Blue Jays MiLB Report: Jon Harris excellent for Dunedin

Toronto Blue Jays scores and analysis for minor league games played on Friday, July 29th

Buffalo Bisons (53-54)   –   3
Syracuse Chiefs (48-58)   –   1

Scott Copeland had an excellent start for the Bisons in his second outing since returning from Korea and re-signing with the organization. The right-hander struck out six over five and a third innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Bo Schultz picked up the win with one and two-thirds of perfect relief before Danny Barnes earned his second save of the season, throwing two perfect frames with two strikeouts to lower his triple-A ERA to 0.54.

All of Buffalo’s offence came via the home run ball. Matt Dominguez hit his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot, and Andy Burns put the Bisons ahead with a two-run blast in the seventh. Casey Kotchman was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Dalton Pompey went 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (46-59)   –   2
Richmond Flying Squirrels (44-60)   –   3

Ryan McBroom broke through for his first home run with the Fisher Cats, a solo shot in the eighth to make it close. The other RBI went to Roemon Fields, who singled in a 1-for-4 day. Christian Lopes doubled (23) and walked out of the leadoff spot. Rowdy Tellez, starting as DH, was 0-for-4.

Taylor Cole gave New Hampshire a fairly nice start, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings while striking out seven. Wil Browning and Brady Dragmire both followed with a scoreless relief inning each.

Dunedin Blue Jays (54-50)   –   3

Jupiter Hammerheads (52-51)   –   2

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Tied 1-1 entering the ninth, Jupiter moved ahead by one before Jorge Flores played the hero. The second-baseman drove in two runs for a walk-off single. Dickie Joe Thon (2-for-4) and L.B. Dantzler (2-for-4) both doubled. Anthony Alford took an 0-for-4 in the leadoff spot while Richard Urena singled and walked in three at-bats.

Jon Harris was excellent, allowing just one earned run over seven and two-thirds innings. The right-hander gave up just five hits and struck out four. Alonzo Gonzalez was the only reliever Dunedin needed and he picked up the win (his one run against was unearned).

Lansing Lugnuts (54-50)   –   2
Bowling Green Hot Rods (57-45)   –   3

Lansing kept this closer than it could have been, being out-hit 12-5. Andrew Guillotte got the Lugnuts started in the first with a solo home run, his fourth with the team this season. Max Pentecost had another strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI to move his average to .317.

Jordan Romano pitched four innings, allowing two runs on six hits but he was unable to find his strikeout pitch (0 K, 0 BB). Tom Robson handled three relief innings (5 H, ER, 1 K) but was hit with the loss. Jackson Lowery pitched the final frame (H, BB).

Vancouver Canadians (17-25)   –   4
Tri-City Dust Devils (20-22)   –   3

Second-baseman Cavan Biggio led the way with another strong day at the plater, going 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI. Joshua Palacios was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Deiferson Barreto, Yeltsin Gudino, and Josh Reavis picked up singles.

Dalton Rodriguez got the start, throwing four innings of one-run ball. The Mexican right-hander struck out six, walked three, and allowed seven hits. Stuart Holmed (2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K), Nick Hartman (2.0 IP, W, K), and Griffin Glaude (1.0 IP, S, K) rounded out the relief effort.

Next: Jays trade deadline notes on Hill, De La Rosa, Johnson

Bluefield Blue Jays (17-17)   –   2
Greeneville Astros (19-17)   –   1

The game was locked at ones until the eighth inning, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. brought home Nick Sinay with a sacrifice fly. Guerrero also doubled earlier in the game. Sinay was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot and scored both Bluefield runs.

Kyle Weatherly pitched five innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and striking out three. Angel Alicea handled the final three frames, earning the win with a very strong performance as he struck out six and allowed just one hit.