Blue Jays MiLB Report: Hutchison bounces back in Buffalo

Toronto Blue Jays scores and analysis for minor league games played on Saturday, July 23rd

Buffalo Bisons (52-49)   –   1
Gwinnett Braves (45-56)   –   2

Star Wars Night ended with a play at the plate as Domonic Brown was thrown out at home. Buffalo managed to squeeze just one run out of ten hits, largely because they did not work a single walk. Jose Bautista was 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Both Brown and catcher A.J. Jimenez hit two doubles while Dalton Pompey went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Drew Hutchison looked strong, pitching six innings of one-run ball while allowing just four hits and striking out four. Hutchison allowed six runs in just two and two-thirds innings in his last start before leaving with a blister.  After one and two-thirds of scoreless relief from Chad Girodo, Ben Rowen took the loss when he allowed a single run in the top of the ninth.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (45-54)   –   5
Trenton Thunder (61-39)   –   8

New Hampshire worked eight walks to pad their seven hits but still fell short offensively without a big inning. Jason Leblebijian was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, keeping his average at .314. Dwight Smith Jr. scored twice with a double and a walk while Derrick Loveless drove in one run and doubled in a 1-for-3 day. Roemon Fields stole his 33rd base of the season.

Luis Santos had a tough start, allowing four runs on nine hits over four and two-thirds innings. He was followed by John Stilson who met a similar fate, allowing four runs (three earned) in one and two-thirds. Tim Mayza (0.2 IP), Murphy Smith (1.0 IP) and Jeremy Gabryszwski (1.0 IP) rounded out the back end.

Dunedin Blue Jays (51-48)   –   0

Jupiter Hammerheads (49-49)   –   10

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L.B. Dantzler doubled and went 2-for-4 while singles went to Anthony Alford, Richard Urena, and D.J. Davis. Otherwise, it was crickets for the D-Jays offence.

Jon Harris made his first start after being promoted to advanced-A and allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked three. Jose Fernandez allowed five of his own (just two earned) including two home runs, recording just a pair of outs. Alonzo Gonzalez (1.1 IP, 2 K), and Colton Turner (1.0 IP) cleaned up the rest.

Lansing Lugnuts (52-47)   –   2
Kane County Cougars (43-56)   –   3

Limiting the Cougars to just three runs on 17 hits was a bit of an accomplishment in and of itself. Justin Maese used nine ground ball outs to keep the damage to just one run on 10 hits in his five innings of work. After one and a third from Josh DeGraaf, Kirby Snead had a busy two innings with a run allowed, four hits, and four strikeouts. Andrew Case (1.2 IP, 2 K) and Ryan Cook (1.0 IP, ER) rounded out the relief effort.

Leadoff man Andrew Guillotte led the way with a solo home run, his fourth of the year. Juan Kelly doubled and went 3-for-4, driving in one and walking once. First-baseman Justin Atkinson was 2-for-5 and Max Pentecost was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Vancouver Canadians (16-20)   –   4
Eugene Emeralds (26-10)   –   11

J.B. Woodman had a big day in the loss, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, and a pair of walks. The right-fielder also stole his sixth base of the season, cluttering the scoresheet. Catcher Javier Hernandez drove in two while shortstop Yeltsin Gudino was 2-for-4.

Dalton Rodriguez had an unenjoyable day at the park. The Mexican right-hander allowed nine runs (eight earned) in just one and two-thirds innings. Stuart Holmes did the heavy lifting in relief, throwing five strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits while striking out three. Matt Smoral (1.1 IP, 1 ER) and Travis Bergen (1.0 IP, 2 K) closed it out.

Next: Pompey still an MLB option for Blue Jays in 2016

Bluefield Blue Jays (13-15)   –   5
Burlington Royals (16-13)   –   3

The Blue Jays won on a walk-off ground-rule double from Nash Knight, who continued to produce with a 2-for-5 night and three RBI. Lance Jones went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI while Bradley Jones was 2-for-3. Vlad Guerrero Jr. went 1-for-4 with a run and a walk.

Nicaraguan righty Osman Gutierrez was very strong, striking out seven batters and allowing just two runs in his six innings of work. After Christian Cox allowed a solo home run in his two innings of work, Connor Eller picked up the win (1.0 IP).