Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Dunedin Breaks Out For 16 Runs

Feb 19, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer (32) pitches during spring training at Bobby Mattix Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer (32) pitches during spring training at Bobby Mattix Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of five games, going a respectable 2-3 on the day. While the affiliates will be looking to improve, today was certainly something to build off.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) + (Doubleheader) – 1-0 loss, 5-4 loss

GAME ONE: The Buffalo Bisons and Lehigh Valley IronPigs were set to play a doubleheader on Sunday after one of their two games on Saturday was rained out. Game one was a pitching duel from start to finish, as the Bisons fell to the IronPigs by a score of 1-0 in seven innings.

Brett Oberholtzer (0-2) took the hill for the Bisons, and he really impressed. While he may have taken the loss, the left-hander went a strong 5.2 innings, allowing just one run off of five hits and two walks. Although he is yet to pick up a win, Oberholtzer’s ERA is an impressive 2.36 so far this season.

The only pitcher to see action out of the bullpen was John Stilson. The righty went 1.1 shutout innings, allowing zero hits or walks while striking out two. Stilson has been lights out this year, owning an impressive 1.32 ERA this season with the Bisons.

Although the team only played seven innings, their performance at the plate in game one was nothing short of pitiful. The team had just three hits and four walks, leading to zero runs.

The players who contributed offensively in the first game were Dwight Smith Jr. (1-3), Rowdy Tellez (0-2, BB), Jason Leblebijian (0-2, BB), Jake Elmore (0-1, 2 BB) and Shane Opitz (2-3).

GAME ONE MVB: Brett Oberholtzer – 5.2 IP, R, 5 H, 2 B

GAME TWO: Much like in game one, the Bisons lost by just one run in game two, this time by a score of 5-4 in seven innings. Other than a rough first inning the team played quite well, but unfortunately, after going 0-2 today, the team dropped their record on the season to 16-11.

Luis Santos (1-2) started the game for the Bisons and it was not an outing to remember, to say the least. The right-hander picked up the loss and went just one inning, allowing four runs off of four one hit and three walks.

Pitching in relief of Santos in game two were Jeff Beliveau, Wil Browning and Matt Dermody, and all and all, the trio pitched quite well. Beliveau went two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. The next pitcher to pitch, Browning, went three innings allowing one run off of two hits and zero walks. Finally, Dermody came in to pitch a shutout seventh inning, allowing just one hit.

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Offensively, once again the team struggled. The Bisons were only able to get five hits and walk twice, leading to four runs. While it would have been enough to win in game one, unfortunately, they were one run short in game two.

The players to contribute on offense were Darrell Ceciliani (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Mike Ohlman (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Jason Leblebijian (1-3, R), Raffy Lopez (1-3, R), Jonathan Diaz (0-2, BB) and Roemon Fields (1-3, RBI, R).

After dropping the series 2-1 against the IronPigs, the Bisons will be looking to get back in the win column on Monday when they begin a three-game series with the Syracuse Chiefs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST.

GAME TWO MVB: Mike Ohlman – 1-2, HR, RBI, BB

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) – 12-4 loss

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Binghamton Rumble Ponies were playing the third and final game of their series with one another, and the winner today would win the series. From the first pitch, the Rumble Ponies seemed to want it more, defeating the struggling Fisher Cats 12-4. The Fisher Cats now sit with an ugly 10-19 record for the season.

Francisco Rios (3-3) started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he did not have a good outing. The right-hander went just 4.1 innings, allowing eight runs off of seven hits and six walks, all while allowing three home runs. After being tagged with the loss today, Rios now sits with a .500 record and an impressive season ERA of 3.86.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen on Thursday were Josh DeGraaf and Kender Villegas. The first of the two, DeGraaf did not have a good outing. The right-hander went 1.2 innings, allowing three runs off of five hits and one walk. Villegas came in to relieve DeGraaf of his duties and pitched the best of the three. The righty went three innings, allowing one run off of three hits.

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays /

Toronto Blue Jays

The pitching was definitely the problem today for the Fisher Cats, but the hitting was not all that phenomenal either. The team scored four runs off of seven hits and one walk – which averages out to less than one base runner per inning.

The players that pulled their weight today on the offensive side were Tim Lopes (1-4), Ryan McBroom (1-3, BB, 2 R) Harold Ramirez (2-4, RBI, R), Gunnar Heidt (2-4, R), Patrick Cantwell (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Derrick Loveless (0-2, RBI).

After dropping their series with the Rumble Ponies 2-1, the Fisher Cats will be looking to get on track when they begin a three-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Ryan McBroom – 1-3, BB, 2 R

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) – 16-4 win

After dropping the first two games of their series with the Bradenton Marauders, the Dunedin Blue Jays were looking to avoid a sweep on Sunday – and they did that and more. The Blue Jays broke out offensively, winning by a score of 16-4 and improving their record for the season to 17-14.

Ryan Borucki started the game for the Blue Jays, and he, for the most part, did his job. The left-hander went 2.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) off of three hits and a walk. He also registered three strikeouts.

The relief pitchers to take the hill for the Blue Jays on Thursday were Ryan Cook (2-0), Philip Walby and Danny Young. Cook was the first to pitch and was credited with the win after going 3.1 innings, allowing one run off of two hits and one walk. Cook also had five strikeouts.

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The next pitcher to toe the rubber was Walby. The righty went two innings, allowing one run off of one hit and two walks. The final pitcher to see action was Young, who pitched a shutout ninth inning, surrendering just one walk.

Offensively the Blue Jays absolutely tattooed the ball around the park. The team scored 16 runs off of an absurd 22 hits and three walks.

Every single starting player contributed in some way or another offensively today, leading to the team’s masterful performance. The stats were as follows: Andrew Guillotte (1-6, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB), Cavan Biggio (3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Max Pentecost (4-6, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R), Juan Kelly (1-5, R), Danny Jansen (4-5, 2 HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB), Lane Thomas (3-6, 2 R), Matt Dean (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB), Connor Panas (2-5, 2 R, RBI, BB), and D.J. Davis (1-5, RBI, R).

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The Blue Jays play again on Monday when they open a three-game series with the Tampa Yankees, and they will be hoping their bats stay hot. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Danny Jansen – 4-5, 2 HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Burlington Bees (Angels) – 9-4 win

After winning and losing one game each, the Lansing Lugnuts were hungry for a series win with the Burlington Bees. The Lugnuts swung the bats well, leading a 9-4 win for the game and a 2-1 series win. The team now sits with a season record of 16-12.

Denis Diaz took the hill for the Lugnuts, and it is safe to say he did not pitch well. The native of Honduras went two innings, allowing four runs off of four hits and four walks. It has not been a good start to the season for Diaz, and he now sits with a season ERA of 7.11

Griffin Glaude (1-1), Geno Encina and Zach Jackson were the pitchers to see action out of the bullpen today, and all three pitched exceptionally well. The first of the three, Glaude, spun a gem, picking up the win after going four shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five. Glaude lowered his ERA for the season to 4.42 after today’s great performance.

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Encina came in to relieve Glaude, pitching two shutout innings. Finally, Jackson came in to close the door, pitching a perfect ninth.

It was a day to build off of for the Lugnuts offensively, as they scored an impressive nine runs off of thirteen hits and six walks.

The player who led the way offensively for the Lugnuts was Ryan Hissey. The catcher went 2-5 with a triple, a double, four RBIs and a run scored.

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The other players to have good at-bats and contribute to the win for the Lugnuts were Joshua Palacios (2-5, R, SB), J.B. Woodman (2-4, RBI, BB, R), Bo Bichette (2-4, 2 2B, RBI, BB, R), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (0-4, BB, R), Bradley Jones (2-3, 3B, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R), Christian Williams (2-5, RBI, R), Edward Olivares (1-4, 3B, RBI) and Yeltsin Gudino (0-3, BB, R).

The Lugnuts are set to play next on Monday when they begin a series with the Clinton LumberKings. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.

MVL: Ryan Hissey – 2-5, 3B, 2B, 4 RBI, R

Next: 1 on 1 With Bradley Jones

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