Jay Blue: Case, Orozco, Panas, Pompey, Reid-Foley, Smith, Vicuna

Dwight Smith Jr. had four hits for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Saturday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

April 21, 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays' minor leaguers got two extra-inning wins on Saturday with another win from the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, leaving the organization with a 3-1 record at the minor league level.

Buffalo Bisons 8, Norfolk Tides 6

The Buffalo Bisons got four hits from Dwight Smith Jr. and a big, two-run home run from Darnell Sweeney in the 11th inning to seal an 8-6 win over the Norfolk Tides on Saturday night. Smith was 4-for-5 with a walk and two runs while Sweeney was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) was 2/5 with two stolen bases and two runs while Danny Espinosa also had a pair of hits and two walks, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run. Reese McGuire drove in a pair of runs, going 1-for-5.

Sam Gaviglio had a strong start for the Bisons, throwing 5 1/3 innings for the Herd, allowing only four hits and a walk with six strikeouts before Tim Mayza tossed another 1 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out three. Carlos Ramirez opened the dam, giving up two runs on a hit and three walks with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning while Sam Moll gave up two runs on three hits despite three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Luis Santos got the win but he still allowed two unearned runs (they both came from the runner who started on second base in extra innings to score in both the 10th and 11th) on two hits and a walk with one strikeout over two innings.

W: Luis Santos (1-0)
HR: Darnell Sweeney (2)

Roster Notes: Gift Ngoepe was activated and the Blue Jays traded Jon Berti to the Cleveland Indians.

Player of the Game: Dwight Smith Jr.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6, Reading Fightin Phils 2

The double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats got a gutsy start from Sean Reid-Foley and slugged their way to a 6-2 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils. Reid-Foley struggled with his command, needing 93 pitches to get through six innings, walking three and allowing only three hits with one run against and three strikeouts. Justin Shafer tossed a scoreless seventh, striking out two and Craig Breslow worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) closed it out, allowing an unearned run on no hits and no walks.

Cavan Biggio drove in three, going 2-for-5 with a home run and single while Harold Ramirez drove in a pair, going 2-for-4 with a home run. Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) hit a solo home run in the second inning, adding a walk to his 1-for-3 day. Juan Kelly was 2-for-4 with a run in addition.

W: Sean Reid-Foley (3-0)
HR: Cavan Biggio (2), Connor Panas (1), Harold Ramirez (1)

Player of the Game: Cavan Biggio and Harold Ramirez

Dunedin Blue Jays 14, Daytona Tortugas 13

It was a wild one in Dunedin as the home Blue Jays defeated the Daytona Tortugas by a 14-13 in 10 innings.

The Blue Jays ultimately won by getting a RBI walk with the bases loaded (after two intentional walks). Starter Tayler Saucedo got hit hard, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Conner Eller arrived on the scene and allowed two more runs on four hits (including a home run) and two walks with one strikeout in two innings. Nick Hartman, similarly had trouble, giving up another four runs to Daytona (three earned) on three hits and three walks in just 2/3 of an inning but Jake Fishman was on the scene, stranding a runner and tossing 2 2/3 innings, allowing just a hit and walk with three strikeouts. Kirby Snead came on for the 10th, walking two but striking out a pair to get out of the inning with the tie intact.

Joshua Palacios continues to be hot, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, taking a walk and scoring twice. Bradley Jones hit the club's other home run, going 2-for-6 with two RBI but he struck out three times. Rodrigo Orozco drove in six runs, going 3-for-5 with a walk, two doubles and a run. Ivan Castillo also had three hits and a walk, driving in one, scoring twice and hitting a double. Riley Adams (2-for-5, BB, R) and D.J. Davis (2-for-3, 2 BB, 3 R) also had two hits each.

W: Kirby Snead (1-1)
HR: Joshua Palacios (1), Bradley Jones (2)

Player of the Game: Joshua Palacios and Rodrigo Orozco

Lansing Lugnuts 1, South Bend Cubs 2

The low-A Lansing Lugnuts didn't have much of an answer for the South Bend Cubs, scoring just once on eight hits in a 2-1 loss on Saturday night.

Kevin Vicuna's bat continues to be hot as he went 2-for-5 with a double and a run while Christian Williams was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Kacy Clemens hit a double, going 1-for-4 while Chavez Young was 1-for-5 with a double. Reggie Pruitt was 0-for-4 but stole a base and Kevin Smith also stole a base, going 1-for-5. Ryan Noda was on twice with a single and a walk.

Turner Larkins took the loss, giving up two runs on four hits over five innings, striking out two while Graham Spraker allowed just three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over three innings.

L: Turner Larkins (1-2)

Player of the Game: Kevin Vicuna, Christian Williams and Graham Spraker

Jay's Jay of the Day: Dwight Smith Jr.

If you like us here, like us on Facebook!

The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available! Visit the Handbook page for more information!