Blue Jays Minor League recap: Ryan Borucki struggles in debut

Toronto Blue Jays Minor League roundup for games played on Saturday, April 9

Buffalo Bisons (1-1)   –   3
Pawtucket Red Sox (1-1)   –   1

The Bisons and triple-A Sox played a Saturday double-header of seven-inning affairs to catch up on their schedules after Thursday’s opener was postponed. Buffalo got a very strong start from left-hander Scott Diamond, who lasted 5.0 innings while allowing one run on just four hits while striking out five.

Pat Venditte struck out the side in the sixth before closer David Aardsma came in to record his first save of the season in the seventh and final inning.

Domonic Brown led the way on offence in the first game, starting in left field and launching his first home run of the International League season to go along with a double. Casey Kotchman added a double and single of his own, driving in the other two Bisons’ runs. Watch for Kotchman to put up some big numbers this season in triple-A.

Buffalo Bisons (1-2)   –   3

Pawtucket Red Sox (2-1)   –   4

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Pawtucket rode three innings of shutdown relief from Robby Scott to a win in the second half of the double-header with Sam Travis hitting the walk-off single.

Chad Jenkins started for Buffalo, but was chased after allowing five hits and two earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Chad Girodo gave the Bisons 1.2 innings in relief, allowing just a hit and a walk, before Ryan Tepera and Pat McCoy (0-1) allowed one run each.

Humberto Quintero doubled and singled while Domonic Brown recorded another two RBI. Andy Burns, who impressed with a big spring, started at shortstop after playing third base in the early game.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (0-1)
Binghamton Mets (1-0)

Another postponement for the Blue Jays double-A affiliate, as it was snowing in Binghamton. Isn’t April baseball great?

Dunedin Blue Jays (2-1)   –   5
Clearwater Threshers (1-2)   –   9

The D-Jays took their first loss of the seasons and it wasn’t a pretty debut for our number 17 prospect Ryan Borucki. The projectable left-hander allowed eight earned runs over 4.1 innings, walking two and striking out just one.

Borucki was followed by Carlos Ramirez (1 ER over 2.2 IP) and Matt Dermody, who struck out four over his 2.0 innings of work.

J.D. Davis was the offensive star, going 2-for-4 with a home run, double, and three RBI. Richard Urena added a single and double of his own, keeping his average at .500 on the young season.

Next: Jays right-hander Copeland sold to Korean team

Lansing Lugnuts (0-1)   –   4
Great Lakes Loons (1-0)   –   5

Opening day finally arrived for the Lugs after two postponements, but top pitching prospect Jonathan Harris struggled mightily in his first outing of 2016.

The 2015 first-round pick couldn’t escape the first inning, allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks. Our Braydon Holmyard spoke with Harris in Dunedin this spring, and keeping in mind that temperatures were frigid for this one, don’t put too much stock into his line.

Josh DeGraaf followed Harris with 2.1 perfect innings before handing over to Tayler Saucedo (3.0 IP, L, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and Ryan Cook (2.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 K).

Lansing’s offence followed the leadoff man in Andrew Guillotte on Saturday, as the 5’8″ left-fielder went 2-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI. Lane Thomas had a great day at the plate going 2-for-3 with two walks and first baseman Juan Kelly went 2-for-3 with a walk.