Blue Jays Minor League Report: Deck McGuire making strides

Anthony Gose led the way with two hits including a triple and three RBIs as the Buffalo Bisons were able to hold on 6-5 against Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bisons (10-9)

The Buffalo Bisons nearly blew a big lead late in the game but Chad Jenkins was able to preserve the win for Liam Hendriks as the Herd won 6-5 over Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Hendriks has yet to walk a batter this season and has 21 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. John Stilson was the man responsible for nearly blowing the lead and entered the game with a five-run lead in the ninth but allowed four hits including a three-run home run to bring Scranton/WB within one. Anthony Gose had a big day at the plate and had two hits including a triple with three RBIs. Dan Johnson was also two for three with two walks while Chris Getz and Jared Godert both chipped in with two-hit, RBI nights.

Anthony Gose – 2/4, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, SB
Darin Mastroianni – 0/4, BB, 2 K
Chris Getz – 2/5, RBI, K
Dan Johnson – 2/3, 2 BB
Kevin Pillar – 1/5
Matt Tuiasosopo – 0/4, RBI, K
Steven Tolleson – 0/3, BB
Jared Godert – 2/4, RBI
Mike Nickeas – 0/4, 2 K

Liam Hendriks – 5.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 6 K (W)
Mickey Storey – 0.0 IP, 2 BB
Ryan Tepera – 1.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Rob Rasmussen – 1.0 IP, H, BB, 2 K
John Stilson – 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER
Chad Jenkins – 0.2 IP, H (S)

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (8-10)

Deck McGuire pitched a quality start and struck out eight batters as New Hampshire won over New Britain 5-3. McGuire was sporting a 7.71 ERA after his second start of the season but now has the Eastern League’s 14th best ERA at 2.54. His eight strikeouts was also season high. Jack Murphy broke a 3-3 tie in the eight inning with an RBI double while Andy Burns, Jon Berti and Mike Crouse all collected multiple hits. Brad Glenn had a hit with two walks and Jonathan Jones came through with a two-run single to score Burns and Crouse in the top of the second.

Jon Berti – 2/5, RBI, K
Brian Van Kirk – 1/3, 2 BB, CS
Ryan Schimpf – 0/5, 2 K
Brad Glenn – 1/3, 2 BB, K
Andy Burns – 3/5, K
Mike Crouse – 2/4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Gabe Jacobo – 0/5, K
Jack Murphy – 1/4, 2B, RBI, K
Jonathan Jones – 1/3, 2 RBI, BB

Deck McGuire – 7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (W)
Scott Gracey – 0.2 IP, K
Gregory Infante – 1.0 IP, H, K (S)

Dunedin Blue Jays (15-5)

Daniel Norris started but his defense wasn’t strong behind him and committed six errors (one from Norris himself) as the D-Jays lost 7-5 to Clearwater. Dwight Smith Jr. and Dalton Pompey continued to match each other hit for hit but Smith had two errors in left. Christian Lopes started slowly but had two hits for the second consecutive game and three of his last four hits have been for extra bases. Gustavo Pierre also had two hits and a double but was part of the problem on defense with two errors.

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

Daniel Norris – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Kramer Champlin – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, K (L)
Chad Girodo – 1.0 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, K
Ajay Meyer – 2.0 IP, 3 H, ER, K

Lansing Lugnuts (8-11)

Jason Leblebijian led the way with three hits and two RBIs and Kendall Graveman pitched yet another gem as the Lugs defeated Lake County 10-2. Santiago Nessy had two hits and two RBIs while Iam Parmley had two singles and two stolen bases. Mitch Nay drove in two runs in the first and has reached base safely in sixteen consecutive games (h/t Trey Wilson). Justin Atkison had an RBI double while Dawel Lugo finally collected a hit with a double of his own. Griffin Murphy struck out the side and the Lugs staff as a whole sat down 13 batters.

D.J. Davis – 0/4, BB, 3 K, SB
Dickie Thon – 0/4, BB, 2 K, SB
Matthew Dean – 1/5, 3 K
Mitch Nay – 1/5, 2 RBI, K
Dawel Lugo – 1/4, 2B, RBI, BB
Jason Leblebijian – 3/4, 2 RBI, K
Santiago Nessy – 2/4, 2 RBI
Justin Atkinson – 1/3, 2B, RBI, BB
Iam Parmley – 2/3, BB, K, 2 SB

Kendall Graveman – 6.0 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (W)
Phil Kish – 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K
Griffin Murphy – 1.0 IP, 3 K