Blue Jays Minor League Report: Dalton Pompey drives the D-Jays

Dan Johnson playing first base for the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning of the spring training exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons (9-7)

With both Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks rehabbing for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Bisons’ starter Marcus Stroman was hit hard and took the loss after two of his inherited runners crossed the plate in the sixth. He was able to work out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth and overall he did a good job executing when he had to in order to keep his team in the game. Dan Johnson had two hits including a two-run homer while Steve Tolleson also cleared the fence and walked twice but it wasn’t enough as the Herd fell 4-3.

Anthony Gose – 0/4, 3 K
Steven Tolleson – 1/2, HR, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB
Chris Getz – 2/4
Dan Johnson – 2/4, HR, 2 RBIs, K
Matt Tuiasosopo – 0/3, BB, 2 K
Kevin Pillar – 1/4, K
Jared Godert – 0/4, 2 K
Erik Kratz – 0/4, K
Munenori Kawasaki – 0/3 K

Marcus Stroman – 5.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 K (L)
Rob Rasmussen – 1.0 IP, H, BB, K (BS)
Bobby Korecky – 1.2 IP, BB, K

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6-9)

This one took a while but the ‘Cats were able to claw their way back from a 4-1 deficit to win 7-4 in 14 innings. Brad Glenn smashed two home runs and knocked in what turned into the game’s winning run in the top of the 14th. Jon Berti had four hits including two doubles while Ryan Schimpf continued to rake with two doubles. Scott Copeland started and allowed all four runs but the bullpen stepped up by pitching 9.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Kenny Wilson – 2/7, 2B, 2 K, SB
Jon Berti – 4/7, 2 2B, RBI, K, CS
A.J. Jimenez – 0/2, BB
Jack Murphy – 0/2, BB, K
Brad Glenn – 3/6, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Ryan Schimpf – 2/5, 2B, 2 BB, K
Andy Burns – 0/6, BB
Gabe Jacobo – 0/6, BB, K
Mike Crouse – 0/4, BB, 2 K
Jonathan Jones – 0/5, K

Scott Copeland – 4.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, BB, 5 K
John Anderson – 2.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 K
Tyler Ybarra – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Tony Davis – 3.0 IP, H, BB, 3 K
Scott Gracey – 1.0 IP, H (W)
Gregory Infante – 1.0 IP (S)

Dunedin Blue Jays (14-3)

Dalton Pompey and Dwight Smith Jr. both continued to swing the bat well and Pompey collected his ninth stolen base of the season (2nd in the Florida State League) as D-Jays took down Lakeland 5-3 in extras. Smith and Pompey both got on base in the top of the tenth before Marcus Knecht cashed them in with a game-winning single. Taylor Cole pitched a strong game and the bullpen followed up with four scoreless innings to preserve the victory. Emilio Guerrero also had two hits including a double and has quietly put up a .961 OPS over his past ten games.

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

Taylor Cole – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 9 K
Ajay Meyer – 2.0 IP, BB, 2 K
Chad Girodo – 1.0 IP, K (W)
Arik Sikula – 1.0 IP, H, 2 K (S)

Lansing Lugnuts (5-11)

Matt Dean and Jason Leblebijian had two extra base hits each while Mitch Nay had three RBIs, including a sac fly in the seventh that turned into the game’s winning run, as the Lugs won over Lake County 7-6. Santiago Nessy had two hits to go along with 2 RBIs but also allowed his fourth passed ball of the season. Alberto Tirado and Jairo Labourt piggybacked per usual but Labourt was only able to get one out. Tirado was better but did walk three and allowed a home run. The bullpen pitched well led by Roberto Espinoza who struck out five of the twelve batters he faced.

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

Alberto Tirado – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Jairo Labourt – 0.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB
Roberto Espinoza – 2.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K
Griffin Murphy – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K (W)
Scott Silverstein – 1.0 IP, H (S)

All stats courtesy of MiLB.com.