Day 2 of the draft was yesterday and, lo and behold, another Toronto win! The Jays rode a couple of home runs from Jose Bautista and Brett Lawrie, along with another strong start from Marcus Stroman to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Buffalo Bisons 5, Toledo Mud Hens 4
In a nailbiter, the Bisons won by a diving A.J. Jimenez in the bottom of the tenth as the young catcher got by his counterpart, James McCann to score the winning run on a little bouncing ball by Kenny Wilson. Dan Johnson hit his team-leading 12th home run, going 2/5 and adding a double while A.J. Jimenez had a double and two RBI to go along with his single in the 10th and game winning run. Matt Tuiasosopo and Jared Goedert also had two hits apiece. Sean Nolin returned to the lineup for the Bisons and went 3 1/3 innings, throwing 51 pitches and allowed a run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Ryan Rowland-Smith was charged with the other three runs in his 1 2/3 innings but Mike Zagurski (2 IP), Rob Rasmussen (2 IP) and Raul Valdes (1 IP) shut down the Mud Hens and let the team win.
Player of the Game: Dan Johnson
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 9, Erie SeaWolves 2
The Fisher Cats returned to their winning ways against Erie, getting two big home runs (his first two in Double-A) from outfielder Matt Newman. Newman went 2/4 with the bombs, driving in three RBI on the night. Jorge Flores also drove in a pair with a double and Jonathan Jones had two RBI and two walks. Austin Bibens-Dirkx got the start and was his usual, reliable self, throwing five innings, allowing just one unearned run on six hits and one walk, striking out two. Richard Bleier provided three innings of one-run relief and Randy Boone finished things off with a scoreless inning.
Roster Move: Richard Bleier was sent to New Hampshire from Buffalo and brings the roster to 24, one under the limit.
Player of the Game: Matt Newman
Dunedin Blue Jays 0, St. Lucie Mets 5
Matt Boyd was strong again for the Dunedin Blue Jays, allowing only one unearned run on just two hits and one walk with six strikeouts in five innings but Justin Jackson couldn’t keep the game close, allowing three runs in his two innings of work. The Blue Jays hitters couldn’t solve the Mets’ Gabriel Ynoa who struck out 11 and allowed just four hits in seven innings of work. K.C. Hobson seemed to be the only player in the lineup with a solution, getting three hits including a double. Dalton Pompey had another rough night, striking out twice in an 0/4 game (after striking out four times on Thursday).
Player of the Game: Matt Boyd and K.C. Hobson
Lansing Lugnuts 5, South Bend Silver Hawks 13
Alberto Tirado‘s luck seems to be running out after he got rocked for five runs (all earned) in 1 2/3 innings of work, giving up four hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Alonzo Gonzalez had the best night of the pitchers, allowing only one run on four hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Yeyfry Del Rosario allowed five runs (three earned) and Brady Dragmire allowed another two runs (one earned) in two innings. D.J. Davis hit his fifth home run but also made a costly error in the outfield (his 11th of the season) and struck out three times. Mitch Nay seems to be over his slump, going 2/4 with two runs and Matt Dean, another Midwest League All-Star had a pair of hits while Jason Leblebijian went 3/4 with a double and two RBI. Dawel Lugo‘s 15-game hit streak came to an end with an 0/3 game (although he did take a walk).
Player of the Game: Jason Leblebijian
DSL Blue Jays 3, DSL Brewers 4
Shortstop Jesus Severino had a great game, going 2/4 with a double, a walk and two RBI and Leudy Garcia was 2/4 but that was almost all of the offense for the Blue Jays. Denis Diaz had four strong innings, striking out six, allowing two hits and two walks while Luis Sanchez threw three shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
Player of the Game: Luis Sanchez, Denis Diaz and Jesus Severino
June 7 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (29-29)
The Bisons send Kyle Drabek (4-5, 4.37 ERA) to the mound against the Syracuse Chiefs and Aaron Laffey (6-3, 3.72 ERA). I’ll be at the game in Buffalo for Star Wars night and a 6:05 PM start. If I see you on Twitter and you’re at the game, come out and say hello!
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (24-36)
The Fisher Cats continue their series against the SeaWolves and neither starter for the game has been announced. I honestly have no idea of who might start. It could be John Anderson or someone who’s activated off the DL (Scott Gracey or Casey Lawrence), called up from Dunedin or sent down from Buffalo! So many possibilities! This game goes at 7:05 PM and appears to be on MiLB TV.
Dunedin Blue Jays (41-19)
At 6:30 PM, the D-Jays play another game against the St. Lucie Mets with Daniel Norris on the mound. Allowing three runs in his last start, Norris’s ERA was boosted to 1.12 but he’s still be absolutely dominant all year for the Blue Jays.
Lansing Lugnuts (28-32)
The Lugnuts are glad to see the South Bend Silver Hawks leave town and welcome the 28-33 Great Lakes Loons. The Lugnuts send Matt Dermody (3-2, 5.14 ERA) to the mound against an undetermined starter for Great Lakes. Dermody has had some great starts and some not so great ones including his last start in which he allowed seven runs (five earned) in 3 2/3 innings.
Who are these players? Find out in The 2014 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook, now available as an ebook at Smashwords.com for $7.99 US. It’s coming soon to Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo and other fine retailers. You can purchase and preview the book at our Smashwords.com page! If you like us here,“like” us on Facebook!
All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.