The Jays’ farmhands went 2-2 yesterday with some great pitching performances as well as another great performance at the plate from a player who looks to be making a push for a promotion after a couple of injury-plagued seasons.
Buffalo Bisons 3, Norfolk Tides 4
The Buffalo Bisons struck for 16 hits over 14 innings but still couldn’t manage to put away the Norfolk Tides who earned the walk-off win in the bottom of the 14th as they opened the series. Scott Copeland contributed another strong start with six innings of six-hit, two-run ball (with 10 ground outs and only two fly outs) and the bullpen was strong for another two innings until Bo Schultz allowed a run to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Greg Infante provided three innings of scoreless relief until Colt Hynes was victimized in the 14th.
Jonathan Diaz led the way with four hits including a double while A.J. Jimenez, Melky Mesa, Matt Hague, Andy Burns and Steve Tolleson each had a pair of hits. Burns took a walk and stole a base while Hague walked twice and drove in a run. Dalton Pompey was 1/7 and was caught stealing.
Roster Notes: The Blue Jays dipped into the Buffalo roster yet again, recalling Ryan Tepera and sending back Chad Jenkins. Kevin Nolan was sent back to New Hampshire.
Player of the Game: Jonathan Diaz and Scott Copeland
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Trenton Thunder 1
The ever-solid Casey Lawrence gave the Fisher Cats another great outing, going five innings and surrendering just one run on six hits and a walk with one strikeout to stymie the Trenton Thunder in taking the first game of the series. Scott Barnes, Greg Burke, Luis Perez and Blake McFarland each pitched in with a scoreless inning to preserve the victory and McFarland earned his fourth save.
Jon Berti continued his hot month of May by going 3/4 with two stolen bases while Dwight Smith, Jr. went 2/4 with a triple, an RBI and two stolen bases, playing center field while Berti manned left. Jake Fox was 1/3 with a walk and a home run and Matt Newman and Kevin Nolan each had a double and an RBI.
Roster Notes: Kevin Nolan was assigned to New Hampshire from Buffalo.
Player of the Game: Jon Berti and Casey Lawrence
Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2
The Dunedin Blue Jays bounced back by winning the second game of their series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers thanks to Luis Santos‘s best outing so far as a Blue Jay. The former Pirate and Royals farmhand went five innings of one-run, three-hit ball with six strikeouts and no walks before Brady Dragmire took the ball for a scoreless sixth and seventh. Alberto Tirado allowed a run in his inning but reportedly hit 98 mph on the radar gun. Wil Browning finished off the game for his league-leading eighth save.
The offensive hero was Matt Dean who launched a three-run home run in the fifth inning but Mike Reeves had three hits (including a double and an RBI), Jason Leblebijian had a pair of singles, as did Roemon Fields.
Player of the Game: Luis Santos and Mike Reeves
Lansing Lugnuts 3, Fort Wayne Tincaps 4
The Lansing Lugnuts fell just short of a victory as Conner Greene struggled through four innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with just two strikeouts. Starlyn Suriel was solid through three innings in relief, allowing just a solo home run (as his only hit) and Phil Kish finished the game with a scoreless eighth.
Jonathan Davis (J.D.) continued his torrid hitting, pushing his average to .387 with a double and a home run while also taking a walk and driving in a pair of runs. Anthony Alford had a double, and RBI and two walks for the Lugnuts while Justin Atkinson had a rough night, earning the Golden Sombrero with four strikeouts.
Player of the Game: J.D. Davis
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