Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Recap: Daniel Norris shines

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons (29-30)

The Bisons dropped below .500 with a 6-3 loss to Syracuse. RHP Kyle Drabek‘s line on the day wasn’t too bad. RHP Esmil Rogers, who was essentially let go by the Blue Jays, pitched 3.0 innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out twice as many batters than Kyle Drabek did in 5.0IP. Drabek will need to do better.

1B Dan Johnson had another good day for the Bisons as he hit his 2nd home run in as many days and drove in 2 runs. Recently promoted C A.J. Jimenez followed up his 2-hit performance from yesterday by driving in his 3rd RBI with his 2nd double. Jimenez seems to be heating up in AAA.

Darin Mastroianni– 0/4, K

A.J. Jimenez- 1/4, R, 2B(2), RBI(3)

Jared Goedert– 1/4, K

Dan Johnson 2/3, R, 2B(11), HR(13), 2RBI(43)

Brad Glenn– 0/4, K

Matt Tuiasosopo– 0/4, k

Ryan Goins– 1/3

Andy LaRoche– 1/3, 2B(4)

Jonathan Diaz– 1/1, 2B(2)

Munenori Kawasaki– 0/1

Kyle Drabek (L, 4-6)- 5.0IP, 6H, 3R, 2BB, 3K

Esmil Rogers- 3.0IP, 3H, R, 6K

Mike Zagurski– 0.1IP, H, 2R, 2BB, K

Ryan Rowland-Smith– 0.2, H, K

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (24-37)

The Fisher Cats fell victim to LHP Kyle Ryan (5-5, 3.56 ERA). Ryan pitched a complete game shut out. This was not the Fisher Cats day as their inept offence continues to struggle. Career minor leaguer RHP Shawn Hill struggled and gave up 5 runs over 4.2IP. The Fisher Cats bullpen was brilliant in relief of Hill by pitching shut out, 2-hit ball for 4.1IP. RP Arik Sikula, a personal favourite of mine, only needed 9 pitches as he pitched a perfect 9th to close out the game.

The Fisher Cats had 6 single, which accounted for all their hits. Three players had 2-hit games….doing the math in my head….that means the other 6 went hitless. INF Jorge Flores continues to impress since his promotion and might force Blue Jay management to see how he would fair against AAA pitching. Flores now has hits in all 7 games since his promotion and is hitting .333/.385/.458. He isn’t hitting for much power, but he has been clutch with runners in scoring position with a .500 average in 10 at-bats. Small but impressive sample size. Keep up the good work Flores.

Melky Mesa– 0/4, K

Jon Berti– 2/4, CS(7)

Jonathan Jones– 0/4

Mike Crouse– 0/4

Andy Burns– 0/3,

Mike McDade– 0/3, K

Kevin Nolan– 0/3

Pierce Rankin– 2/3

Jorge Flores- 2/3, CS(2)

Shawn Hill (L, 0-2)- 4.2IP, 7H, 5R, 2BB, K, HR

John Anderson– 2.1IP, H, BB, 3K

Tyler Ybarra– 1.0IP, H, BB, K

Arik Sikula- 1.0IP

Dunedin Blue Jays (42-19)

The D-Jays put yesterday’s loss behind them with a 4-2 victory. LHP Daniel Norris racked up 7 strikeouts over 5.0IP, while allowing 4 hits and 2 runs. Norris induced 6 ground outs and zero flyouts….way to keep the ball in the ground. Hey Jays management, I think it is time.

1B K.C. Hobson continues his recent hot streak by extending his 5-game hit streak with 2 hits (a double and a single) and driving in 3RBI. Hobson got a little help from his friends at the top of the order as OF Dwight Smith Jr. and OF Dalton Pompey each had 2-hit days. Pompey stole his 22nd base and collected his 4 triple.

Dwight Smith Jr.- 2/4, R, 2B(13), BB

Dalton Pompey- 2/4, 2R, 3B(4), BB, 2K

Marcus Knecht– 0/3, R, RBI(24), BB, 2K, SB(5)

K.C. Hobson- 2/3, 2B(11), 3RBI(51), BB

Derrick Chung– 0/4, K

Nick Baligod-0/4

Emilio Guerrero– 1/3, 2

Peter Mooney– 1/2, BB

Gustavo Pierre-1/4, 3K

Daniel Norris (W, 5-0)- 5.0IP, 4H, 2R, 2BB, 7K

Chad Girodo– 1.2IP, 3H, BB, 2k

Wil Browning– 1.0IP, H, K

Tony Davis– 0.1IP, K

Danny Barnes (S, 4)- 1.0IP, K

Lansing Lugnuts (28-33)

The Lugnuts were dropped 12-10 in an extra inning affair. The loss was the Lugnuts thrid loss in a row. The Lugnuts D didn’t help them with a 5 error day. OF Derrick Loveless and 3B Mitch Nay each had 2 errors. Loveless tries to make amends for his 2 errors with 2 outfield assists as he gunned down Josmar Cordero at home plate……twice.

Derrick Loveless was the only starters with a hit and OF D.J. Davis and C Jorge Saez only had one hit. All other starters at least a 2-hit night. There were no home runs hit by the Lugnuts, but their they did hit 12 singles, 5 doubles and 2 triples. D.J. Davis has his second strike out hat trick and now has 82 strike outs in 54 games. D.J. Davis was also thrown out for the 12th time and now has a sparkling 6 steals in 18 attempts. I think it is time to re-evaluate his running game.

D.J. Davis- 1/5, 3K, CS

Derrick Loveless- 0/6, 2K, 2E(4)

Matt Dean- 2/4, 3R, 2B(10), RBI(17)2BB

L.B. Dantzler– 3/5, R, 2B(7), RBI(30), BB

Dawel Lugo– 3/6, R, RBI(19), CS(1)

Mitch Nay- 2/5, 2R, 2B(9), 3B(3), 3RBI(34), 2E(12)

Jorge Saez- 1/5, R, 3B(1), RBI(20), 3K

Dickie Joe Thon– 3/4, R, 2RBI(26), CB(4)

Jason Leblebijian– 2/5, R, 2B(12,13), RBI(27), E(6)

Matt Dermondy- 5.0IP, 7H, 5R, 2BB, K

Phil Kish– 3.0IP, 7H, 3R, K, HR

Griffin Murphy– 2.0IP, 2H, R, BB

Scott Silverstein (L, 5-2)- 0.2IP, H, 3R, 4BB

Adaric Kelly– 0.1IP, K

Tomorrow’s Starters
Bisons- Liam Hendriks (5-0, 1.91 ERA, last start: ND, 8.0IP, 6H, 4R, HR, 6K)
NH- TBD…again
D-Jays- Kendall Gravemen (5-1, 3.26 ERA, last start: W, 6.0IP, 5H, 2R, 2BB, 4K)
Lugnuts- Shane Dawson (2-2, 3.68 ERA, last start: L, 4.0IP, 10H, 3R, HR, 3K)