The title says it all for the most part. Oh, and one ugly collective pitching performance in High-A ball... except for Tim Collins, of course.
Colorado Springs 5 Las Vegas 4
Nine runs in a Pacific Coast League game?? Well, this was a pitchers' duel for this offensive-happy league. MLB vet Josh Fogg started the game for the Colorado Rockies affiliate. Dirk Hayhurst's strong spring earned him a starting rotation spot for the new Jays affiliate, but he struggled by allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks in two innings. Former first-overall draft pick Bryan Bullington picked him up and went four innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits. Bill Murphy, adjusting to life in the bullpen this season, pitched two shutout innings with three Ks. (Poor) Joe Inglett led the offense with a 3 for 5 night, including one run scored and two RBI. Jason Lane had two hits. Buck Coats went 1 for 2, with two walks and two runs scored.
New Hampshire 5 New Britain 0
New Hampshire improved to 3-0 on the young season with the win over the Minnesota Twins affiliate. Southpaw Fabio Castro started the game for the Fisher Cats and went 5.2 shutout innings, allowing six hits and striking out five. David Shinske, a former Twins prospect, allowed one hit in 1.1 innings and Nate Starner finished strong with two innings of two-hit ball. Offensively, Brian Jeroloman went 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI. Chris Gutierrez was 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Sean Shoffit was 1 for 4, with a run scored, a double and two Ks.
Clearwater 10 Dunedin 7
The Phillies affiliate jumped all over the Jays pitching prospects. Brandon Magee, demoted after spending 2008 in Double-A, continued to show below-average results despite pretty solid stuff. He allowed four runs (one earned) in five innings and struck out just one batter. On the plus side, he did induce eight ground balls, compared to six fly balls. Ross Buckwalter pitched a scoreless inning, but Alan Farina faced seven batters and failed to get an out. Tim Collins, the wonder kid, worked three shutout innings, walked no one and struck out four. Justin Jackson and Darin Mastroianni both went 3 for 5 with two runs scored at the top of the order. They also each stole a base. Eric Thames was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Moises Sierra was 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI.
Fort Wayne 5 Lansing 4
The kids actually did alright, especially considering that the Jays are fielding a very young team in Lansing this season. The Lugnuts were also facing an older college-player-heavy squad with the Padres affiliate. The club was also facing Nick Schmidt, the Padres' former No. 1 draft pick who is working his way back after Tommy John surgery. John Anderson, who had a strong spring for Toronto, got the start and allowed three runs (two earned) in five innings. He allowed four hits and two walks, with six Ks. Jonas Cuotto allowed two runs in two innings, while Frank Gailey (who posted a 1.26 ERA in Lansing last season) worked two shutout innings. Tyler Pastornicky was 0 for 4. Kenny Wilson was 0 for 3 but he walked twice and stole a base. Balbino Fuenmayor was 1 for 4 with a double and drove in three runs. Michael McDade was 1 for 3 with an RBI, walk and two strikeouts.
Three Stars:
3. Brian Jeroloman for a 3 for 4 night and leading the offense in the win
2. Tim Collins for three shutout innings while other pitchers struggled
1. Justin Jackson and Darin Mastroianni for going a collective 6 for 10 with four runs scored and two stolen bases.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090411084246803