Blue Jays MiLB Report: Diamond in the rough

Toronto Blue Jays scores and analysis for minor league games played on Thursday, July 21st

Buffalo Bisons (52-47) – 2
Gwinnett Braves (43-56) – 3

A tough loss for the Bisons as they let this one slip away in the 9th inning.  Scott Diamond was a master of getting out of trouble in this one.  He allowed only two earned runs but gave up 10 hits.  He also walked a batter and struck out two in his seven innings of work.  The Braves left 10 runners on base during the game.

Domonic Brown and Matt Dominguez both collected RBI doubles during the game.  Casey Kotchman recorded the only multi-hit performance in the loss with a 2-for-4 night with a double.  Ryan Tepera took the loss as he allowed the winning run in the top of the 9th.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (44-52) – 2
Trenton Thunder (60-38) – 11

The Fisher Cats definitely did not enjoy the storm of offence generated by the Thunder on Thursday.  Cats starter Jeremy Gabryszwski took the brunt of the assault in the first inning as he only was able to record one out and allowed four earned runs.  Gabryszwski struggled with his control and walked three batters and allowed two hits in his 1/3 inning of work.

Jason Berken came on and was able to hold down the fort for a while but John Anderson allowed the flood gates to open.  Anderson was on the mound for six runs (four earned) as the Thunder ran off with the lead.  On the other side of the ball Jason Leblebijian supplied the only big answer to the Thunder’s threat.  Leblebijian hit his 6th homer of the year in the 4th.  The solo home run was the only run drove in by the Cats.

Dunedin Blue Jays (18-10) – 0

Jupiter Hammerheads (16-12) – 1

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A pitchers duel in Miami Thursday handed the D-Jays a tough-luck loss.  Conor Fisk was masterful for the D-Jays as he threw eight innings of work and struck out seven batters.  Fisk only allowed one earned run on five hits and no free passes.  Fisk is still settling into the starting rotation but has now allowed more than three runs in any of his six starts.  The D-Jays offence was silenced by a dominant start from Jeff Brigham.  The D-Jays did manage six hits but were unable to get anything going.  Anthony Alford went 2-for-4 with a double and was the top hitter for the game.

Lansing Lugnuts (16-11) – 7
Clinton Lumber Kings (20-7) – 5

A quick start for the Lugnuts offence led to a win against one of the best teams in the league.  A four-run second inning allowed the Lugnuts to tilt this game in their favour early.  Jake Thomas hit his 3rd triple of the season to drive in a run.  Thomas also scored twice during the game and went 2-for-4.  The top three batters in the lineup were able to drive in a run each and they all finished with multi hit games.  Andrew Guillotte scored twice while driving in one.  He also had a double during his 3-for-5 game.  Ryan Metzler stole three bases during the game and finished 2-for-4.  Ryan Borucki started the game for the Lugnuts and pitched well over five innings, allowing three runs.  The bullpen held onto the lead but allowed the Kings to creep into the game after the early lead.

Vancouver Canadians (16-18) – 7
Eugene Emeralds (24-10) – 8

A tough loss for the C’s as the comeback came up just short in the 9th.  The Emeralds jumped out to an early lead in this one, scoring five runs off of the C’s starter Nate Abel in the first two innings.  Things did not get much better for reliever Gabe Noyalis as he allowed three more runs during his two innings of work.

The offence was swinging it though as they attempted to pick up their pitchers.  The C’s had 13 hits during the game and capitalized on some miscues by the Emeralds fielders.  Six hitters collected multi-hit games.  Lance Jones and Bryan Lizardo collected RBI doubles in their performances.  Yeltsin Gudino hit a triple and an RBI during his two-hit game.  The comeback came up a run short in the bottom of the 9th but the C’s put up a great fight.

Next: Aaron Sanchez a dark horse for Cy Young amid pen talks

Bluefield Blue Jays (11-15) – 2
Bristol Pirates (13-14) – 5

The Pirates were able to take a late lead to knock down the Blue Jays in this one.  Yennsy Diaz put up a solid start and allowed three earned runs over his six innings of work.  He was able to keep the Jays in the game but Angel Alicea let a pair of runs (1 earned) to cross the plate in the 8th.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to settle in as he went 1-2 with three walks in this one.  He also stole a pair of bases in this one and currently has eight steals.