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In another game that captured the hearts and minds of the Blue Jays faithful, the Buffalo Bisons began their final series of 2021 on a winning note Wednesday to cap off an organizational sweep.

Buffalo 7 Syracuse 3

A four-run first proved to be enough for the Herd to defeat the Mets. Kevin Smith opened the scoring with his 27th double of the year to drive in an Otto Lopez single. Gregory Polanco singled home Smith before trotting home on a Tyler White two-run home run, his 13th. Smith reached the 20-homer plateau with a solo shot in the third. Polanco then put one over the wall to score a Lopez double in the fifth. Polanco had four of the Bisons' 12 hits and Cullen Large had three.

Casey Lawrence served up two home runs and that accounted for all three runs he allowed but he was able to last five innings to get the win. Lawrence gave up four hits and walked three but struck out four to improve to 7-2. Rafael Dolis gave up a hit, issued a walk and plunked a hitter but struck out two in a shutout sixth. Tayler Saucedo offset two hits with two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh. Dany Jiménez and Hobie Harris struck out one in their perfect innings of work.


*** 3 Stars!!! ***

3. Cullen Large, Buffalo

2. Kevin Smith, Buffalo

1. Gregory Polanco. Buffalo



That marks the final minor league update of the year from me. Thanks for reading all season long.
Polanco & Smith Sink Syracuse | 7 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
jerjapan - Thursday, September 30 2021 @ 06:44 AM EDT (#407895) #
And thanks for writing #2!  I've enjoyed your tag team posts with Gerry. 
Mike Green - Thursday, September 30 2021 @ 10:40 AM EDT (#407911) #
Seconded.  Thank you, #2JB.

I don't know what to make of Polanco.  He had shoulder surgery at the end of a pretty good 2018 season, with ongoing problems into 2019.  In 2020, he was diagnosed with COVID in July, which may have affected his performance. In 2021, his major league slash line was terrible but he hits the ball hard and still runs pretty well.  His W/K was merely below average.  By rights, it should add up to a decent platoon player and his record with the bat in Buffalo suggests that might be what he now is.  I wonder what how he has done with the glove in Buffalo.
krose - Thursday, September 30 2021 @ 11:05 AM EDT (#407914) #
Big thanks to the writers of this thread. Part of my daily read and very informative. Will we see a top prospects list at season’s end?
85bluejay - Thursday, September 30 2021 @ 11:27 AM EDT (#407916) #
Polanco may earn himself a contract/spring invite for next season - the Jays really need more LHH
#2JBrumfield - Thursday, September 30 2021 @ 04:29 PM EDT (#407931) #
ESPN has an article on the financial struggles of minor leaguers.

ESPN reached out to all 30 teams asking whether they provide housing stipends, whether they pay players held back for extended spring training, how many meals they provide daily and whether they are planning any changes in the immediate future...The Angels, Blue Jays, Orioles, Reds, Red Sox, Tigers, Marlins, Diamondbacks and Cleveland declined comment.
Gerry - Friday, October 01 2021 @ 10:16 AM EDT (#408001) #
We are planning on publishing a top 30 list this off-season.
Mike Green - Friday, October 01 2021 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#408013) #
Great news about the top 30, Gerry.  It's going to be tough work after about 15, I think. 
Polanco & Smith Sink Syracuse | 7 comments | Create New Account
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