Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Lugnuts rake in late innings

Mar 16, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (36) walks back to the dugout at the end of the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (36) walks back to the dugout at the end of the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans line up to enter Rogers Centre prior to game three of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Lansing Lugnuts vs Dayton Dragons (Win 11-6)

Offence, offence, and even more offence was the name of the game in this match up.  In a game that started off looking like a pitchers duel as there were only 3 runs scored in the first 6 innings, it quickly turned into a slugfest.  The Lugnuts pitchers held the Dragons at bay with shutout ball until the top of the 7th.

Ryan Cook pitched 6 innings of 1-hit ball.  Cook allowed just the 1 hit and recorded 5 strikeouts.  The lone hit was the only base runner he allowed in the 6 innings.  Dan Lietz was first out of the pen and promptly allowed 4 runs (2 earned) while only recording 1 out.  Josh DeGraaf came on to stop the bleeding but allowed 2 more runs in the 7th to allow the Dragons to take the lead at the time.  Evan Smith would get a chance to mop up in the 9th after the offense had their way with the Dragons bullpen.

Pitching Grade B-

The Lugnuts offense got things going in the 3rd inning as Ryan Hissey opened up the inning with an infield single.  An Andrew Guillotte bunt single followed to put runners on first and second.  A passed ball then let them move up to second and third and another error while Lane Thomas allowed both runners to score.  Gunnar Heidt singled in Thomas to score the 3rd run of the inning putting the Lugnuts on top 3-0.

Flashing forward to the bottom of the 7th with the Lugnuts now trailing 3-6 the flood gates opened.  Hissey once again led off the inning with a single that was quickly followed by a pair of doubles.  J.C. Cardenas and then Andrew Guillotte followed and scored the 2 runners.  Two outs later the bulk of the rally started.  A set of hard hit RBI triples scored another pair of runs.  Gunnar Heidt and Juan Kelly each collected the RBI tripled in back to back plate appearances.  The Lugnuts erupted for seven runs in the 7th and tacked on another in the 8th.  The Lugnuts batted through the lineup in the 7th and had 3 hitters recorded 3 hits during the game.  Andrew Guillotte, Gunnar Heidt, and Ryan Hissey all recorded 3 hits.  Guillotte also stole 2 bases during the game.

Offensive Grade A+

Next: Russell Martin's slow start looks familiar

Line of the game – Ryan Cook 6 IP with 1 hit, 0 ER, 0 walks, and 5 Strikeouts

Up Next
Lansing Lugnuts @ Bowling Green Hot Rods (Jonathan Harris vs Cameron Varga)