Blue Jays MiLB recap: Lugnuts win in slugfest

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of four games on Thursday, and for the most part, it was not a great day. The teams went a combined 1-3, but even in the contests they lost, they still managed to stay competitive.

*Note: Due to technical issues, Chris Henderson posted this recap for Nick Raponi (@nickraponi)

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs Toledo Mud hens (Tigers)- 5-2 loss

After winning the first two games of the series with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to clinch the series win with a victory on Thursday. Unfortunately they were unable to do so, losing the game 5-2. With the loss, the Bisons saw their season record drop to 28-23.

Brett Oberholtzer (1-3) took the hill for the Bisons, and did he ever impress. Although he took the loss, the left-hander went seven innings, allowing three runs against five hits and three walks. He has had a great season overall, and his 2.52 ERA is evidence of that.

The two pitchers to see action of the bullpen were Chad Girodo and Wil Browning. The first of the two, Girodo, pitched just 0.1 of an inning, allowing a hit and a walk. Browning following and did not do his job very well either. The right-hander pitched 1.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) against two hits and two walks.

While the team had a decent pitching performance today, the bats were what really hurt the Bisons. The team scored just two runs off of seven hits and two walks- a performance that will not lead to many wins.

The players who contributed offensively were Rowdy Tellez (0-2, RBI), Mike Ohlman (0-3, RBI), Raffy Lopez (1-4), Christian Lopes (1-4), Shane Opitz (0-3, RBI), Jason Leblebijian (3-4), Jake Elmore (1-4), and Roemon Fields (1-5, 3B).

After dropping today’s game, the Bisons will be looking to get back in the win column when they open a series with the Charlotte Knights on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 EST.

MVB: Brett Oberholtzer- 7 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 3 K

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)- 1-0 loss

After winning the first two games of the series with the Senators, the Fisher Cats were looking to continue their winning ways on Thursday in game three. Unfortunately the team was unable to pick up the win, losing in a pitcher’s duel by a score of 1-0. With the loss, the Fisher Cats now sit with a season record of 21-31.

Left-hander Shane Dawson (1-6) started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he pitched quite well. The native of Alberta took the loss today after going five innings, allowing just one run off of two hits and two walks. While the season has not been all that friendly to Dawson, this start should surely improve his confidence.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen on Thursday were Justin Shafer and John Stilson. The first of the two, Shafer, pitched quite well. The right-hander threw two shutout innings, allowing zero hits or walks. Stilson then came in to pitch the eighth inning, allowing no hits or walks either.

While the pitching was lights out today, unfortunately the bats did not show up. The team didn’t score a run while managing five hits and three walks, an embarrassing performance to say the least.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate were Tim Lopes (2-4), Richard Urena (2-4, 2B, 3B), and Ryan McBroom (1-4).

MVFC: Richard Urena: 2-4 (double, triple)

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins): 5-3 loss

After losing the first two games of their series with the Jupiter Hammerheads, the D-Jays were looking to avoid a series loss with a win on Thursday. Unfortunately the team was unable to pick up that victory, losing 5-3 and clinching the series loss. Their record now sits at 29-25 on the season.

Glenn Sparkman (0-1) started the game for the Blue Jays, and although he picked up the loss, the was ultimately hurt by his defence (four total errors in the game). On a rehab assignment from a broken thumb, Sparkman went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs (none earned) against three hits and one walk.

The relief pitchers to toe the rubber for the Blue Jays were Ryan Cook, Philip Walby and Danny Young. The first of the three to action action was Cook, and he provided a mediocre outing. The righty went 2.2 innings, allowing one run against two hits and a walk. Walby then came in to relieve Cook and pitched a pedestrian two innings, allowing one run off of three hits and a walk. Finally, Young came in to pick things up, and threw a shutout ninth, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Offensively the Blue Jays had a bit of a rough day/ The team scored just three runs off of sever hits and three walks- a total that is far from exceptional.

The players to contribute offensively were Dalton Pompey *REHAB* (2 walks), Cavan Biggio (1-4), Lane Thomas (2-4), Mike Pentecost (1-4), Connor Panas (1-4), and Nash Knight (1-4).

The Blue Jays will be looking to avoid a four game series sweep with the Hammerheads when they  play the final game of the series on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 630 pm EST.

MVDJ: Lane Thomas- 2-4, 2B, RBI

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs Lake County Captains (Indians): 15-9

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Lansing Lugnuts and Lake County Captains were looking to pick up a win for the game and the series on Thursday. In a game that featured an offensive breakout from both teams, the Lugnuts held on for a 15-9 victory. The team now sits with a season record of 29-22.

Andy Ravel (4-1) took the hill for the Lugnuts, and although he picked up the win he did not pitch well at all. The right-hander went five innings, allowing six runs against nine hits and a walk. Although he has a 4-1 record, Ravel’s 7.40 ERA has been less than impressive.

The three pitchers to see action of the pen were Tayler Saucedo, Zach Jackson and Jackson McClelland. Saucedo threw two shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Jackson then came in to pitch a terrible eighth, allowing two runs against two hits and a walk. Finally, McClelland came in to finish the game, and the usually stellar reliever also had a rough outing. The right-hander allowing one run off of one hit and two walks, inflating his ERA on the season to a still minuscule 1.80.

Their pitching today was brutal, but thankfully the offence carried the team. The Lugnuts broke out for 15 runs with 21 hits and 8 walks, leading to arguably their best offensive performance of the seasons.

J.B. Woodman (3-6), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3-6), Bradley Jones (2-6), Ridge Smith (2-5), Christian Williams (3-4), Edward Olivares (2-4), Jake Thomas (2-5) and Yeltsin Gudino (4-6) lead the chart for the Lugnuts.

After winning on Thursday, the Lugnuts will be looking to repeat when they kick off a three game set with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7pm EST.

MVL: Yeltsin Gudino- 4-6, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 R

Next: Blue Jays: 2nd MLB generation should be fun

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