Blue Jays Minor League Report: Dwight Smith Jr. destroys Cole Hamels twice

Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons (2-0)

Kyle Drabek started for the Herd but was hit hard in his five innings of work. He was throwing strikes but not missing many bats as even many of his outs were well-struck balls. Recently acquired Juan Francisco led the offense with three hits and two home runs including the game’s winning blast, which came in the top of the 13th. Dan Johnson had a long ball of his own while Munenori Kawasaki had two hits including a double. Bobby Korecky and Neil Wagner shut the door late in the game and combined to pitch five scoreless frames.

Anthony Gose – 1/5, 2 K
Chris Getz – 1/6, 2 K
Kevin Pillar 1/6
Dan Johnson – 2/5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K, SF
Matt Tuiasosopo – 1/5, BB, 2 K
Juan Francisco – 3/6, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 K
Andy LaRoche – 1/6, 2 K
Mike Nickeas – 0/5, BB, 2 K, SB
Munenori Kawasaki – 2/6, 2B, RBI, K

Kyle Drabek – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, K
Chad Jenkins – 2.0 IP, 1 H, K
Ryan Tepera – 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB (BS)
Bobby Korecky – 4.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Neil Wagner – 1.0 IP, 1 H, K (SV)

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (2-2)

Ryan Schimpf continued to swing a hot bat but Scott Copeland and John Anderson were beat up for a combined 11 runs (nine earned) as New Hampshire was downed by Trenton. Gabe Jacobo doubled while Jon Berti, Brad Glenn and Peter Mooney added base hits. Tyler Ybarra and Gregory Infante pitched much better than Copeland and Anderson to finish the game.

Kenny Wilson – 0/3
Jon Berti – 1/4
Andy Burns – 0/4, K
Brad Glenn – 1/4
Ryan Schimpf – 1/3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
Gabe Jacobo – 1/4, 2B
Jonathan Jones – 0/3, BB
Peter Mooney – 1/4, RBI
Aaron Munoz – 0/3, 2 K

Scott Copeland – 3.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 6 ER, BB, K (L)
John Anderson – 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Tyler Ybarra – 2.0 IP, BB, 2 K
Gregory Infante – 1.0 IP, K

Dunedin Blue Jays (3-1)

Dwight Smith Jr. homered twice off Cole Hammels and Daniel Norris pitched five strong in his season debut as Dunedin won over Clearwater 5-2. Matt Newman had two hits and an outfield assist while Derrick Chung and Marcus Knecht added doubles. Blake McFarland, Chad Girodo an Arik Sikula pitched well in relief to preserve the victory.

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

Daniel Norris – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 K (W)
Blake McFarland – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 K
Chad Girodo – 1.0 IP, 1 H, K
Arik Sikula – 1.0 IP, K (SV)

Lansing Lugnuts (1-3)

Dickie Thon, Mitch Nay and Matt Dean all had two hit afternoons but Lansing couldn’t hold on to a one-run lead late in the game and lost 2-1 to Lakeland. Dawel Lugo earned his first knock of the season and drove in the Lugnuts only run, who stranded 12 baserunners and didn’t muster a single extra base hit.

D.J. Davis – 0/2, 3 BB, 2 K
Dickie Thon – 2/5, K, CS
Carlos Ramirez – 0/4, BB
Mitch Nay – 2/5
Dawel Lugo – 1/4, RBI, 2 K
Matthew Dean – 2/4, 2 K
Jason Leblebijian – 0/4
Derrick Loveless – 1/4, K

Kendall Graveman 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Griffin Murphy – 1.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Bray Dragmire – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB
Jimmy Cordero – 0.1 IP, 1 H, K