Blue Jays Minor League Report: Full Season Opening Day

Buffalo Bisons (1-0)

The Buffalo Bisons tacked on four early runs with two out in the first inning and never looked back, taking down the Rochester Red Wings 6-3 on Opening Day at Coca-Cola Stadium. Marcus Stroman started for the Herd and threw 73 pitches over four innings, giving up two earned runs. Liam Hendriks was credited with the win and tossed two perfect frames while Neil Wagner earned a four-out save to finish the game.

Dan Johnson walked four times, Chris Getz collected two base hits and Matt Tuiasosopo was three for four in the win. Anthony Gose was picked off attempting to steal in the first but also had two hits including a double. Kevin Pillar and Munenori Kawasaki were a combined 0 for 9 (but at least combined for only 1 K).

Anthony Gose – 2/4, 2B, BB, K
Kevin Pillar – 0/5
Matt Tuiasosopo3/4, RBI
Dan Johnson – 0/0, 4 BB
Andy LaRoche – 1/4, RBI, K
Chris Getz – 2/4, RBI, K
Jared Goedert – 0/3, BB
Mike Nickeas – 1/4, 2 RBI, K
Munenori Kawasaki – 0/4, K

Marcus Stroman – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Liam Hendriks – 2.0 IP, 1 K (W)
Marcus Walden – 1.0 IP, 1 H
John Stilson – 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Neil Wagner – 1.1 IP, 3 K (SV)

Stroman talked about his start to reporters after the game and said he has been focusing on keeping the ball down. He had five ground outs and two airs outs yesterday afternoon.

Video courtesy of MiLB.com

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (1-0)

Aaron Sanchez made his Double-A debut and pitched five scoreless innings as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats shutout the Trenton Thunder 6-0. It was a great start for Sanchez who showed the same premium stuff he had in spring training and only faced two batters with runners in scoring position (once because of a passed ball by catcher A.J. Jimenez). Kenny Wilson finished the night with two hits (including a triple) and three RBIs while Jimenez, Ryan Schimpf and Kevin Nolan also had two hit nights.

Kenny Wilson – 2/4, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 K
A.J. Jimenez – 2/4, RBI, BB, K
Andy Burns – 0/5, K
Brad Glenn – 1/4, RBI, BB,
Gabe Jacobo – 0/4
Ryan Schimpf – 2/4, 2B, 2 K
Kevin Nolan – 2/4, RBI, K
Mike Crouse – 0/3, BB, 2 K
Jon Berti – 1/4, 3B, K

Aaron Sanchez – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K (W)
Casey Lawrence – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K
Scott Gracey – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 4 K

Dunedin Blue Jays (1-0)

Matt Boyd threw seven strong innings and didn’t walk a batter as the Dunedin Blue Jays blanked the Clearwater Threshers 7-0. Chad Girodo impressed out of the bullpen and is turning heads with the amount of movement on his pitches.

Jun 19, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; Oregon State Beavers pitcher Matt Boyd (31) throws against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY SportsDwight Smith Jr. hit the ground running in his FSL debut and had four hits, all of them singles. K.C. Hobson had a double and three RBIs while Dalton Pompey and Emilio Guerrero also had a base hit each in their High-A debuts.

Dwight Smith Jr. – 4/5
Dalton Pompey – 1/4, RBI, BB, K
K.C. Hobson – 2/4, 2B, 3 RBI
Marcus Knecht – 1/3, 2B, RBI
Matt Newman – 0/3, RBI, K
Gustavo Pierre – 1/4, 2 K
Derrick Chung – 0/3, K
Emilio Guerrero – 1/4, K
Christian Lopes – 0/3, RBI, BB, K

Matt Boyd – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 K (W)
Chad Girodo – 1.0 IP, 2 H, K
Blake McFarland – 1.0 IP

Lansing Lugnuts (0-0)

Scheduled off-day Lansing played their annual cross-town matchup against Michigan State. Jay Blue has updates from that game at Blue Jays From Away.