The 51s held on for the win after a nail-biting ninth. Beyond that, more bleakness... and don't even look at the New Hampshire game report if you have a weak stomach.
Las Vegas 5 Round Rock 4
The 51s offense has struggle a bit in the wake of losing both Travis Snider and Randy Ruiz to the Jays, but the club has reeled off a few good games recently. Last night, veteran pitcher Marty McLeary held the Houston affiliate to two runs in five innings with just five hits and one walk allowed. Bill Murphy followed up with three hitless, scoreless innings. Closer Bubbie Buzachero was unable to nail down the save after allowing two runs in one-third of an inning, but Brian Wolfe bailed him out by King the last two batters. At the plate, Brian Dopirak led the offense again with three hits, including a double. Kevin Howard also had three hits, and Joe Inglett drove in two hits, while enjoying a two-hit night that also included a homer. Buck Coats, a deserving September call-up, also had two hits and scored a run.
Trenton 1 New Hampshire 0 (10 innings)
For whatever reason, New Hampshire and the Eastern League seems to be a grave yard for Toronto's offensive prospects - year in and year out. This year has been no different, and the club again struggled to put forth a respectable attack. On the plus side, Jays starter Randy Boone was also dealing in this one. The right-hander allowed just two hits in 7.2 innings of work, but also walked three three. Boone struck out six batters, as well. Wil Ledezma took the loss in the 10th inning. The Fisher Cats offense put forth just one hit - a single from Manny Mayorson (a former long-time Jays prospect who just came back to the fold recently after a few years in the Marlins' system). Mayorson's hit was in the second at-bat of the game, so the team was brutal at the plate from there on out, while facing five different pitchers.
Clearwater 5 Dunedin 4
Dunedin took a hard loss after three relievers combined to blow the game in the ninth inning with three runs allowed. Andrew Liebel began the game with five solid innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and two walks. John Anderson, recently promoted from Lansing, worked three hitless innings and struck out five batters. Things began unraveling when Alan Farina entered and allowed two runs in one-third of an inning. Daniel DeLucia took the loss when he failed to record an out and left the winning run sitting on base. Matt Daly - another Lansing call-up - then entered and blew the save by allowing the winning run to score. At the plate, Brad McElroy and Tylor Pastornicky (up from Lansing) each had two hits and stole a base. McElroy also scored two runs. Jonathan Jaspe went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, but he added a second RBI. Moises Sierra's late season swoon continued with an 0-for-4 night.
Fort Wayne 8 Lansing 6
Starter Chris Holguin struggled with his control and walked four batters in four innings. He gave up a total of two runs. Jason Roenicke also had a bad night by allowing five hits and two runs in 1.1 innings of work. Frank Gailey had a rare off-night and allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Yorman Mayora settled things down with an inning's work that saw him strikeout the side (while also issuing a walk). AJ Jimenez, Welinton Ramirez (called up from Auburn) and Michael McDade each had two hits. Jimenez had two doubles. McDade has been on fire in the last 10 games with a .415 average, two homers and eight RBI. Ryan Goins went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Lowell 16 Auburn 7
Well, it's a good thing the Jays didn't sign any of there top draft picks because there certainly are not issues down here in the lower minor league levels... Matt Wright, Jamie Lehman and Austin Armstrong each allowed at least four runs. Zach Anderson was the only pitcher to keep the Spinners off the score sheet and he only worked a third of an inning. At the plate for Auburn, Yan Gomes and Sean Ochinko each had two hits. Gomes slugged two doubles and drove in two runs. Ryan Schimpf went 1-for-4 with two runs scored. Kevin Nolan was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Markus Brisker had a hit and stole a base.
GCL Jays/Phillies suspended after three innings (rain)
The Jays were up 3-0 in the third inning, when the rains halted the game. Eric Thames and Jack Murphy were each 2-for-2. Nestor Molina had worked three scoreless innings.
The Three Stars:
3. AJ Jimenez for two hits, including two doubles
2. Brian Dopirak for three hits at triple-A
1. Randy Boone for allowing just two hits in 7.2 innings.
On a bonus note, the DSL Jays players finished up their season yesterday with a rain-shortened win over the DSL Cubs. Hitting prospects worth keeping an eye on include Manuel Falcon (2B/3B), Fausto Natera (SS), Simon Vazquez (1B/C), Leonardo Hernandez (C), Sony Javier (OF), and pitchers Jose Vargas, Milciades Santana, Fernando Bella, Victor German, Deivy Estrada, Misual Diaz, Denny Valdez, and Cesar Sanchez.
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