Afternoon Minor League Recap

Two of the Jays’ minor league affiliates, the Las Vegas 51s and the Dunedin Blue Jays, played early games today, so here’s a complete rundown of what took place, including an epic come-from-behind walk-off win in Vegas and dominant pitching in Dunedin.

In what I hope to have as a daily update for you, the minor league recaps are designed to not only keep you up to date with everything concerning the Jays’ affiliates, but also to provide it all in one quick and easy place, saving you the hassle of sifting through team websites, box scores, and standings.

Check back tomorrow morning for Fisher Cats and Lugnuts rundowns of games being played tonight.

Wins/Losses: 22-18 | Streak:  W2 | 2nd in PCL Pacific South (4.0 GB)

Las Vegas 51s 9, Round Rock Express 8

Despite being outhit 15-8 overall and down by five runs with only six outs to play, the 51s scored three runs in each of the final two frames to pull off a dramatic, come-from-behind win versus the Round Rock Express this afternoon, improving to 22-18 on the season.

Hitting:

Brett Lawrie continued to show why so many Jays fans are pining for him to be called up, finishing a double short of the cycle and going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs, and one walk. Both of his RBIs came with two outs, including his ninth home run of the season in the third inning.

Lawrie wound up scoring on a sacrifice fly after tripling to start the eighth inning, before Jason Lane hit a two-run homer to cut the Express’ lead to 8-6. Then in the ninth, Dewayne Wise, pinch-hitting for catcher Ryan Budde, led off with a solo home run to make it an 8-7 game, and Travis Snider hit a clutch RBI double to tie the game after Mike McCoy and Lawrie walked before him.

Then, after the Express intentionally walked David Cooper, Adam Loewen – who finished 1-for-3 on the day with two walks – drew a bases-loaded walk to cap the rally and give the 51s the win in walk-off fashion!

Pitching:

Starter Mike MacDonald struggled, allowing five earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in six innings, raising his season ERA to 6.37. Wil Ledezma pitched a scoreless seventh.

After allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning, Sean Henn was relieved by Willie Collazo, who closed out the eighth inning. Danny Farquhar came in for the top of the ninth with the 51s down 8-6 and allowed three straight one-out singles before getting a pivotal, inning-ending double play to earn the win.

Notes:

• Lawrie’s two RBIs beefed up his total to a team-high 31, impressive considering he usually hits second in the order
• It was an interesting day for 51s pitchers, as they committed two errors on pickoff attempts, a wild pitch, and a HBP. Out of the 15 hits they allowed, though, only four were for extra bases

Wins/Losses: 21-18 | Streak: W3 | 3rd in FSL North (6.0 GB)

Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Jupiter Hammerheads 0

The D-Jays improved to 21-18 on the season after their pitchers combined to throw a four-hit shutout this afternoon at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in front of 2,274 fans.

Hitting:

First-round pick Justin Jackson has been heating up recently, and went 3-for-4, raising his season batting average to .300. Cleanup hitter Brad Glenn went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs, including a solo home run in the second inning, his 11^th of the season. Sean Ochinko ventured closer to the Mendoza line with a 2-for-4 day, including a run scored and an RBI, and Ivan Contreras hit a bases loaded, RBI single.

Pitching:

Deck McGuire showed again why the Jays were so high on him and his advanced pitching repertoire, allowing just two hits over seven scoreless innings, walking none and striking out six, while retiring the first 11 batters he faced. He trimmed his season ERA down to 2.32 in eight games (seven starts) and has now logged 39 strikeouts in 42.2 innings this season. Over his last three starts (18 innings), McGuire has allowed just one earned run and, should he continue at this rate, eventually crack New Hampshire’s rotation before the end of the season.

Chris Malone came in to pitch a perfect eighth and now has a 1.93 ERA in 5 appearances (4.2 innings) for the D-Jays this season. Malone, 27, was the main piece the Jays received in the trade that sent Brad Emaus to the Rockies and spent the beginning of the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Matt Wright came in to pitch the ninth and allowed two hits with one strikeout.

Notes:

• Glenn’s 11 home runs are tied for the most in the entire Florida State League, and he has actually hit more home runs than doubles (10) so far this season
• Glenn also ranks third in the FSL with a .603 slugging percentage

-JM

Like what you read and want to stay informed on all updates here at Jays Journal? Follow Mat and I on Twitter (@JaysJournal and @bigja12), “Like” our Facebook page, or grab our RSS feed!