Jay Blue: Alford, Brodt, Diaz, Spraker

Yennsy Diaz allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings for the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday. Photo: Jay Blue

May 21, 2019 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report

By Jay Blue

Blue Jays from Away

The Blue Jays minor league organization had several well-pitched games on Tuesday night with the Buffalo Bisons and New Hampshire Fisher Cats spinning shutouts on a 2-2 night.

Buffalo Bisons 5, Rochester Red Wings (MIN) 0

The Buffalo Bisons held the Rochester Red Wings scoreless to beat them 5-0 on Tuesday.

Starter Shawn Morimando survived walking five batters over four innings, giving up three hits but he struck out five to emerge from four innings with 90 pitches under his belt despite not allowing a run. Zach Jackson got the win, throwing two scoreless innings, striking out two and Kirby Snead threw two more scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. Justin Shafer allowed two consecutive hits to start the ninth but got out of the jam without allowing any more damage to finish the game.

Anthony Alford brought his batting average up to the Mendoza Line (.200), going 2/4 with a stolen base (but was also caught stealing). Jordan Patterson was 1/3 with a double and a walk, driving in two runs and scoring once. Alen Hanson was 1/3 with a walk and a run and Reese McGuire was 1/3 with a walk and two runs. Cavan Biggio walked twice, going 0/2 with a run and a stolen base and Teoscar Hernandez was 1/3 with two RBI, a walk and a sac fly. Andy Burns had the club's only other hit, going 1/4.

W: Zach Jackson (2-0)

Player of the Game: Jordan Patterson and Anthony Alford

Roster Notes: Corey Copping was activated off the 7-day IL and Jimmy Cordero was promoted to Toronto.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5, Altoona Curve (PIT) 0

Righty Yennsy Diaz penned a masterwork on the mound as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats piled on a few runs in the seventh to come out with a 5-0 victory to open their series against the Altoona Curve.

Diaz allowed only two hits and two walks over seven innings, hitting a batter and striking out eight in a stellar start despite not facing the toughest lineup. Vinny Nittoli, recently released by Arizona Diamondbacks and signed as a minor-league free agent, made his debut in the Blue Jays' organization, allowing a hit and striking out one in the eighth inning. Jackson McClelland followed with a scoreless ninth.

Christian Williams had an outstanding game, hitting his first Double-A home run and going 2/3 with a double and three RBI. Brock Lundquist had two hits, going 2/5 with an RBI and a stolen base while Forrest Wall was 2/5 with a run. Vinny Capra was 1/3 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly and Riley Adams, playing DH, was 2/4. Andres Sotillo, the catcher, was 2/4 with a double and a run while Chad Spanberger went 1/4 with a double.

W: Yennsy Diaz (4-3)

HR: Christian Williams (1)

Player of the Game: Yennsy Diaz

Roster Notes: Jonathan Cheshire was placed on the 7-day IL while Vinny Nittoli was activated to the Fisher Cats' roster.

Dunedin Blue Jays 0, St. Lucie Mets (NYM)

The Dunedin Blue Jays' offense sputtered despite solid pitching, getting just two hits on their way to a 3-0 loss at the hands of the St. Lucie Mets.

The only hits were authored by Cullen Large and Chavez Young (who hit a double) and Ryan Noda had the club's only walk on Tuesday.

Righty Graham Spraker had a solid start, bumping his ERA up to 1.87 after giving up two runs on five hits (including a home run) and one walk in six innings, striking out two and getting seven outs on the ground and three on fly balls. Emerson Jimenez allowed the third St. Lucie run, allowing four hits in two innings.

L: Graham Spraker (4-1)

Player of the Game: Graham Spraker

Lansing Lugnuts 8, Great Lakes Loons (LAD) 11

After falling behind the Great Lakes Loons by seven runs in the top of the fifth inning, the Lansing Lugnuts made it a game by scoring six in the bottom of the fifth but would ultimately go on to lose 11-8 in an afternoon affair.

First baseman Jake Brodt hit his fourth home run of the season, going 3/4 with a walk, an RBI and a run in the loss while Montreal native Otto Lopez (2/4, BB, R) and Reggie Pruitt (2/5, 3B, 2 RBI, R, SB) had two hits apiece. Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) was 1/3 with a walk, a run and two stolen bases while Nick Podkul was 1/5 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base. Hunter Steinmetz walked, scored and stole a base and Ryan Gold was on base twice, going 1/4 with a walk. Rafael Lantigua was 1/5 with an RBI and a run.

Starter Troy Miller tossed 40 pitches over one-plus innings allowing four runs on three hits (including a home run) and three walks with a hit batter and one strikeout. Marcus Reeyes inherited two runners and one scored as he allowed a run of his own on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts over three innings. Will McAffer allowed two runs on a hit and three walks in an inning, striking out two and Mike Pascoe gave up three hits and a walk but all four baserunners came around to score as all three hits were home runs as he allowed four runs over four innings of work.

L: Troy Miller (0-3)

Player of the Game: Jake Brodt

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