May 24 Minor League Report/May 25 Preview

 

Deck McGuire
Deck McGuire

 

Ok, Blue Jays, now you’re in some serious territory, taking two in a row from Oakland without much bang from the big boppers! But what happened in the minor leagues?

 

 

Buffalo Bisons 0, Louisville Bats 6

 

Chien-Ming Wang showed that he can still get minor league hitters out but, unfortunately, he wasn’t doing it for the Bisons this year. The club had just five hits including two from Darin Mastroianni. Chad Jenkins allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings, getting his pitch count up to 73 pitches.

 

Darin Mastroianni
Darin Mastroianni

Player of the Game: Darin Mastroianni

 

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 0, Portland Sea Dogs 18

 

The same Portland Sea Dogs destroyed Matt Boyd in his appearance against them earlier this year and rather than using their bats, the Sea Dogs vanquished Aaron Sanchez without having to swing much. Sanchez only faced six batters, walking four, hitting one and the last one got on base via an error. All six came around to score in a brutal first inning that culminated in six Portland runs without a single hit being registered (three runs were earned). They say that if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all so  . . . outfielder Matt Newman pitched a scoreless inning!

(Totally Sarcastic) Player of the Game: Matt Newman

 

Dunedin Blue Jays 8, Lakeland Flying Tigers 6

 

The D-Jays got into a big hole behind Ben White who was shelled for 10 hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings. Kamakani Usui, a non-drafted free agent signed last year (check out the 2014 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook for more on him), earned his first win with Dunedin while Arik Sikula secured his 15th save. Those nice stats (the win and the save) were accumulated because the offense went on a little binge scoring six runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jorge Flores continues to hit; “Mighty Mouse” raised his batting average to .317 with a 2/3 game that included a double. Dalton Pompey contributed with two RBI and a single while Marcus Knecht went 2/4 with a double and RBI. Kevin Patterson hit his fourth home run of the year.

 

Jorge Flores
Jorge Flores

Player of the Game: Marcus Knecht and Jorge Flores

 

Dunedin Blue Jays 2, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1

 

There was far less offense in game two of the double header with obth teams combining for just nine hits over the seven innings. Efrain Nieves made a very successful spot start for the Blue Jays, throwing four one-run innings, striking out three while Chad Girodo cleaned up the last three innings to earn his fourth win, allowing just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Dalton Pompey went 1/4 with an RBI and a stolen base while K.C. Hobson was 1/2 with a walk and a run. Kevin Patterson was also 1/2 with a walk and a double while Emilio Guerrero was 1/3 and drove in the other run.

 

Chad Girodo
Chad Girodo

Player of the Game: Chad Girodo and Efrain Nieves

 

Lansing Lugnuts 4, Fort Wayne TinCaps 3

 

It took an extra inning but the Lugnuts came out on top thanks to a solid performance from their newest member, pitcher Brad Allen. Allen, signed to a minor league free agent deal a few days ago went five innings, allowing just one run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Scott Silverstein blew the save but came out of it with the win after allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Dawel Lugo was the offensive force, going 4/5 with a triple (and raising his batting average to .280 after a slow start). Derrick Loveless had another two hits while runs were driven in by Mitch Nay, Dickie Joe Thon, Seth Conner and Jason Leblebijian. Leblebijian and L.B. Dantzler were 1/3 with two walks to get on base three times each.

Roster Notes: After getting hit on the wrist the other day, Justin Atkinson was placed on the DL and Ian Parmley was activated to take his place. Brad Allen was assigned to Lansing while Adaric Kelly was placed on the DL.

 

Dawel Lugo
Dawel Lugo

Player of the Game: Dawel Lugo

 

 

May 25 Preview

 

Buffalo Bisons (25-20)

 

In a Sunday evening game (6:05 PM ET), the Bisons will rely on Marcus Stroman (against an undetermined starter) to avenge last night’s loss to the Louisville Bats. Stroman returned from the majors with a strong start in his last appearance for the herd, but the home run he gave up came back to bite him as he took the loss, allowing three runs (all from the homer) in five innings.

 

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-32)

 

Yesterday’s 18-0 loss had the Fisher Cats hitting a new low and they’ll host the Portland Sea Dogs again today at 1:35 (available on MiLB TV). The Fisher Cats’ starter hasn’t been announced — Deck McGuire normally followed Aaron Sanchez in the rotation but he tweeted yesterday that he’s headed to Louisville to meet “the team,” meaning the Buffalo Bisons. Who would be taking his spot in the rotation is unknown at this time. The Fisher Cats face Brian Johnson, a 23-year-old lefty who has been excellent this season after a call up from High-A Salem.

 

Dunedin Blue Jays (35-14)

 

I don’t want to call the D-Jays “surging” because they’ve just been flat out great this whole year. They’re going to send Jesse Hernandez to the hill to face the Lakeland Flying Tigers and Yorfrank Lopez. Hernandez has been very solid all year but had a rough go in his last start, allowing seven runs (five earned) in six innings. Lopez hasn’t been good, allowing 30 earned runs in 43 innings while walking 20 and striking out only 22. This game goes at 1:00 PM ET.

 

Lansing Lugnuts (24-24)

 

After some more time on the road, the Lugnuts face a new opponent in the South Bend Silver Hawks (29-19) and will be a much better test for the Jays’ Midwest League affiliates than Fort Wayne was. South Bend sends Blayne Weller to face the Lugs. Weller is a 24-year-old, 6-foot-5 righty who’s been hit hard this season but most of his appearances have been out of the bullpen. Jeremy Gabryszwski goes for the Lugnuts with his 3.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 52 innings.  This one is being played at 4:05 PM ET.

 

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.