Blue Jays MiLB Report: 2016 First-rounder T.J. Zeuch debuts with Canadians

Toronto Blue Jays minor league scores and analysis for games played on Saturday, July 16th

Buffalo Bisons (50-44)   –   3
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (55-39)   –   4

Another loss for the Bisons as they stumble out of the All-Star break. Buffalo got solo home runs from Dalton Pompey, his second of the season, and Matt Dominguez, his 11th. Dominguez and DH Jesus Montero both went 2-for-4.

Scott Diamond got the start for Buffalo and pitched six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. The left-hander struck out two and walked two. Danny Barnes entered in relief and pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three to move his triple-A ERA (seven appearances) to 0.77.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (41-51)   –   3
Portland Sea Dogs (34-58)   –   7

Derrick Loveless hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, but that represented the majority of New Hampshire’s offence and one of their three hits. Singles went to Christian Lopes and Roemon Fields while Rowdy Tellez was 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Jeremy Gabryszwski gave up six runs on eight hits in just three and a third innings, raising his ERA to 4.61. Jason Berken was first on in relief, pitching two and a third, giving up a run on four hits. Tim Mayza (1.0 IP) and Murphy Smith (1.1 IP, 2 K) closed it out for the Fisher Cats.

Dunedin Blue Jays (48-44)   –   5

Bradenton Marauders (49-42)   –   3

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The D-Jays were outhit 10-5, but six walks and three Marauders errors kept the bases busy. Top prospect Richard Urena kept rolling, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run. He is now hitting .391 in his last 30 games. Catcher Danny Jansen was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk while Jonathan Davis walked twice out of the leadoff spot, scoring once.

Conor Fisk gave Dunedin what they needed with his start, allowing three earned runs on six hits over six innings. Adonys Cardona kept his inning scoreless despite allowing three hits before Colton Turner picked up the two-inning save, his fifth of the season.

Lansing Lugnuts (51-42)   –   4
Burlington Bees (43-50)   –   12

A total of 26 hits were spread through the game, but Lansing’s failed to stack up as they stranded far too many runners. First-baseman Justin Atkinson hit a two-run home run, his fourth of the year, in the first inning. Canadian right-fielder Connor Panas went 3-for-5 with an RBI to raise his average to .249. JC Cardenas was 2-for-4.

Tayler Saucedo got roughed up for four runs on seven hits and a walk in just two innings. Ryan Cook handled a pair of scoreless relief innings, but Tom Robson found trouble again and allowed five runs (four earned) in two and a third. Danny Young (1.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) and Dan Lietz (0.2 IP) closed it out.

Vancouver Canadians (15-14)   –   9
Boise Hawks (11-18)   –   4

Vancouver piled on the doubles Saturday, combining to hit eight. Javier Hernandez had two, scoring twice, and J.B. Woodman had a pair in his 4-for-5 day that included two runs and an RBI. First-baseman Christian Williams was 2-for-5 and drove in three. DJ McKnight went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI out of the nine hole.

First-rounder T.J. Zeuch made his debut with Vancouver, pitching three innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits. The 6-foot-7 right-hander walked two and struck out two, forcing six ground ball outs with no fly ball outs. Fellow 2016 draftee Zach Jackson allowed two runs (2 K, 2 BB, 2 H) in his lone inning of work. Nate Abel chewed through four scoreless innings with six strikeouts beforeNick Hartman (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 K) handled the ninth.

Next: A realistic takeaway from the Justin Smoak extension

Bluefield Blue Jays (10-11)   –   5
Greeneville Astros (12-11)   –   7

Catcher Ridge Smith, another member of the 2016 draft class, hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot. Bradley Jones was 2-for-5 and Dominican shortstop Jesus Severino went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Nick Sinay drove in two, going 1-for-4 with a walk.

Hansel Rodriguez pitched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks but striking out nine. Kelyn Jose entered in relief (0.2 IP) but struggled with control, walking three. Brayden Bouchey (2.1 IP, 2 K), Hunter Barnett (0.1 IP, 3 ER), and Andrew Deramo (0.2 IP, K) rounded out the bullpen effort.