Blue Jays MiLB Report: Richard Urena, Justin Maese dominate

Toronto Blue Jays minor league scores and analysis for games played on Saturday, July 9th

Buffalo Bisons (49-41)   –   1
Lehigh Velley IronPogs (52-38)   –   9

A wet one in Buffalo saw left-hander Scott Diamond run into some rare turbulence, allowing five runs on six hits (including two home runs) over 6.0 innings. Submarine-man Ben Rowen allowed a single run over two frames of relief and Colt Hynes saw three runs cross on five hits in the ninth inning.

The Bisons managed just four hits, highlighted by a Matt Dominguez home run (10). Darrell Ceciliani and Tony Sanchez both doubled.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats
PPD

Rain washed out Saturday’s game against the Binghamton Mets. The Fisher Cats are back in action Sunday afternoon for their final game before the All-Star Break with Shane Dawson scheduled to pitch.

Dunedin Blue Jays (45-41)   –   4
Fort Myers Miracle (46-40)   –   6

Dunedin outhit the Miracle 14 to eight, but had trouble capitalizing on their big haul of base-runners. Richard Urena was the offensive star, recording his first career five-hit game with a double and four singles to bring his average to .292. Unfortunately for the D-Jays, that double was the only extra-base hit of the day. Ryan McBroom, Mike Reeves, and Michael De La Cruz all picked up a pair of hits.

Brad Allen got the start, allowing four runs (two earned) over 3.0 innings pitched. He allowed five hits (two home runs) and walked three, striking out five. Geno Encina allowed a pair of runs (one earned) in his three innings of relief before 2016 tenth round pick Kirby Snead pitched two scoreless innings on the back end.

Lansing Lugnuts (48-39)   –   4
Lake County Captains (47-39)   –   3

John La Prise walked it off in the bottom of the 11th with a single that scored Ryan Hissey. La Prise was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a walk. Carl Wise, who was also on base when Hissey crossed for the winner, was 3-for-5 with his first stolen base of the season.

Jordan Romano continued his strong season with five innings of work, allowing one earned run (three total) on two hits and three walks, striking out five. Nate Abel tossed a scoreless pair of innings and was followed by Ryan Cook (0.2 IP), Danny Young (0.2 IP), and Josh DeGraaf (W, 2.2 IP).

Vancouver Canadians (12-11)   –   8
Tri-County Dust Devils (13-10)   –   3

This shouldn’t come as a shock, but Justin Maese was great for the Canadians. The right-handed prospect tossed 8.0 innings of three-hit ball, allowing two runs with five strikeouts and no walks. He forced 15 ground ball outs compared to just three fly ball outs.

A grand slam from Bryan Lizardo was all Vancouver needed from their 10-hit day. Rodrigo Orozco and Javier Hernandez both went 2-for-3 from the bottom of the lineup.

Bluefield Blue Jays (10-6)   –   3
Johnson City Cardinals (9-7)   –   0

Speaking of fine pitching performances, Hansel Rodriguez threw a seven-inning shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out six. Luke Gillingham covered the final two innings allowing just one hit and striking out three.

Vlad Guerrero Jr. doubled and walked twice in a 1-for-3 day. Leadoff man Nick Sinay was 1-for-3 with his eighth stolen base while Edward Olivares and Earl Burl III both added a pair of hits.