Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Teams Go 3-1

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of four games on Sunday, and for the most part, it was a great day. The teams went a combined 3-1, and will be looking to build off this performance on Monday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Charlotte Knights (White Sox) – 8-7 loss

After winning the first two games of the series with the Charlotte Knights, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to clinch the series win with a victory on Sunday. Unfortunately they were unable to do so, losing the game 8-7. With the loss, the Bisons saw their season record drop to 26-21.

Francisco Liriano took the hill for the Bisons on a rehab assignment, and he did not look like he was 100% ready to return to the majors. The left-hander went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) off of three hits and two walks. On the bright side, Liriano did have seven strikeouts.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Wil Browning, Chad Girodo (0-2) and Leonel Campos. The first of the three, Browning, pitched absolutely terribly. The right-hander went two innings, allowing four runs off of five hits and a walk, inflating his season ERA to 5.92. The next pitcher to toe the rubber was Girodo, and he was credited with the loss after going 0.2 of an inning, allowing one run off of two hits. The final pitcher to see action was Campos, who pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing just one hit.

While the team may not have pitched well at all, the bats came out to play and gave Bisons fans something to smile about. The team scored seven runs off of twelve hits and six walks – a performance that would lead to a win in most cases.

The players who contributed offensively were Dwight Smith Jr. (1-4, BB, R), Rowdy Tellez (2-4, 2B, RBI, R), Mike Ohlman (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (0-2, 3 BB) Jason Leblebijian (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R), Jake Elmore (0-4, BB, R), Ian Parmley (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R) and Roemon Fields (2-6, R).

After dropping today’s game, the Bisons will be looking to avoid a series split by winning on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Mike Ohlman – 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) – 5-4 win/10

After winning the first two games of the series with the Reading Fightin Phils, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to continue their winning ways on Sunday in game three. The team did just that, clinching a series win with a 5-4 victory in 10 innings. With the win, the team improved their overall record on the season to 19-29.

Right-hander Sean Reid-Foley started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he pitched quite well. Considered by some to be the best pitching prospect in the organization, Reid-Foley took the no-decision today after going 6.2 innings, allowing two runs off of five hits and one walk. While the season has not been all that friendly to Reid-Foley (5.26 ERA), this start should surely improve his confidence.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen on Sunday were Jose Fernandez, Tim Mayza, Justin Shafer and Alonzo Gonzalez (1-3). The first of the four, Fernandez, pitched quite well. The lefty went 1.1 shutout innings, allowing just one walk. Mayza came in to pitch next, allowing one run off of one hit over 0.1 of an inning.

Related Story: What Is Wrong With Sean Reid-Foley?

The fourth pitcher to see action, Shafer, also did not pitch too well. Over 1.1 innings, Shafer allowed one run off of two hits and a walk all while being credited with his second blown save of the year. The final pitcher to see action, and ultimately today’s pitcher of record, was Gonzalez. The left-hander pitched just 0.1 on an inning, but it was enough to get him his first win of the season.

While the pitching held their own today, so did the bats. The team scored five runs off of 10 hits and six walks – an impressive number which lead them to a 5-4 win.

The player who led the team at the plate was catcher Michael De La Cruz. A native of the Dominican Republic, De La Cruz went 2-4, with one of those hits being a walk-off homerun in the 10^th inning.

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The other players that pulled their weight at the plate were Jonathan Davis (2-5, 2B, 2 R), Tim Lopes (1-4, BB, SB, R), Richard Urena (1-5, 2B, RBI), Andrew Guillotte (1-4), Harold Ramirez (1-3, RBI, 2 BB), Ryan McBroom (1-4, RBI, BB) and Matt Dean (1-2, RBI, BB).

After winning the first three games of the series, the Fisher Cats will be looking for the sweep on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Michael De La Cruz – 2-4, HR, RBI, BB, R

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) – 4-3 win

The Dunedin Blue Jays and the Lakeland Flying Tigers split the first two games of their series, and both teams were hungry to pick up both a win for the game and the series on Sunday. In a closely contested game, the Blue Jays ended up winning by a score of 4-3, improving their season record to 29-22.

Ryan Borucki (3-1) started the game for the Blue Jays and gave the team a great start. The left-hander picked up the win while going 5.2 innings, allowing two runs off of five hits and two walks. Borucki also had an extremely impressive 10 strikeouts on the day.

The relief pitchers to take the hill for the Blue Jays on Thursday were Kender Villegas, Ryan Cook and Danny Young. The first of the three to see action was Villegas, and he pitched well. The righty went one inning, allowing zero runs off of one hit and one walk. Cook then came in to relieve Villegas and pitched a rough 1.1 innings, allowing one run off of one hit and three walks. Finally Young came in to pick up his fourth save of the year, allowing one walk while recording one strikeout in his single inning of work.

Toronto Blue Jays

Offensively, the Blue Jays had a pretty good day overall. The team scored four runs off of eight hits and five walks – a total that should keep you in most games.

The players to contribute offensively were Cavan Biggio (0-4, BB, SB), Lane Thomas (2-4, 2B, BB, R), Max Pentecost (2-5, RBI, R), Juan Kelly (0-3, BB, R), Nash Knight (2-4, RBI), Connor Panas (0-3, BB) and Carl Wise (2-3, RBI, BB).

After taking their series with the Flying Tigers, the Blue Jays will have Monday off before opening a series with the Jupiter Hammerheads on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Ryan Borucki – 5.2 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 10 SO

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers) – 1-0 win/12

After dropping the first two games of the series with the Great Lakes Loons, the Lansing Lugnuts were looking to win game three in order to give them a shot at a series split. In a closely contested pitching matchup, the Lugnuts held on for a 1-0 win in 12 innings. The team now sits with a 27-20 season record.

Patrick Murphy took the hill for the Lugnuts, and he spun a gem. The right-hander went seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks. After today’s great start, Murphy lowered his season ERA to a very impressive 3.19.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen today were Jackson McClelland and Tayler Saucedo (2-1). McClelland, the first of the two, pitched two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. Saucedo then came in to pitch the final three innings, picking up the win after allowing zero runs off of two hits and one walk.

Related Story: Prospect Report: Patrick Murphy

Their pitching today saved the Lugnuts, as they did not see the ball well at the plate. Over twelve innings the team scored just one run off of eight hits and three walks – an embarrassing total.

The only players to contribute to the Lugnuts’ victory offensively were Bo Bichette (1-5, RBI), J.B. Woodman (1-4, BB, R), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2-5), Bradley Jones (1-5), Ryan Hissey (2-4, 2 R, SB), Christian Williams (1-5), Edward Olivares (1-5, 2B), Jake Thomas (0-4, 2 BB, SB) and Andres Sotillo (1-4).

After winning on Sunday, the Lugnuts will be looking to split their four-game series with the Loons with a win on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST.

MVL: Patrick Murphy – 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 SO

Next: Six Prospects Dominating The Farm At The Plate

That’s all for today’s MiLB recap. Check back in tomorrow when Jays Journal recaps Monday’s minor-league action.