Blue Jays Minor League Report: Max Pentecost returns with a bang

Toronto Blue Jays minor league scores and analysis for games played on Thursday, May 12th

Buffalo Bisons (16-18)   –   3
Durham Bulls (15-20)   –   0

The Blue Jays’ triple-A affiliate in Buffalo continued their march towards .500 on the back of starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc.

Over six and a third innings of shutout ball, LeBlanc scattered nine hits but did not issue a single walk. With his fourth win of the season (4-1), LeBlanc moves his ERA down to 1.88. Right-hander Ben Rowen struck out two in one and two-thirds innings before handing off to David Aardsma for his fifth save of the season.

Dalton Pompey extended his hitting streak to five games with an RBI single while shortstop Jio Mier went 2-for-2 with a double, walk and two runs scored. Roberto Hernandez is scheduled to pitch for the Bisons on Friday night as they open their series against the Norfolk Tides.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (15-17)   –   5
Hartford Yard Goats (23-10)   –   3

Rowdy Tellez is heating up. The Blue Jays’ top power prospect launched another home run in New Hampshire’s win over the first-place Yard Goats, part of a 2-for-4 day.

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The top of the lineup was clicking with Roemon Fields, Jon Berti, and Dwight Smith Jr. all going 2-for-5. This gives the leadoff man Fields a .268 average for the season and improves Berti’s mark to .309.

On the mound, John Anderson allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings, striking out four. Chris Smith (3 K, 1 IP) and Danny Barnes followed with clean innings of relief before Wil Browning recorded his sixth save of the season.

Dunedin Blue Jays (14-19)   –   2
Clearwater Threshers (22-11)   –   5

Francisco Rios made his debut with the D-Jays, allowing four earned runs on nine hits over five and a third innings. The right-hander struck out six batters. Jackson Lowery took it the rest of the way, allowing one run on a lone hit and two walks over two and two-thirds.

Top prospect Anthony Alford walked twice in an 0-for-2 day, stealing his third base of the season. Emilio Guerrero doubled and stole a base while Jason Leblebijian went 2-for-3 with a walk.

Lansing Lugnuts (17-4)   –   5
South Bend Cubs (19-13)   –   0

Max Pentecost is back. In his first at-bats since 2014, the catching prospect (playing DH) went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs batted in. In an effort to build up his reps at the plate, the Blue Jays may choose to DH Pentecost often or give him some time at first base.

Right-fielder Josh Almonte doubled in two runs for the Lugnuts while Andrew Guillotte singled, stole a bag and scored from the leadoff spot, bringing his 2015 average up to .315.

Next: Inside Pillar's lineup spot splits early in 2016

Jon Harris was excellent again for Lansing, allowing just two hits over five innings of shutout ball. The right-hander threw 72 pitches, walking two and striking out two. He was piggybacked out of the bullpen by Angel Perdomo who was absolutely dominant, striking out seven batters over four innings of shutout, no-hit ball.

On Friday night, left-handed pitching prospect Ryan Borucki makes his first start for the Lugnuts after being moved down a level from Dunedin.