Blue Jays MiLB Report: 2016 picks make Lugnuts debut

Toronto Blue Jays scores and analysis for minor league games played on Saturday, August 27th

Buffalo Bisons (65-70)   –   2
Lehigh Valleh IronPigs (79-55)   –   12

The IronPigs opened with a seven-run first inning and had 17 hits on the day, so this was a no-contest. Chris Colabello‘s fifth home run  of the season was the only offensive highlight for the Bisons. Darrell Ceciliani singled and drove in the other run. Something worth nothing:  Dalton Pompey got the start in right field with Ceciliani playing centre, which could hint at Pompey’s September assignment with the big club.

Chris Leroux was hit with a whopping 10 earned runs on eight hits and two walks in just one and two-thirds innings. Jason Berken did the heavy lifting in relief, pitching four and a third innings and allowing just two unearned runs despite giving up seven hits and two walks. Chad Girodo (2.0 IP, 2 K) and Ryan Tepera (1.0 IP, K) closed it out.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (64-69)   –   5

Reading Fightin’ Phils (83-49)   –   3

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Christian Lopes continued his breakout season going 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBI. Ian Parmley doubled in a 2-for-4 day while Emilio Guerrero went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Richard Urena (0-for-5) and Rowdy Tellez (0-for-4) had quiet games.

Conner Greene pitched well, allowing just one earned run over five innings. The right-hander, who’s been battling inconsistencies at the level, struck out six and walked three. Brady Dragmire (2.0 IP, 2 ER) and Wil Browning (2.0 IP, 2 K) handled the back end.

Dunedin Blue Jays (74-57)   –   6
Lakeland Flying Tigers (56-72)   –   2

Ryan McBroom hit his 21st home run of the season and went 2-for-3 with a walk. Max Pentecost was 2-for-4 with an RBI while Anthony Alford singled twice and drove in a pair out of the leadoff spot. At the bottom of the lineup, shortstop Jorge Flores went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.

Conor Fisk earned his 10th win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.17 with eight innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed just two hits and struck out six. Adonys Cardona (0.2 IP, ER) and Dusty Isaacs (0.1 IP) shared the ninth.

Lansing Lugnuts (65-67)   –   5
Lake County Captains (68-64)   –   6

The Lansing comeback fell just short but this day was highlighted by three debuts. Joshua Palacios, Cavan Biggio, and J.B. Woodman, all high picks from the 2016 draft class, made the jump from Vancouver to Lansing. Woodman was the star, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.

Josh DeGraaf Got the Lugnuts out to a nice start with four innings of one-run ball. Dan Lietz took the loss (2.2 IP, 4 ER) before Jackson Lowery (0.1 IP, K) and Starlyn Suriel (1.0 IP, ER).

Vancouver Canadians (26-41)   –   1
Everett AquaSox (40-27)   –   10

Right-fielder Juan Tejada doubled twice for the Canadians and Deiferson Barreto doubled once, but otherwise it was scattered singles in the lopsided loss. Luis Sanchez allowed six earned runs on nine hits over just three and a third. Nate Abel (4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K) handled the rest.

Next: Looking ahead: Surviving the Blue Jays dog days

Bluefield Blue Jays (35-27)   –   9
Johnson City Cardinals (37-26)   –   8

Reggie Pruitt led the way with three of Bluefield’s 17 hits, driving in three. Speedster Nick Sinay tripled, singled, and scored twice while Lance Jones went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Bradley Jones (2-5, RBI), Levi Scott (3-4), and Cam O’Brien (2-3) also had big days at the plate.

Osman Gutierrez allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings, including three long balls. Brayden Bouchey (0.2 IP, ER, 3 BB), Stuart Holmes (1.1 IP, 2 K), and Connor Eller (2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K) helped squeeze out the win.