Romero’s Down, Drabek’s Up: July 27 Minor League Report

Buffalo Bisons (54-52)

The Buffalo Bisons lost a tough one to the Toledo Mud Hens 4-3 on Saturday night. The Bisons got down 4-1 but managed to score two in the top of the ninth before Jose Valverde shut things down for the victory. Ricky Romero got the start and was unimpressive again. He went four and a third innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out five. The bullpen nailed things down the rest of the way, getting strong performances from John Stilson, Sergio Santos and Tommy Hottovy. Ryan Goins hit his fifth home run of the year as part of a two-for-four day and Andy LaRoche had two single and a walk in three at bats.

Hitting:

Kevin Pillar – 1/4, R, BB, K, SB
Anthony Gose – 1/4, 3B, BB
Moises Sierra – 1/4, RBI, K, CS, E
Mauro Gomez – 1/3, BB, 2 K
Luis Jimenez – 0/4, K
Andy LaRoche – 2/3, R, BB
Ryan Goins – 2/4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Mike Nickeas – 1/4
Munenori Kawasaki – 0/2, 2 BB

Pitching:

Ricky Romero – L, 4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
John Stilson – 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Sergio Santos – 1 IP
Joel Carreno – 0 IP, 2 BB
Tommy Hottovy – 1 IP, 1 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Ryan Goins

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (52-53)

The playoff-hunting New Hampshire Fisher Cats got hammered again by the Altoona Curve 9-2 on Saturday night. Starting pitcher Ryan Tepera got shelled for all nine runs on twelve hits and three walks in just three and two-thirds innings. Randy Boone went three and a third shutout innings (giving up only three hits and a walk) while lefty Evan Crawford went two scoreless innings to finish the game. The offensive life came mostly from Gabe Jacobo who hit his third home run for the Fisher Cats and seven other players had base hits.

Hitting:

Adam Loewen – 1/5
Andy Burns – 1/4, BB, K
A.J. Jimenez – 0/3, BB
Brad Glenn – 1/4, R
Kevin Nolan – 1/4
Gabe Jacobo – 2/4, R, HR, RBI
Ryan Schimpf – 1/3, RBI, BB, 2 K
Brian Van Kirk – 0/4, K
Jack Murphy – 1/3, BB, E, PB

Pitching:

Ryan Tepera – L, 3 2/3 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Randy Boone – 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Evan Crawford – 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Randy Boone and Evan Crawford

Dunedin Blue Jays (50-49)

The Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads 11-1 thanks to great pitching and hitting all coming together. Kyle Drabek followed Drew Hutchison’s example and posted an outstanding start, holding the Hammerheads hitless (and walk-less) and striking out six batters over four and two-thirds innings. John Anderson picked up the win with three and a third innings giving up just one unearned run on two hits and three walks and Tyler Ybarra pitched a scoreless ninth to finish it off. The offense was clicking on all cylinders with Kenny Wilson continuing his rehab for the Dunedin Blue Jays and going three for three with two doubles, two walks, three runs scored and a stolen base. Marcus Knecht and Oliver Dominguez each had two-hit games (Knecht contributing with a triple and Dominguez hitting a double) while Matt Newman and Gustavo Pierre each hit a home run.

Roster Note: OF Kenny Wilson was assigned to Dunedin.

Jun 13, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kyle Drabek (4) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals at the Rogers Centre. The Nationals beat the Blue Jays 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hitting:

Kenny Wilson – 3/3, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 BB, SB
Jon Berti – 0/4, R, BB, K
K.C. Hobson – 0/4, R, RBI, K, SF
Mike Crouse – 1/4, R, 2 K, SB
Marcus Knecht – 2/4, 2 R, 3B, BB, K
Matt Newman – 1/5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 K
Gustavo Pierre – 1/3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, E
Oliver Dominguez – 2/3, 2B, RBI, BB, K, CS
Pierce Rankin – 0/4, 3 K, PB
Shane Opitz – 1/4, 2 RBI, K

Pitching:

Kyle Drabek – 4 2/3 IP, 6 K
John Anderson – W, 3 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 2 K
Tyler Ybarra – 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Kyle Drabek and Kenny Wilson

Lansing Lugnuts (44-59)

Despite only getting six hits, the Lansing Lugnuts were able to beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 4-1 on Saturday night. Despite walking five batters, starter Javier Avendano only gave up one run on two hits and struck out five in his five and a third innings. Efrain Nieves and Arik Sikula dominated the Hot Rods the rest of the way with Sikula striking out the side in the ninth to earn the save. Jorge “Mighty Mouse” Flores had the only two-hit game, going two for three with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI while Kellen Sweeney hit his fifth home run of the season.

Hitting:

Jorge Flores – 2/3, R, 2B, RBI, BB
Dwight Smith, Jr. – 0/4
Christian Lopes –1/4, RBI
Jordan Leyland – 0/4
Kevin Patterson – 1/4, R, 2 K
Santiago Nessy – 1/4, 2B, RBI
Emilio Guerrero – 0/3
Chris Hawkins – 0/3, K
Kellen Sweeney – 1/2, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB

Pitching:

Javier Avendano – W, 5 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K
Efrain Nieves – 2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 4 K
Arik Sikula – 1 IP, 3 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Efrain Nieves and Arik Sikula

Vancouver Canadians (25-17)

July 26 Game:

Vancouver scored in the top of the eighth to take the lead and eventually beat the Eugene Emeralds 4-3 on Friday night. Scott Silverstein had his best outing as a Canadian, going five innings and giving up just one unearned run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Matt Dermody followed him and picked up the win, giving up two runs (one unearned) on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts in two and two-thirds innings. Chuck Ghysels nailed down his sixth save with a shutout ninth. On offense, L.B. Dantzler had another great night, going two for four with a home run and a walk while Dan Arcila also had two hits and an RBI.

Hitting:

Chaz Frank – 0/4, BB, K, SB
David Harris – 0/4, K, E
Dickie Thon – 1/5, K
L.B. Dantzler – 2/4, R, HR, RBI, BB
Andy Fermin – 1/3, R
Seth Conner – 0/4, K, PB
Dan Arcila – 2/4, R, RBI, CS
Melvin Garcia – 1/3, R, RBI, BB, K
Ian Parmley – 1/4, 2 K

Pitching:

Scott Silverstein – 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 4 K
Matt Dermody – W, 2 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K
Matt Johnson – 1/3 IP
Chuck Ghysels – S, 1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: L.B. Dantzler

Bluefield Blue Jays (22-12)

Game postponed due to rain.

Roster Notes: RP Phil Kish was promoted to Bluefield.

Gulf Coast League Blue Jays (15-15)

Despite only getting three hits, the GCL Blue Jays took advantage of eight walks and beat the GCL Pirates 5-3 on Saturday. The Jays sent a plethora of pitchers to the mound following starter Jesus Tinoco who allowed a run on six hits and a walk (with four strikeouts) in his four innings. Tyler Gonzales allowed two runs off two walks in one inning but the rest – Jose Fernandez, Drew Permison and Canadian Sean Ratcliffe – combined for four shutout innings the rest of the way. Andres De Aza drove in two runs with a single and Sean Hurley drove in one with a double and also walked twice. Rowdy Tellez still isn’t hitting a lot but walked three times and scored twice. Lance Zawadzki, who is rehabbing with the GCL Jays, went oh for four.

Roster Note: RHP Phil Kish was promoted to Bluefield and 11^th round draft pick Jacob Brentz was assigned to the GCL.

Hitting:
Franklin Barreto – 1/3, 2B, BB
Lance Zawadzki – 0/4
Thomas Collins III – 0/3, BB, K
Rowdy Tellez – 0/1, 2 R, 3 BB, SB
Edwin Fuentes – 0/3, R, BB
Sean Hurley – 1/2, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, K, PO
Andres Sotillo – 0/2
Dan Jansen – 0/1, R
Andres De Aza – 1/4, 2 RBI, K
Trey Pascazi – 0/4, 2 K

Pitching:

Jesus Tinoco – 4 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Tyler Gonzales – W, 1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 BB
Jose Fernandez – 2 IP, 1 H
Drew Permison – 1 IP, 1 H
Sean Ratcliffe – S, 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

Jay Blue’s Player of the Game: Sean Hurley

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