Blue Jays MiLB Recap- Affiliates Go 4-1

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. It was a good day for the Blue Jays’ affiliates, as they were able to both pitch and hit, leading to a combined 4-1 record on the day.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Rochester Red Wings (Twins) – 5-2 win

The Buffalo Bisons continued their hot start on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Rochester Red Wings 5-2, improving their record on the season to 5-1.

While the Bisons used many pitchers on Wednesday, right-handed pitcher Casey Lawrence was the one who started the game. Lawrence was able to give the team three shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out four.

There were four pitchers used after Lawrence to close out the game, and three out of the four of them pitched very well. Righty Mike Bolsinger went 1.2 innings, allowing zero runs off of two hits and one walk while striking out three. Following Bolsinger was the left-hander and pitcher credited with the win, Matt Dermody (1-0). He also went 1.2 shutout innings, allowing zero hits or walks and striking out five.

It got a bit bumpy when lefty Chad Girodo came in, as he allowed 2 runs over 0.2 innings. However after Girodo was pulled, right-hander Lionel Campos came in and shut the door, going two shutout innings while striking out three to earn his first save of the season.

At the plate, the Bisons fared quite well and were able to score five runs off of nine hits and two walks. Leading the way at the plate for the team was Christian Lopes, as he was 2-4 on the day, scoring two runs.

The other Bisons to make a difference at the plate were Chris Coghlan (0-3, BB, RBI), Jake Elmore (1-4, RBI), Dwight Smith Jr. (1-4), Mike Ohlman (1-4, 2B), Luke Maile (1-4, RBI), Ian Parmley (2-3, BB) and Shane Optiz (1-4, 2 RBI).

The Bisons will play their fourth and final game of the series against the Red Wings on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. With a 2-1 lead in the series, the Bisons will be looking to take it 3-1, rather than split and go 2-2.

MVB: Matt Dermody – WIN, 1.2 innings pitched, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 SO.

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) – 5-3 win

After dropping the first two games of the series against the Reading Fightin Phils, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to get into the win column on Wednesday afternoon. After both a good performance on the mound and at the plate, the Fisher Cats were able to pick up the victory 5-3, improving their record on the year to 2-4.

Right-handed pitcher and Blue Jays top pitching prospect Sean Reid-Foley took the hill for the team, and it was not an outing to remember. The young flamethrower was only able to go 1.2 innings, allowing three runs off of three hits and two walks. The only silver lining to Reid-Foley’s outing was that he was still able to strikeout three batters.

While Reid-Foley may have struggled, the relief pitching surely did not. Alonzo Gonzalez came in to relieve Reid-Foley and pitched quite well. The left-hander was able to go 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out three. After Gonzalez was pulled, left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza (1-0) came in and picked up the win, allowing two hits and striking out two over two innings.

Toronto Blue Jays /

Toronto Blue Jays

Finally, Jose Fernandez was brought in for the final two innings. The lefty allowed zero hits and one walk while striking out three, leading to his first save of the season.

At the plate the Fisher Cats also performed very well on the day, registering 11 hits and one walk. The player who led the team offensively today was infielder Gunnar Heidt, who went 3-4 with a homerun, a double and three RBIs.

The other players to pull their weight at the plate were Richard Urena (1-4), Harold Ramirez (1-4, 2B), Ryan McBroom (1-4), Emilio Guerrero (2-4), Raffy Lopez (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jonathan Davis (1-3, BB), Roemon Fields (1-3).

While the Fisher Cats are not off to a great start on the season, this is certainly a game they will build off. Up next for the team is the Hartford Yard Goats, and the series is set to kick off on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

MVFC: Gunnar Heidt – 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI.

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Florida Fire Frogs (Braves) – 11-5 win

The 2-4 Dunedin Blue Jays faced off against the Florida Fire Frogs, and it is safe to say they eased themselves into a 3-4 record. The game was all Blue Jays from the second inning until the ninth, and Dunedin ended up taking the game by a final score of 11-5.

Right-hander Jordan Romano started the game for the Blue Jays and pitched very well. The young Canadian went four innings, allowing 1 run (0 earned) on three hits and three walks. Romano also collected three strikeouts.

Coming in relief of Romano was Ryan Cook (1-0), who would ultimately end up taking home the win. The right-hander went three shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. The next two pitchers to pitch were Adonys Cardona and Andrew Case.

Cardona pitched pretty poorly, allowing two hits and a walk over one inning. However, none of those baserunners came around to score. The Canadian right-hander Case had absolutely no success today, allowing four runs off of four hits while striking out one over a single inning of work.

On the offensive side, the Blue Jays flat out raked. The team collected 14 hits and nine walks, leading to a whopping 11 runs.

The team was lead at the plate by former first-round pick D.J. Davis, who went 3-5 with a double and 3 RBIs.

The other players to produce (everyone) were Andrew Guillotte (2-6, RBI), Cavan Biggio (2-6, 2 RBI, SB), Juan Kelly (1-4, BB, RBI), Danny Jansen (1-5), Derrick Loveless (0-2, 3 BB), Matt Dean (2-4, BB), Lane Thomas (1-2, 3 BB, 3 RBI) and J.C. Cardenas (2-4, BB, RBI).

The Blue Jays will head to Jupiter to play a doubleheader against the Hammerheads on Thursday. The first pitch in game one is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

MVFC: D.J. Davis – 3-5, 2B, 3 RBI.

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) + (Doubleheader) – 4-0 win, 5-3 loss (both games 7 innings).

After being rained out on Tuesday, the Lansing Lugnuts and Bowling Green Hot Rods played a doubleheader on Wednesday. The two teams split on the day, with each team taking home both a win and a loss.

Game one was all Lugnuts, as they got off to a 1-0 lead in the first and never looked back. The team ended up shutting out the Hot Rods, taking the game by a score of 4-0.

Right-handed pitcher Andy Ravel picked up the win (1-0), going five strong innings while allowing 3 hits and no walks. Ravel also registered four strikeouts on the day. It was a great start to the season for Ravel, all he will be looking to build off his performance next time out.

After Ravel left the game, left-handed pitcher Tayler Saucedo came into the game and pitched the final two innings. Saucedo came out of the bullpen hot, allowing zero hits or walks all while striking out 5 batters.

As for the offense, the team definitely made the most of their opportunities. While the Lugnuts only had seven hits, they showed patience and plate discipline by walking five times as well.

Second baseman and highly touted prospect Bo Bichette led the way for the Lugnuts, going 1-3 with a walk, a double and two RBIs.

The other Lugnuts to contribute on offense were Edward Olivares (1-4, RBI), J.B. Woodman (1-4), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (0-3, BB, RBI), Bradley Jones (0-3, BB), Christian Williams (1-3), Ryan Hissey (1-3), Jake Thomas (1-2, BB), Yeltsin Gudino (1-2, BB).

MVL Game 1: Andy Ravel – 5.0 innings, 0 R, 3 hits, 4 SO, 0 BB.

While everything seemed to go right for the team in game one, unfortunately, game two did not bring forth the same results. While the game was close from the get-go, the Lugnuts ended up losing to the Hot Rods by a score of 5-3.

Right-handed pitcher Justin Maese (0-1) started the game for the Lugnuts. In a solid but not spectacular outing, Maese was able to go the distance for the team, pitching six innings while allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk.

On offense, the Lugnuts actually had more hits than they had in game one, collecting eight of them. However what was much different in game two was their ability to walk, as they were not able to draw a single walk all game.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the way on offense, going 2-3 with a home run and an RBI. The other players to step up offensively were J.B. Woodman (2-3), Bo Bichette (1-3, RBI), Christian Williams (1-3, RBI), Bradley Jones (1-3) and Nash Knight (1-3).

Sitting with an impressive 5-2 record, the Lugnuts will be looking to build off Wednesday’s solid performance when they square up against the Lake County Captains on Thursday evening. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m.

MVL Game 2: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 2-3, HR, RBI.

Next: Anthony Alford Raking Thus Far

That’s all for Wednesday’s MiLB recap – check in tomorrow morning for a recap of Thursday’s MiLB action.

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