greg Burke threw 1 2/3 innings of hitless ball while Colt Hynes finished the seventh before Steve Delabar struck out four and walked only one finishing the game with two one-hit innings.
The offense was led by Andy Burns who was 2/4 with an RBI while George Kottaras was 1/3 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Dalton Pompey, who rolled his ankle in Friday’s game, was given the day off.
Player of the Game: Chad Jenkins
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3, Erie SeaWolves 5
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats lost another game to the Erie SeaWolves as Scott Barnes didn’t have a great game as he gets stretched out as a starter. Barnes allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over three innings while striking out four. Pressed into a longer relief role than he likely anticipated, Luis Perez was very efficient, throwing just 44 pitches over four innings and giving up six hits but only one run and striking out two. Danny Barnes struck out the side in the eighth and Chad Girodo threw a scoreless ninth.
Melky Mesa, Ryan Schimpf and Christian Lopes each had two hits, accounting for all but one of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ hits on the game. Schimpf had the big blow, hitting a three-run home run in the sixth and taking a walk.
Player of the Game: Ryan Schimpf
Dunedin Blue Jays, Brevard County Manatees
Game postponed due to rain
Lansing Lugnuts 0, Kane County Cougars 3
Despite a quality start from Chase Mallard, the Lugnuts couldn’t muster the offense, getting only two hits as a team as the club was shut out by the Kane County Cougars. Mallard went six innings and allowed five hits and four walks, resulting in just two runs. Jose Fernandez finished the game, allowing a solo home run among four hits over two innings. Michael De La Cruz and Austin Davis each had hits while Chris Carlson walked three times, going 0/1.
Player of the Game: None
Vancouver Canadians 9, Hillsboro Hops 10
On Saturday, fans of the Vancouver Canadians probably experienced a roller coaster of emotions. First the club got behind by eight runs in the first four innings and then they came back to take a 9-8 lead by scoring in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning. Hillboro tied the game in the bottom of the ninth and eventually walked off with a victory in the bottom of the 14, making mincemeat of what could have been an epic comeback for the Canadians.
After a very strong start in his last time out, Evan Smith was smacked around, giving up five runs (four earned) over 2 2/3 innings, allowing a home run among five hits while also walking three. Daniel Young followed and, while he stranded the two inherited runners from Smith, he gave up three of his own runs over 1 1/3 innings. Sean Ratcliffe provided 3 1/3 scoreless frames, striking out three and giving up two hits before Turner Lee allowed a hit. Andrew Case couldn’t find his control, walking three in 1 2/3 innings and allowing the tying run. Josh DeGraaf allowed three hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings but didn’t allow any runs, striking out six while Michael Kraft gave up the game winner to take the loss.
Ryan Metzler and Josh Reavis led the offense with three hits each while Carl Wise (2/6, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI) and Gunnar Heidt (1/6, 2B, BB, 2 RBI) each drove in two runs. Kevin Garcia also had two hits, going 2/3 with a run and two walks.
Player of the Game: Carl Wise and Kevin Garcia
Bluefield Blue Jays 3, Princeton Rays 4
Princeton walked off with a win against the Bluefield Blue Jays, getting to Joe Claver in the bottom of the ninth. Miguel Burgos was strong in his start, going five innings and allowing just three hits and a walk. Zak Wasilewski blew the save, allowing three runs (two earned) over 2/3 of an inning despite striking out two. Tyler Burden gave up two walks but no hits or runs over 2 1/3 innings before Claver came on for the ninth.
Rodrigo Orozco and Aaron Attaway each had a pair of hits with Orozco hitting a double and driving in a run and Attaway driving in two.
Player of the Game: Miguel Burgos
GCL Blue Jays 3, GCL Braves 2
The Blue Jays walked off against the Braves at home in Dunedin, getting just the offense they needed to come away with the win. In another well-pitched game for the GCL Blue Jays, Denis Diaz went five innings, striking out seven but walking three and allowing two runs on a two-run home run in the second inning. Nate Abel went three scoreless innings, giving up two hits and two walks with three strikeouts while Juan Nunez pitched a perfect ninth for the win.
Lance Jones was the hero, getting a single to center field that drove home Edward Olivares for the win. Juandy Mendoza and Dan Jansen both hit doubles.
Player of the Game: Denis Diaz
DSL Blue Jays 4, DSL D-backs 7
The Blue Jays scored four runs on six hits but couldn’t keep up with the D-backs who scored seven times, beating the Jays on their home turf. Joel Espinal started and allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings despite striking out seven batters. Guillermo De La Cruz allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits while Wilton Mueses and Juan Meza combined to finish the game, with Mueses throwing 2/3 of an inning and walking three and Meza pitching to one batter to get the out.
Yorman Rodriguez had a double and two RBI while Antony Fuentes was 2/4 with a run. Manuel Herazo had a rough game behind the plate, making two errors and committing a passed ball.
Player of the Game: None
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