Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Disappointing Day, Teams Go 0-4

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 it was not a great day, to say the least. The teams went a combined 0-4 and will be looking to improve mightily on Friday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees) – 4-3 loss

After losing the first two games of their series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to salvage the third and final game by picking up a win. While the team was in the game from the start, they were unable to come out on top, losing 4-3 in 11 innings. With the loss, the team now sits with a disappointing season record of 37-50.

Cesar Valdez took the hill for the Bisons, and he spun an absolute gem. The right-hander took the no-decision after he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing seven hits while walking just one. After today’s great start, Valdez saw his season ERA drop to 3.48.

The four relief pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Matt Dermody, Chris Smith, J.P. Howell (REHAB) and Murphy Smith (2-2). The first of the four, Dermody, pitched a single inning for the Bisons, allowing one unearned run off of two hits while striking out one. Chris Smith then replaced Dermody, allowing one run off of two hits over just one inning of work, leading to a blown save.

J.P. Howell then came in to pitch the tenth inning on a rehab assignment, and he pitched to a shutout performance. Finally, Murphy Smith came in to shut the door and force the game to the 11^th, but he was unable to do so, allowing two runs (one earned) off of two hits and a walk, leading to his second loss of the season.

While the team certainly did not pitch well, they didn’t swing the bats all that well either. Three runs off of eleven hits and three walks over 11 innings is not something to be proud of, and the Bisons will be looking to improve on their performance today.

The players who contributed offensively were Jon Berti (0-4, BB), Michael Saunders (0-4, BB, R), Dalton Pompey (1-4, 2B, RBI), Dwight Smith Jr. (1-5, 2B, R), Ian Parmley (1-1), Mike Ohlman (1-5), Gregorio Petit (2-5, RBI, R, SB), Jason Leblebijian (2-5), Jake Elmore (1-4, BB) and Roemon Fields (2-5, RBI, SB).

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Toronto Blue Jays

The Bisons will be looking to put this series behind them when they play the first of three games with the Pawtucket Red Sox on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Cesar Valdez – 7 IP, 0 R, 7 H, BB, 3 SO

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) – 8-7 loss

After winning the first two games of their series with the Portland Sea Dogs, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking for a series sweep by picking up a win on Thursday. After leading for pretty well the entire game, the Fisher Cats imploded in the ninth, allowing four runs and ultimately losing the game by a score of 8-7. With the loss, the team now sits with an abysmal season record of 34-51.

Highly touted prospect Conner Greene started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he pitched quite well. The right-hander went seven innings, picking up the no-decision after allowing three runs off of nine hits and one walk. This season has been a tad bit of a disappointment for Greene, as he is posting a season ERA of 4.37.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Danny Young, Carlos Ramirez and Justin Shafer (2-2). The first of the three, Young, did not pitch all that well. The left-hander went just two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run off of three hits. Ramirez then came in to get one out in the eighth, maintaining his 0.00 season ERA. Finally, Shafer came in to pitch, and it was quite possibly the worst outing of his career. The righty went just a third of an inning, picking up the loss after allowing four runs off of three hits and a walk.

The Fisher Cats offense definitely showed up on Thursday, scoring seven runs off of 15 hits and four walks – a total that will win you games nine times out of ten.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate today were Jonathan Davis (1-5, BB, R), Richard Urena (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Tim Lopes (4-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Harold Ramirez (2-5, 2B, SB) Gunnar Heidt (1-5, 2B, R), Alex Monsalve (1-4, 2B), Jake Thomas (2-4, RBI, BB) and Andrew Guillotte (3-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB).

After losing the game but taking the series with the Sea Dogs, the Fisher Cats will be looking for another series win when they start a three-game series with the Trenton Thunder. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Andrew Guillotte – 3-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) – 8-0 loss

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Dunedin Blue Jays and Lakeland Flying Tigers were both looking to win the series with a victory on Thursday. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays only the Flying Tigers showed up to play, as the team lost 8-0. The team now sits just one game below .500 for the season at 41-42.

Angel Perdomo (5-6) toed the rubber for the Blue Jays, and he was roughed up pretty badly. The left-hander took the loss after going just two innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) off of five hits and three walks. While he did not pitch well today, Perdomo’s season ERA of 3.70 is quite impressive.

Four pitchers saw action out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays today, and they were Ryan Cook, Adonys Cardona, Jackson McClelland and Philip Walby. Cook (two innings), McClelland (one inning) and Walby (two innings) all pitched shutout inning(s) of work, while Cardona allowed one run off of three hits and zero walks over a single inning pitched.

At the plate, the Blue Jays did absolutely nothing – after all, they were shutout. The team scored zero runs off of six hits and one walk – an embarrassing total.

The only players to contribute on offense were Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1-4), Michael De La Cruz (1-4), Connor Panas (2-4, 2B), J.C. Cardenas (2-4, 2B) and Mike Reeves (0-2, BB).

After dropping both game three and the series with the Flying Tigers, the Blue Jays will be looking to start fresh when they begin a series with the Clearwater Threshers on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Connor Panas – 2-4, 2B

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) – 3-2 loss

After splitting the first two games of their series, the Lansing Lugnuts and West Michigan Whitecaps were set to play the third and final game of their series on Thursday. While the Lugnuts were in it from the beginning, they were unable to pick up the win, losing a tough one by a score of 3-2. With the loss on Thursday, the Lugnuts now sit with a season record of 42-39.

Mike Ellenbest started the game for the Lugnuts, and he gave the team a solid outing. The right-hander picked up the no decision after he went five strong innings, allowing two runs off of four hits and six walks while striking out two Whitecaps. Ellenbest now sits with a brutal season ERA of 6.57.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Andrew Deramo (0-3) and Jared Carkuff. Deramo, who ended up taking the loss today, went two innings for the team, allowing one run off of four hits and two walks. Carkuff then came in to pitch the final two innings, allowing zero runs off of just one hit.

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Offensively the Lugnuts did not do their part, as they scored just two runs off of five hits and six walks.

The players to contribute with the sticks were Rodrigo Orozco (0-4, BB, R), Mitch Nay (1-4), Edward Olivares (1-5, 2B), Bo Bichette (1-2, 2 BB), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-4, HR, RBI, R), Andres Sotillo (0-1, 2 BB), Nash Knight (1-4, 2B) and Yeltsin Gudino (0-3, BB).

After dropping both the game and the series with the Whitecaps, the Lugnuts will be looking to get back in the win column on Friday when they begin a series with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

We at Jays Journal would also like to congratulate two of the team’s top prospects, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, on their promotion to Dunedin. We expect more great numbers, and we are sure they will produce.

MVL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1-4, HR, RBI

Next: Pompey Close To MLB Return?

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

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