Blue Jays MiLB Recap - Teams Get Hot, 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 for the day, going an impressive 3-1. The affiliates will definitely be looking to build off their performances from Thursday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Norfolk Tides (Orioles) + (Doubleheader) – 3-0 win, 2-1 loss

GAME ONE: After playing a doubleheader with the Norfolk Tides on Wednesday, the Buffalo Bisons were set to play another doubleheader against the Tides on Thursday. Game one was all Bisons from the start, and they ended up picking up the win by a score of 3-0 in seven innings.

Mike Bolsinger (1-1) started for the Bisons, and it was a masterful one. The right-hander picked up his first win on the season after going five shutout innings, allowing just three hits and zero walks while striking out six. Bolsinger’s ERA for the season now sits at an astounding 1.46.

The pitcher to come in relief of Bolsinger was John Stilson. The righty registered the save by going two shutout innings out of the bullpen, allowing zero hits or walks. Stilson also lowered his ERA for the season to 1.74.

Offensively, the Bisons had a pretty solid day. The team had eight hits and five walks, leading to three runs over seven innings.

The player who led the way at the plate was first baseman, Rowdy Tellez. While he is hitting an abysmal .175 on the season, the left-handed hitter went 2-3 on the day with a walk, a home run, and three RBIs.

The other players to make a difference at the plate in game one were Christian Lopes (0-2, 2 BB, R), Dwight Smith Jr. (3-4, 2 2B, R), Luke Maile (1-4), Jake Elmore (1-3, 2B) and Shane Opitz (1-1, 2 BB, SB).

GAME ONE MVB: Mike Bolsinger – 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 SO

GAME TWO: After taking the first game, the Bisons were looking to sweep the day and pick up a win in game two. In a game that was a nail-biter, the Bisons ended up losing by a score of 2-1 in seven innings. After splitting the two games today, the team now sits with an impressive 13-6 record for the season.

Minor-league veteran Chad Girodo toed the rubber to start game two and pitched very well. The left-hander went three scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and walking none while striking out five. Girodo left the game with a no decision, and his ERA for the season now sits at an impressive 2.19. If more injuries hit the big league ball club, watch for Girodo to possibly get his first shot in 2017.

The next two pitchers to pitch were right-handers, Will Browning and Leonel Campos. Browning (3-1) was hooked with the loss, and he did not have an outing to remember. The righty went two innings, allowing two runs off of four hits and zero walks while striking out three. Campos pitched the final inning for the Bisons, throwing a scoreless frame while giving up no hits and walking just one.

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The bats from game one did not carry over to game two, as the team was only able to grind out three hits and no walks, leading to just one run.

There was no real standout performance offensively, as the team only scored one run. However the players to make a difference at the plate were Dwight Smith Jr. (1-3, 2B, R), Jake Elmore (1-3, RBI) and Jonathan Diaz (1-1).

After splitting the final two games of the series today, the series between the Buffalo Bisons and Norfolk Tides will end with a 2-2 split. The Bisons will be looking to build on their good start when they start a series with the Durham Bulls on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

GAME TWO MVB: Chad Girodo – 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 SO

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Day Off

It was an off day for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and hopefully, it was spent in relaxation. When you play a long series, resting your body at any opportunity you can is key for long-term success.

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays) – 8-7 win

With the series on the line, the Dunedin Blue Jays were looking to take down the Charlotte Stone Crabs in game three. In what was a game that was pretty well all Stone Crabs from the start, the Blue Jays exploded for five runs in the ninth inning and won the game 8-7. The team improved their record to 11-10 on the season.

Ryan Borucki started the game for the Blue Jays, and his outing was not pretty. The left-hander went just four innings, allowing five runs (three earned) off of six hits and one walk. Borucki now sits with an ERA of 6.52 for the season.

The relief pitchers to take the hill for the Blue Jays on Thursday were Josh DeGraaf, Danny Young and Kender Villegas (1-1). The first of the three, DeGraaf, went two innings, allowing one run off of two hits and zero walks. The left-hander Young came in after DeGraaf and pitched a scoreless inning, but allowed two hits in that inning. Young’s ERA is still sitting at an amazing 0.00 for the season. Villegas, the final pitcher to toe the rubber for the Blue Jays, picked up the win on the game after going two innings, allowing one run off of three hits and a walk.

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Offensively, the Blue Jays had a very good day. The team had 12 hits and three walks, leading to eight runs and a series victory.

The player who led the way at the plate today was Max Pentecost. The guy has been absolutely raking, and it continued on Thursday. Pentecost went 2-4 with a home run and three RBIs, improving his average on the season to .315 and his OPS to .975.

The other players who contributed for the Blue Jays on offense were Cavan Biggio (1-4, BB), Andrew Guillotte (2-5, 2 R), Danny Jansen (2-5, 2 RBI, R), Derrick Loveless (1-4, 2B, R), Lane Thomas (1-2, 3B, R, 2 BB, RBI) Matt Dean (1-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Kevin Vicuna (2-3, 3B).

The Blue Jays play again on Friday when they open a three-game series with the Fort Myers Miracle. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Max Pentecost – 2-4, HR, 3 RBI

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) – 5-1 win

The Lansing Lugnuts entered the day looking to take an early lead in their series with the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Fortunately for the team, both the offense and pitching were clicking, which ultimately led to a 5-1 victory. The Lugnuts now sit with a season record of 11-10.

Right-hander Andy Ravel (2-0) started the game for the Lugnuts, and he quite simply spun a gem. Ravel picked up the win, pitching seven innings while allowing one run off of four hits and one walk. Ravel had easily his best outing of the season today, and it lowered his ERA to 5.87 for the year.

The only other pitcher to see action in this game was Dan Lietz. The left-hander went two shutout innings, allowing zero hits or walks while striking out three.

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On offense, the Lugnuts hit the ball pretty well. The team had ten hits and two walks, which led to five runs and a victory.

The player who stood out the most at the plate was the Blue Jays’ top prospect, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The slugging third baseman went 2-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Guerrero Jr. is living up to the hype so far this season, hitting an absurd .338 with an OPS of 1.005.

The other players to make a difference at the plate today were Edward Olivares (1-4), Joshua Palacios (1-4, 2B, BB, RBI, R), J.B Woodman (1-5, 2B, R), Jake Thomas (0-3, BB, R), Bradley Jones (2-4, 2 RBI), Christian Williams (1-4) and Yeltsin Gudino (2-3, R).

After taking game one of the series, the Lugnuts will look to take a commanding series lead with a win against the Hot Rods on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. EST.

MVL: Andy Ravel – 7 IP, R, 4 H, BB, 3 SO

Next: 1 on 1 With Prospect Bradley Jones

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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Blue Jays MiLB Recap – Teams Get Hot, Go 3-1