A.J. Jimenez Rocks Altoona: June 20 Minor League Report

Buffalo Bisons (36-36)

The Buffalo Bisons fell to .500 for the first time since April 14 with a 3-2 loss to the Gwinnett Braves. Justin Germano was very good, giving up only three runs to the Braves over eight innings but the Bisons couldn’t score more than two in the defeat. Ryan Goins drove in both runs with an RBI single in the ninth inning and Moises Sierra (playing center field), Mike McCoy and Luis Jimenez all had two hits each. Ricardo Nanita got on base three times with a single and two walks.

February 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Justin Germano (52) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hitting:

Mike McCoy – 2/4, K
Jim Negrych – 0/4, 2 K
Mauro Gomez – 1/4, 2 K
Luis Jimenez – 2/4, R, 2B
Moises Sierra – 2/4, 2B, K
Ricardo Nanita – 1/2, R, 2 BB
Sean Ochinko – 0/3, BB
Ryan Goins – 1/4, 2 RBI, K
Ryan Langerhans – 0/2, K
Eugenio Velez – 1/1, BB

Pitching:

Justin Germano – L, 8 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
Claudio Vargas – 1 IP

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Justin Germano

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (33-37)

None of the Fisher Cats pitchers could keep the Altoona Curve off the scoreboard in a 7-4 loss on Thursday night. Starter Ryan Tepera gave up four runs in his five innings while Matt Wright gave up one in his two innings but struck out three and Chorye Spoone gave up another two in the eighth inning. Kevin Pillar was kept off the bases but A.J. Jimenez (playing DH) had a huge game, going four for five with two doubles and two RBI for the Fisher Cats. Shortstop Kevin Nolan also had a two-hit game driving in a run and taking a walk.

Roster Note: Alan Farina was added to the pitching staff from Dunedin. I also expect to see Andy Burns joining the Fisher Cats on Friday, but no announcement has been made yet.

Hitting:

Kevin Pillar – 0/5
Adam Loewen – 2/4, 2 R, 2B, BB, K
A.J. Jimenez – 4/5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Clint Robinson – 1/5, K
Brad Glenn – 0/4, R, BB, K
Kevin Nolan – 2/3, RBI, BB
Ryan Schimpf – 1/3, RBI, BB
Jack Murphy – 0/4, K, E
Amadeo Zazueta – 1/4, E

Pitching:

Ryan Tepera – 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 5 K
Matt Wright – L, 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 K, 1 HR
Chorye Spoone – 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: A.J. Jimenez

Dunedin Blue Jays (37-30)

With a clean slate in the standings, the Dunedin Blue Jays lost their first game of the second half of the season 4-0 to the Daytona Cubs. Starter Marco Grifantini gave up four runs in his four innings in his fourth start of the season but the rest of the bullpen picked him up with another four shutout innings, striking out seven batters. The offense was quiet without Andy Burns in the lineup and newly promoted Gustavo Pierre went two for four with a double. Nick Baligod had the only other extra-base-hit of the game for the D-Jays.

Roster Notes: 3B Gustavo Pierre was promoted from Class-A Lansing while RP Alan Farina was sent up to New Hampshire.

Hitting:

Shane Opitz – 1/4, 2 K
Peter Mooney – 1/4, K
Gustavo Pierre – 2/4, 2B, K
K.C. Hobson – 0/4, 3 K
Marcus Knecht – 1/4, K
Nick Baligod – 1/3, 2B
Oliver Dominguez – 0/3
Matt Newman – 0/3, 2 K
Pierce Rankin – 1/3, 2 K

Pitching:

Marco Grifantini – L, 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
Dayton Marze – 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Shawn Griffith – 1 IP, 2 K
Blake McFarland – 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Gustavo Pierre

Lansing Lugnuts (32-38)

The Lansing Lugnuts lost the first game of the second half 2-1 in a pitching duel with the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Lugnuts got a good start from Taylor Cole who scattered nine hits and two walks over five innings, giving up just two runs. “Almost Perfect” Kramer Champlin threw three shutout innings to finish the game, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out two. The Hot Rods went four for five in stolen bases, stealing almost at will against the Lugnuts. The offense was only able to get five hits off of the Hot Rods’ pitching with Carlos Ramirez, Jorge Flores and Kellen Sweeney hitting doubles while Dwight Smith, Jr. and Dalton Pompey got on base three times each.

Roster Moves: With 3B Gustavo Pierre getting the promotion to A+ Dunedin, SS Jason Leblebijian comes up from Vancouver.

Hitting:

Dwight Smith, Jr. – 1/2, R, 2 BB, OF Asst.
Dalton Pompey – 0/1, 3 BB
Christian Lopes – 0/4
Kevin Patterson – 1/4
Emilio Guerrero – 0/3, BB
Carlos Ramirez – 1/4, 2B, K
Jorge Flores – 1/4, 2B
Aaron Munoz – 0/3, K
Jason Leblebijian – 0/1
Kellen Sweeney – 1/4, 2B, 2 K, E

Pitching:

Taylor Cole – L, 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Kramer Champlin – 3 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Dwight Smith, Jr.

Vancouver Canadians (3-3)

June 20 Game will be in the June 21 Minor League Report

Roster Note: SS Jason Leblebijian was promoted to Lansing while newly signed draftee 3B David Harris was assigned to the Vancouver Canadians.

Bluefield Blue Jays (1-0)

The Rookie-level Bluefield Blue Jays in the Appalachian League opened their season with a 5-0 win against the Greeneville Astros on Thursday night. Chase DeJong was very good through the first five innings, giving up only six hits while striking out two. Canadian Shane Dawson picked up the save, giving up only one hit and one walk over four innings while striking out five batters. Dominican Dawel Lugo had the big day for the Blue Jays, going three for four while DH Eric Arce had a three run triple as well as a walk. Third baseman Mitch Nay went two for four and drove in a run in his first professional game while Matthew Dean played first base and drove in a run. The defense was particularly slick as Jesus Gonzalez had an outfield assist and the ball club made four double plays.

Roster Moves: OF Alexis Maldonado (signed this year as an undrafted free agent) was assigned officially to Bluefield while OF Jacob Anderson and LHP Carlos Pina were both placed on the 60-day DL.

Hitting:

D.J. Davis – 0/4, K
Jesus Gonzalez – 1/4, 2 K, OF Asst.
Dawel Lugo – 3/4
Jorge Saez – 1/3, 2 R, 2B, BB
Mitch Nay – 2/4, 2 R, RBI
Matthew Dean – 1/4, R, RBI
Eric Arce – 1/3, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, K
Angel Rojas – 0/4, K
Derrick Loveless – 0/2, 2 BB, K

Pitching:

Chase DeJong – W, 5 IP, 6 H, 2 K
Shane Dawson – S, 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Shane Dawson

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