The night was a low scoring one for the Blue Jays’ minor league teams as they racked up a win and two losses, scoring just five runs over three games.
Buffalo Bisons 1, Charlotte Knights 0
The Bisons needed 11 innings to score a run against the top farm club of the Chicago White Sox but, fortunately, the Charlotte Knights couldn’t score at all. Sean Nolin put up six strong innings for the Bisons, allowing just four hits and striking out four. The bullpen was excellent, getting a scoreless inning each from Gregory Infante, John Stilson, Neil Wagner and two scoreless from Austin Bibens-Dirkx. The offense only managed seven hits, including two from Ryan Goins: a double and an RBI single to win the game.
Player of the Game: Sean Nolin
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2, New Britain Rock Cats 4
The Fisher Cats couldn’t find any offense either, scoring only two runs on six hits against Sean Gilmartin (who struck out eight) and the Rock Cats. New Hampshire starter Casey Lawrence wasn’t bad, allowing only six hits and no walks but gave up two home runs that accounted for three of the four runs he surrendered on the night. Mike McDade had two of the Fisher Cats’ hits while Mike Crouse had the only extra-base hit, a double, to go with a walk. Both runs came in on sacrifice flies, one from A.J. Jimenez and one from Brad Glenn.
Player of the Game: Brad Glenn
Dunedin Blue Jays game was postponed due to rain.
Lansing Lugnuts 2, West Michigan White Caps 4
The Lansing Lugnuts sent two of their newest pitchers to the mound tonight. Matt Dermody, freshly assigned from extended spring training, got the start in his first league game action, going four innings (throwing by one count 60-70 pitches), allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Brady Dragmire was very effective in three innings of relief, giving up only two hits and striking out four while Adaric Kelly, also newly assigned to Lansing, allowed a pair of runs (one was earned) on three hits and one walk with a strikeout in two innings to finish the game. Despite nine hits, the Lugnuts couldn’t piece together more than two runs. Mitch Nay had three hits on the night while Matt Dean went 2/3 with a double. Derrick Loveless was 1/4 with a double, driving in both runs but his double just missed going out of the park by just a few inches. Dickie Thon also had a pair of hits for the Lugnuts.
Player of the Game: Mitch Nay
May 3 Preview
Buffalo Bisons (15-10)
The Bisons send Ricky Romero to the hill against Charlotte facing Eric Surkamp. Surkamp has struggled so far in Charlotte, posting a 6.00 ERA in 24 innings despite a very solid 23 to 7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s been getting hit hard, allowing 42 hits and three home runs in 24 innings. In his four starts, Ricky Romero has amasses 20 innings and has, once again, struggled with his control, walking 14 batters and striking out another 14. This is an afternoon affair, starting at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on MiLB TV.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-14)
Saturday is Aaron Sanchez day for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats as the club is on the road to take on the New Britain Rock Cats at 6:35 PM ET. Sanchez has been very good, with a 1-1 record and a 2.10 ERA but has struggled at times this season as is evident by his 27 strikeouts and 15 walks in 30 innings this season. He faces Pat Dean, a 24-year-old lefty who has been very solid so far this season with a 3.51 ERA, 27 hits against, just seven walks and 20 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings so far this year. You can catch the action on MiLB TV.
Dunedin Blue Jays (20-7)
The Dunedin Blue Jays play one more against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, giving Ben White the start against an undetermined opponent. The game is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.
Lansing Lugnuts (13-14)
The Lugnuts, despite their loss on Friday night, are one of the hottest teams in the Midwest League. They send 6-foot-4 Texan Jeremy Gabryszwski to the mound with a 1-2 record and 4.40 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. The Lugnuts face Kevin Ziomek, a 22-year-old Vanderbilt product who has been dominating the Midwest League with a 1.31 ERA, just 14 hits allowed, 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings this year. His last outing was an eight-inning gem against Fort Wayne in which he threw eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six. Catch the game on the (internet) radio at 7:05 pm ET.
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All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2014) and may not be used without permission.