Blue Jays Minor League Recap: Bullpens Collapse

Welcome to the Blue Jays Minor League Recap for Wednesday, May 14, 2014.

Buffalo Bisons vs Gwinnett Braves

I was really looking forward to checking in on Ricky Romero‘s start. I still hold out hope that he can return. I know, I know. Anyway, the Bisons’ game was postponed due to rain. They’ll make up the game as part of a doubeheader on Thursday.

New Hampshire FisherCats- 4   vs Reading Fightin Phils- 5

W: Hector Neris  L: Randy Boone  SV: Tyler Knigge

The FisherCats suffered from a case of bullpen collapse as Deck McGuire had his very nice start erased. The FisherCats had some late inning dramatics to force extra innings. But it wasn’t enough and they lost their fourth in a row.

Deck McGuire went 7 1/3 strong innings. He allowed just 2 earned runs and struck out 8 on 108 pitches. With his team up 2-0, McGuire left with 2 runners on. Unfortunately, Tyler Ybarra couldn’t keep those runners form scoring and by the end of the 8th, the FisherCats were down 3-2. The Phils added another run in the top of the ninth. Then, the drama started.

The scene was something out of the backyard when your friends would set the stage: 2 out, bottom of the ninth…you know how it goes.

Anyway, with 2 out, Mike Crouse hit a solo shot to bring his team within one. Gabe Jacobo followed Crouse’s shot with one of his own. The back-to-back jacks tied the game up at 4 and sent it to the 10th.

That is where the bullpen gave the game right back to the Phils. Randy Boone allowed 2 hits and 1 run. The FisherCats were unable to muster any more drama and lost.

Jon Berti-2B- 2/5, 2B
Kenny Wilson-CF- 1/3, R, 2B, BB, K
A.J. Jimenez-C- 0/4, BB, K
Brad Glenn-RF- 0/4, BB, 3K
Ryan Schimpf-DH- 0/4, 2K
Andy Burns-3B- 1/4, R
Mike Crouse-LF- 1/4, R, HR, RBI, K
Gabe Jacobo-1B- 1/4, R, HR, RBI, 2K
Kevin Nolan-SS- 0/2, 2BB, K

Deck McGuire- 7.1 IP, 4H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8K
Tyler Ybarra (Blown Save)- 1.2 IP, 2H, 2 ER, BB, 2K, 2 HR
Randy Boone- (L)- 1 IP, 2H, R, ER, BB, K

Dunedin Blue Jays- 2   vs Palm Beach Cardinals- 9

W: Thomas Lee  L: Ben White

Ben White seemed to be flying through the first 4 innings. He had the shut out going. Then he ran into trouble in the 5th. He gave up 3 runs, the lead and was pulled. Chad Girodo came on with the bases loaded in the 5th and shut the door and keep the score to just 3-2. But, that was the only bright spot in the performance of the bullpen. After the 3 runs in the 5th inning, the Baby Jays gave up 4 in the 6th and 2 in the 7th. The 9 runs would be all the Cardinals needed.

Offensively, Emilio Guerrero hit his 4th homerun of the season in the 4th inning. Nick Baligod collected 3 hits. Dwight Smith Jr would add  double. Quite simply, the Blue Jays could not get anything going.

Dwight Smith Jr.- LF- 2/4, 2B
Dalton Pompey-CF- 0/4, K
Matt Newman-RF- 1/4, 2 K
K.C. Hobson-1B- 0/3, BB
Emilio Guererro-SS- 1/4, HR, RBI, K
Kellen Sweeney-3B- 0/4, K
Nick Baligod-DH- 3/4, R
Michael Reeves-C- 1/4, K
Jorge Flores-2B- 1/4, RBI

Ben White- 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Chad Girodo– 0.1, H, 3 ER, BB
Danny Barnes– 1 IP, 2 H, ER
Justin Jackson– 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K
Kramer Champlin– 1 IP, H

Lansing Lugnuts- 3   vs Bowling Green Hot Rods- 4

W: Ian Kendall (3-1, 1.42) L: Brady Dragmire (1-3, 1.50)

The Lugnuts dropped to .500 on the season with a loss to the Hot Rods. Despite shutting out the Hot Rods for the first 4 innings, the Lugnuts could not hold on to their 1-0 lead. Jeremy Gabryszwski started the game for the Lugnuts and went 6 innings allowing just 1 earned run on 5 hits. When he left the game, he was in line for the win. But, Alonzo Gonzalez coughed it up going one inning and giving up a 2-run shot to Yoel Araujo. Brady Dragmire would give up another run in the ninth to allow the Hot rods the walk off win.

Offensively, the Lugnuts were led by Jorge Saez and his 2 RBI double. Derrick Loveless also chipped in 2 hits. There was not much else as the Lugnuts only collected 7 hits in total. They also drew 6 walks. But, when you go 1-10 with runners in scoring position, you aren’t helping yourself.

D.J. Davis-CF- 1/4, BB
Derrick Loveless-RF- 2/2, R, 2BB
Mitch Nay-3B- 1/4, K
L.B. Dantzler-1B- 1/3, R, BB
Dawel Lugo-SS- 1/4
Jason Leblebijian-2B- 0/3, K
Jorge Saez-C- 1/3, 2B, 2RBI, BB, 2K
Chaz Frank-LF- 0/3, BB
Seth Conner-DH- 0/4, K

Jeremy Gabryszwski– 6 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, K
Alonzo Gonzalez– (Blown Save)1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, K, HR
Brady Dragmire- (L) 1 IP, 2 H, ER