Blue Jays MiLB Report: Jon Harris and Christian Lopes stay hot

Toronto Blue Jays scores and analysis for minor league games played on Monday, August 16th

Buffalo Bisons (61-62)   –   4
Rochester Red Wings (68-55)   –   10

It was a bad day to be a pitcher in Buffalo as the two teams combined for 30 hits. Matt Dominguez led the way for the Bisons, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and his 15th home run of the season. Casey Kotchman was 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored while Andy Burns went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a double.

Scott Diamond found some rare struggles and really filled up the stat sheet. The lefty allowed seven runs on 12 hits over six innings, though he did strike out seven. Chad Girodo (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER), Aaron Loup (1.0 IP, 3 K), and Matt Dermody (1.0 IP, ER) closed it out.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (57-63)   –   4
Binghamton Mets (56-63)   –   1

While he doesn’t get the prospect attention of his teammates, Christian Lopes has been one of the organization’s hottest hitters of late. The second-baseman went 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot with a solo home run (3), two RBI, and two runs. Rowdy Tellez singled twice while Ian Parmley was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Wilmer Font continues to fit right in at double-A, throwing seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just three hits given up. He’s now 3-0 in four starts at the level with a 1.96 ERA. Murphy Smith handled the final two innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two.

Dunedin Blue Jays (67-53)   –   4

Clearwater Threshers (69-49)   –   1

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Anthony Alford doubled in a 2-for-4 day atop the lineup, driving in one and scoring to bring his average up to .244. Dickie Joe Thon provided some pop right behind him, hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning to make the difference.

Jon Harris brought his advanced-A ERA below three (2.96) with seven and two-thirds innings of one-run ball, striking out three and allowing just three hits. Dusty Isaacs picked up his fourth save of the season, recording all four of his outs via the strikeout.

Lansing Lugnuts (62-58)   –   1
Great Lakes Loons (51-68)   –   7

The Lugnuts were out-hit 11-to-3 as a Ryan Hissey double represented the only offence. John La Prise and Juan Kelly accounted for the other two hits while Connor Panas walked twice.

Angel Perdomo had a rocky start, pitching four and two-thirds innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits. The left-hander struck out four and walked three. Dan Lietz (2.1 IP, ER, 3 BB, 4 K) and Daniel Young (2.0 IP) handled the relief duties.

Vancouver Canadians (23-33)   –   6
Hillsboro Hops (29-27)   –   4

The 2016 draftees were hot, led by J.B. Woodman who went 2-for-5 with a solo home run (2) and two runs scored. Cavan Biggio was 3-for-4 with a triple, walk, run, and two RBI while Joshua Palacios went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs. Palacios is now hitting .342 in his pro debut. Nash Knight hit four singles in five at-bats, bringing his Vancouver average to .300 after dominating in Bluefield.

Patrick Murphy pitched well, allowing just one run on seven hits over 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. Gabe Noyalis found trouble, allowing three runs in his inning and a third, but Grayson Huffman (1.0 IP, K) and Nick Hartman (1.0 IP, K) held the lead.

Next: Blue Jays MiLB standouts from the top four levels

Bluefield Blue Jays (29-22)   –   6
Elizabethton Twins (27-23)   –   7
GAME ONE (Continued from Sunday)

Javier Monzon is looking more comfortable and went 2-for-5 with a triple and two runs. Behind him, Bradley Jones was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled and drove in one. Yennsy Diaz handled the Sunday portion of the game (3.1 IP, 5 ER). In Monday’s completion, Hunter Barnett (1.2 IP), Kelyn Jose (2.0 IP, K), and Andrew Deramo (2.0 IP, 3 H, ER) gave the Jays a chance.

Bluefield Blue Jays (29-23)   –   1
Elizabethton Twins (28-23)   –   4
GAME TWO

Bluefield couldn’t manage an extra-base hit in game two. Guerrero was 1-for-2 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly to record the Jays’ lone run. Osman Gutierrez allowed four runs over his six innings, but just one was earned. He allowed five hits and struck out seven. Stuart Holmes handled a clean seventh, striking out one.