Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Jon Harris dominant again

Toronto Blue Jays MiLB scores and analysis for games played on Thursday, May 5th

Buffalo Bisons (11-16)   –   6
Syracuse Chiefs (16-10)   –   14

It looked like the Bisons were en route to upsetting the first-place Chiefs, but then the eighth inning happened. Syracuse dropped seven runs in the inning with two more in the ninth, totalling 15 hits off the Buffalo pitching staff.

Andy Burns was a bright spot at the plate, though, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in. This brings his average up to .250 as he continues to be a candidate for a major league recall at some point. Junior Lake made some noise at the dish, too, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Casey Kotchman was 2-for-4 with a double.

Drew Hutchison allowed four runs on five hits and three walks in five innings pitched, keeping his ERA at 4.10. After some clean work by Colt Hynes, however, Syracuse blew the doors off against Dustin Antolin and Bobby Korecky.

Friday night’s game is a battle of veteran left-handers, with Canadian Scott Diamond (2-2, 2.83 ERA) of the Bisons facing Aaron Laffey (2-0, 2.00 ERA).

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (9-16)   –   2

Reading Fightin Phils (17-10)   –   4

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A slow start continued for the Fisher Cats on Friday. Leadoff man Roemon Fields went 2-for-5 and stole his eighth base of the season while second baseman Christian Lopes singled twice and walked.

Jeremy Gabryszwski worked four and a third innings for New Hampshire and allowed only one run, but walked two batters without recording a strikeout. Reliever Chris Smith allowed the bulk of the damage with three runs scored on four hits in two and a third. Daniel Schlereth and Wil Browning cleaned up the back end.

Shane Dawson brings his 2.40 ERA to the mound on Friday night against the Hartford Yard Goats, but he’ll be up against Zach Jemiola, who has opened the year 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA.

Dunedin Blue Jays (12-14)   –   5
Daytona Tortugas (10-16)   –   3

Dunedin did all of their damage in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run blast off the bat of Jason Leblebijian. Dickie Joe Thon also drove in two runs on two hits while D.J. Davis doubled.

At the top of the lineup, Michael Bourn walked in an 0-for-3 day while top prospect Anthony Alford singled and walked.

Conner Greene pitched very well, needing 86 pitches over six full innings of work. The right-hander struck out four and allowed two earned runs for his second win of the season. He also forced nine ground ball outs. Adonys Cardona gave the D-Jays his ninth scoreless appearance of the season before handing off to Carlos Ramirez for a two-inning save.

Next: Jays vs. Kershaw, Dodgers: Full preview and matchups

Lansing Lugnuts (15-10)   –   1
Quad Cities River Bandits (11-16)   –   0

The Lugnuts were outhit 10-1 on Thursday night and still managed to grind out a win. Fantastic work from the Blue Jays’ most successful minor league affiliate through the first month.

It wasn’t a pretty run, either, as Aaron Attaway scored from third when Juan Kelly grounded into a double-play. Josh Almonte has the only Lansing hit of the day, a single, but the Lugnuts walked nine times, including two apiece from Andrew Guillotte, Lane Thomas, and Attaway.

Jon Harris was brilliant. The 2015 first round pick threw five complete innings of shutout ball, needing just 61 pitches and forcing eight ground ball outs. Lefty-handed Tennessee Wesleyan alumnus Tayler Saucedo worked three scoreless innings of relief before handing off to Dusty Isaacs for his fourth save of the season.

All eyes will be on Cooley Law School Stadium on Friday night with Francisco Rios taking his 1.48 ERA to the mound.