All four full season affiliates were in action last night.
In Portland, the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats went down to defeat 3-1. Andrew Sopko gave the team five scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen, but the league’s second-lowest hitting offence was only 1-9 with runners in scoring position, and could only manage a single run in the 4th inning. Santiago Espinal had a pair of hits for the Cats, and Riley Adams had his first Eastern League hit.
Dunedin played the second game of their series in Tampa, and shutout the Tarpons 1-0 behind the brilliant work of starter Graham Spraker. Alejandro Kirk hit a two out Double (his first of two on the night), and was driven in by Demi Orimoloye in the 4th for the game’s only run. Spraker spun six shutout innings, giving up only one hit and a walk while striking out five. Emerson Jimenez, Brad Wilson, and Dany Jimenez each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to preserve the shutout.
Spraker spread the credit for his outing around:
Graham Spraker discusses what lead to his effectiveness in tonight’s 1-0 win over the @TampaTarpons. pic.twitter.com/UbKp5oXBgc
— Dunedin Blue Jays (@DunedinBlueJays) May 9, 2019
Visiting Buffalo took one on the chin at Gwinnett by a 9-2 count. Jacob Waguespack was touched for 6 runs (all earned) in 5 innings, allowing a pair of Home Runs. Cavan Biggio went 3-4 with a pair of RBI for the Bisons, while Reese McGuire chipped in a pair of hits.
In Iowa, Jordan Groshans returned to Lansing’s lineup after missing a week with foot soreness, but it wasn’t enough as the Lugs fell 6-0 to Quad Cities. The River Bandits have been forced out of their home field by flooding, and have played home games at a variety of locations, including the University of Iowa for this series. Groshans and Reggie Pruitt had a pair of hits for Lansing, but starter Juan DePaula was wracked for 5 runs and 8 hits before giving way to piggyback-mate Josh Hiatt with two out in the 4th.
This should give you an idea of how things are going at Quad Cities’ home park:
There are beavers in the batting cages. I repeat, there are beavers in the batting cages.
More on flooding effecting the Quad Cities River Bandits:
https://t.co/x3WIyNtIyz pic.twitter.com/z21qMQCHQb
— Josh Jackson (@JoshJacksonMiLB) May 7, 2019
