Blue Jays Minor League Recap: The 2016 of Rios

Scores and analysis for Toronto Blue Jays minor league games played on Friday, May 6th

Buffalo Bisons (11-17)   –   0
Syracuse Chiefs (17-10)   –   5

It was a tale of two teams headed in different directions at Coca-Cola Field on Friday night. The first-place Chiefs held the Blue Jays triple-A affiliate to just two hits.

Matt Dominguez and David Adams singled, but the most important line of the night was an 0-for-4 out of the leadoff spot. Dalton Pompey returned to action and started in centre-field after dealing with a heel injury.

Aaron Laffey was excellent for the Chiefs, but Canadian Scott Diamond countered with a great start of his own for Buffalo. The lefty pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out two with no walks. Following the game, Diamond credited the continued progression of his curveball.

Pat Venditte was first out of the ‘pen, but allowed a three-run home run. Veteran right-hander David Aardsma allowed a solo home run in his one inning of work, bringing his season ERA to 6.75.

For the Chiefs, top Washington Nationals prospect Trea Turner went 3-for-4 and stole his 12th base of the season.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (10-16)   –   8
Hartford Yard Goats (20-7)   –   6

The Fisher Cats broke back into the win column over the powerhouse Yard Goats on Friday thanks to a ten-hit performance at the plate. First baseman K.C. Hobson led the way with a two-run home run, part of his 2-for-4 day. Otherwise, every other New Hampshire batter chipped in one hit each.

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Dwight Smith Jr. broke the 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a two-run single that scored Roemon Field and Jon Berti. Fields stole his ninth base of the season on Friday, but Fields, not to be outdone, stole three bags to give him 13 total.

Shane Dawson had a good start for the Fisher Cats, allowing two earned runs over five innings, striking out six and walking three. Bo Schultz struck out two in a clean inning and was reportedly hitting 96 MPH with his fastball. Luis Santos took the brunt of the bullpen damage (4R, 3 ER, 1.0 IP) before John Stilson and Wil Browning cleaned up the back end.

Dunedin Blue Jays (13-14)   –   2
Daytona Tortugas (10-17)   –   0

A pitchers duel in Dunedin as left-hander Brad Allen gave the D-Jays his strongest outing of the season. The Arkansas State alumnus pithed five and two-thirds innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five.

Jose Fernandez struck out one in his inning and a third before Tim Mayza picked up his third save of the season with two very strong innings. The outing brought Mayza’s ERA down to 0.53 on the season.

Top shortstop prospect Richard Urena tripled in a run for Dunedin while first baseman Ryan McBroom doubled in a 2-for-4 day. Catcher Mike Reeves had a strong day of his own, going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. Anthony Alford had one single in four at-bats.

Lansing Lugnuts (16-10)   –   6
Quad Cities River Bandits (11-17)   –   0

Francisco Rios was dominant for the Lugnuts, striking out 10 batters and allowing just one hit over five and two-thirds innings. With his ERA lowered to 1.20, Rios is solidifying himself as the Blue Jays breakout prospect of 2016.

Lansing’s bullpen is just as strong, too. Josh DeGraaf pitched 2.1 innings of shutout ball before handing off to Colton Turner, who struck out two in his lone inning of work to keep his ERA at zero.

Next: Blue Jays pitching prospect updates: Week 4

Juan Kelly led the way at the plate, driving in two runs with a home run and a double. The 21-year-old Dominican has been a steady source of pop at the heart of Lansings lineup, and is now hitting .300.

Speaking of hot bats, outfielder Andrew Guillotte brought his average to .319 with a 3-for-5 day, including two RBIs, his eighth double of the season, and his sixth stolen base.

Can’t-miss left-hander Angel Perdomo is on the hill Saturday night in the series finale against the River Bandits.