Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Close Games All Around

The Blue Jays minor league teams finished June with a 2-4 showing. There were lots of chances to be more successful on Tuesday evening. There were some close games and extra innings that could have seen a different fortune for the system. Let’s take a look at how all 6 teams fared.

Buffalo Bisons- 1 vs Gwinnett Braves- 4

The Bisons (37-41) played a tight one that extended to extra innings Tuesday evening. It was quite the pitchers duel until the 13th inning when the Braves put up a three spot, for which the Bisons had no answer. Randy Wolf went 7 strong innings. He scattered 5 hits to go along with his 5 strike outs in a 93 pitch effort. He did not walk a batter. His ERA sits at 2.81 on the season. He’s been quite the surprise for the Bisons thus far. On this night, it looked like the Herd would walk away with a 1-0 victory, but Blake McFarland gave up a run in the top of the 9th to blow the save. He served up a pinch hit home run to Cedric Hunter. The rest of the ‘pen was decent enough in extras until Greg Infante allowed 3 runs while getting one out in the 13th inning.

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The offense was rather quiet through out regulation time. Munenori Kawasaki picked up the most hist (2 singles) as a late substitution at second. In fact, the only extra base hit came from Matt Hague; a double. It wasn’t a very notable performance form the lineup as they struck out 13 times on the evening. It is also worth noting that Steve Tolleson picked up his first hit since returning to action two days ago.

New Hampshire FisherCats- 7 vs Portland Sea Dogs- 4

The Fisher Cats rocked the home team for 4 runs in the 3rd and would add a few extra in 3 other innings to take the game and inch closer to .500 at 36-39. Playing with his friend, Dwight Smith Jr, Dalton Pompey had another good night at the plate. He went 2 for 3 with a run, an RBI, a walk and a strike out. Smith went 2 for 5 with a double. But this night belonged to K.C. Hobson who jacked his 10th home run for a grand slam in the 3rd.

The starter, Joel Pineiro looked good early on, but ran into trouble in the 5th where he gave up 4 of his own runs. In total, he’d go 7 innings with 6 hits, 4 earned runs, a walk and 2 Ks. Cory Burns (Hold) and Dustin Antolin (Save) rounded out the game without giving up a run. The entire pitching staff only gave up 6 hits and a single walk all night. The Sea Dogs lineup also featured Shane Victorino, who is trying to make his way back the Boston Red Sox lineup.

Dunedin Blue Jays- 1 vs Fort Myers Miracle- 2

The Blue Jays were visiting the Miracle, but didn’t find much hospitality. They were shut out until the 8th inning. They couldn’t muster much offense on this night with just 7 hits scattered throughout. Anthony Alford did have a good night at the plate, though. He went 2 for 4 with a walk and a K. As well, Rowdy Tellez picked up another hit and 2 walks to bring his average up to .435. J.D. Davis drove in the only run for the Blue Jays. Despite the weak offensive showing, what really hurt the club on this night is the 3 errors committed that led to the 2 runs of the ball game. Without those errors, there would have been a shutout.

The starter, Murphy Smith went 5.2 innings, giving up 6 hits, 2 runs (0 earned), one walk and piled up 7 strike outs! It’s too bad his defense let him down. Brad Allen threw 2.1 scoreless innings while picking up 3 K.

Lansing Lugnuts- 5 vs South Bend Cubs- 4

The Lugnuts looked to be cruising through the early and middle stages of the contest on the back of starter, Sean Reid-Foley, who managed ot keep the Cubs off the board despite having giving up 7 hits. He also struck out 6. When Reid- Foley left the game after 5 innings, he was up 4-1. The bullpen nearly cost him a victory as Tim Mayza gave up 3 runs in his 2 innings of work that pulled the Cubs within 1. But, Jose Fernandez came in and shut the door to pick up the save.

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The offense was spread out throughout this lineup. 5 different players had RBI. Second baseman, Tim Locastro picked up 2 hits as did DH, Chris Carlson. Locastro also swiped his 30th base! David Harris hit his 1st home run in the 4th inning. Ryan McBroom picked up his 49th RBI.

Vancouver Canadians- 2 vs Hillsboro Hops- 3

The Canadians (6-7) could have fared much better on this night. The contest went to the 11th inning even though the home team had several opportunities to take the lead.

They were shut out until the 6th inning. They picked up 9 hits. But that is not the impressive part. The Canadians actually worked the Hops for 10 walks. On a night when you walk more than you hit, you’d think your team would score more than just 2 times. But, thanks to a 1-11 showing with runners in scoring position and 15 left on base, the Canadians had trouble scoring runs. SS, J.C. Cardenas worked Hops pitching for 4 walks of his own. LF, Austin Davis picked up 3 hits.

20 year old righty, Francisco Rios went 5.1 innings giving up 5 hits with 2 walks and 5 K. He left the game with his team down 2, but picked up the no decision. The bullpen managed to keep their team in the contest, waiting for the offense to take control. But, time ran out in the 11th when Michael Kraft surrendered 2 hits, 2 walks and the winning run.

As the only Blue Jays minor league team based in Canada, the Canadians will host the Spokane Indians on Canada Day, where they have a fireworks celebration planned. The Canada Day starter has not been announced.

Bluefield Blue Jays- 4 vs Burlington Royals- 5

The Blue Jays lost a game where they weren’t blown out, but rather the Royals pecked away at the birds throughout the contest. Starter, Dalton Rodriguez gave up 8 hits over 5 innings that led to 4 runs (3 earned). He also gave up a walk and collected a single K. As stated, t wasn’t a bad performance, but when you give up 8 hits in 5 innings, the runs will pile up. It didn’t help that his team cost him a run form a throwing error from third baseman, Carl Wise.

Offensively, the Blue Jays had their chances. They collected 8 hits and 7 walks. They would go 4 for 16 with runners in scoring position, though. CF, Rodrigo Orozco led the way with a double and 2 RBI. Wise and 1B, Edwin Fuentes piecked up 2 hits each.

Next: A Blue Jays Canada Day Video Journey