August 3 Minor League Report: Abbreviated Edition

Buffalo Bisons (58-55)

June 8, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Mets catcher Mike Nickeas (4) warms up before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bisons beat Boston’s top team, the Pawtucket Red Sox, 5-3 on Saturday despite making more errors and being out hit ten to five. Mike Nickeas hit his first home run of the season to win the game in the bottom of the ninth after Ricardo Nanita doubled home Kevin Pillar to score the tying run. Mauro Gomez went two for three with a double and an RBI and Anthony Gose managed to get on base once and steal his thirteenth base of the season. Thad Weber had a strong start, going seven innings and giving up two runs on eight hits and one walk while registering seven strikeouts.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (54-57)

The Richmond Flying Squirrels outpitched and outhit the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to down the Jays’ minor league affiliate 5-0. The Fisher Cats only had three hits, one each for Kevin Nolan, Gabe Jacobo and Tommy Manzella. Marcus Walden had one bad inning, giving up four runs in the third, but was otherwise excellent, giving up eight hits, walking one and striking out nine over seven innings.

Dunedin Blue Jays (53-53)

The Dunedin Blue Jays barely avoided being no-hit in a 7-0 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals. Matt Newman‘s single to open the ninth inning was the entire offense that the Blue Jays could manage on the night. Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Tony Davis were charged with six of the seven runs with Bibens-Dirkx having an uncharacteristically mediocre start, giving up four runs (three earned) over five and two-thirds innings.

Lansing Lugnuts (48-62)

The Lansing Lugnuts scored in only two innings but it was enough to defeat the Fort Wayne Tin Caps 5-3. Ben White had another strong start, lowering his ERA to 3.56 by allowing three runs (two earned) over seven innings and gave up six hits and three walks and struck out four. The Lugnuts scored their five runs on eleven hits (and six walks) with Chris Hawkins leading the way with a three-for-five night and Dwight Smith, Jr. and Carlos Ramirez getting a pair of hits each.

Vancouver Canadians (28-22)

Ladner, B.C. native Tom Robson made his second successful start for the Vancouver Canadians and led them to an 8-2 win over teh Hillsboro Hop. In what is becoming his fashion, Robson went six innings, giving up just one run on four hits and a walk and struck out six. L.B. Dantzler returned to the lineup to go two for four with a double and an RBI while Andy Fermin went two for four with three runs scored and two RBI. Catcher Michael Reeves drove in a pair with a single and center fielder Chaz Frank went two for two with a double, triple, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI.

Bluefield Blue Jays (29-13)

The Bluefield Blue Jays continue to make their opponents look silly after a 14-6 win over the Elizabethton Twins. The offense scored in all of the innings but the fifth and the seventh and Dawel Lugo had a monster night. Lugo went five for five with a double, a home run, two runs scored and thre RBI to lead the team. Mitch Nay went three for five with his fourth home run and D.J. Davis added his fourth home run as well as part of a two for five night. Davis added a triple, a walk and a stolen base to his total but struck out three times. Derrick Loveless also had two hits including a double and added a walk. The pitching started of well with Jairo Labourt going four solid innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts but Joe Lovecchio gave up three runs (one earned) in two innings and Mark Biggs gave up two more runs in one inning. Francisco Gracesqui wrapped things up by going two innings without giving up a run.

GCL Blue Jays (16-21)

The GCL Blue Jays fell to the GCL Tigers 8-3 on Saturday. Corey Gorman was roughed up just a bit, giving up three runs (two earned) over his five innings on six hits and a walk. Jacob Brentz had a much better second outing, going a scoreless inning and had two walks and two strikeouts. Matthew Smoral continued to struggle, only getting one out but allowing four runs (three earned) on just one hit, one walk and two hit batters, while Kamakani Usui, who relieved Smoral with the bases loaded, allowed all three runners to score. The batters only scored three runs despite picking up fourteen hits. John Tolisano, rehabbing from New Hampshire went three for four with a walk and Rowdy Tellez had his first real breakout game, going three for five with a run and an RBI. Thomas Collins III had another two-hit game while Gabriel Cenas continues to be hot, going two for three with a double and driving in a run.

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