Blue Jays MiLB recap – Early to rise

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system. A set of way to early baseball games went in favor of the Jays system Wednesday.  The bats were up bright and early in the Bisons win

Buffalo Bisons at Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals)
7-1 Win

The Bisons must have had their alarm clocks set bright and early for their lumber as they were ready to go for a 10:30 AM EST game.  A huge 2 out rally in the 3rd got the Herd rolling.  They were able to score 4 on a string of hits.  Shane Opitz and Dwight Smith Jr. reached on singles, but with 2 outs Jack Elmore hit a single that kicked off the party.  Opitz scored on the single which put runners on first and second.

Rowdy Tellez promptly did some damage with a 2 run double.  Jason Leblebijian followed with a double of his own that bounced over the right field wall for the 4th run of the inning.  Raffy Lopez remained hot as he had a 2 run single in the 5th inning to put the Bisons up by 7 at the time.

Cesar Valdez made his Bisons debut and he was impressive.  He pitched 5 innings and did not allow a hit.  He allowed just one base runner on a walk during the outing.  He threw 39 of his 65 pitches for strikes and struck out a pair of batters.  Mat Latos came in for the 6th inning and allowed the first Chiefs run but kept them off the score board.  Luis Santos and Matt Dermody would continue the shut out going into the 9th.  Wil Browning would allow a run in the 9th on 2 hits.  Browning would close the door and seal the win for Valdez.

T.J. House will lead the Bisons into the series against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on Thursday.  House is fresh off of a 7 inning masterpiece against the Iron Pigs in his last outing.

MVB – Cesar Valdez 5 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts

New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies)
4-3 Win

Sean Reid-Foley must have woke up on the right side of the bed for this early morning affair.  Reid-Foley showed what he is capable in this start as he was solid for 5 innings.  He allowed just 3 hits and 1 run.  He had pin point control and kept hitters guessing as he struck out 7 hitters.  He was later rewarded for his best start of the season with the win.  Chris Rowley was equally impressive as he struck out 7 batters in 3 innings of work.  Tim Mayza would record the save but nearly let things get out of control as he allowed a pair of runs in the 9th.

A key tag on run in the top of the 9th ended up being the deciding factor in this game.  Gunnar Heidt hit a double and was driven in on a Mike Reeves single to put the Cats up 4-1 heading into the bottom of the inning.  Harold Ramirez supplied some power with his 2nd home run of the season.  The solo homer put the Cats ahead early in this one.

Conner Greene and the Fisher Cats will take on the Altoona Curve Thursday evening.  Greene allowed just 4 hits in his last outing and has a 3.57 ERA through his first 6 starts.

MVFC – Sean Reid-Foley 5 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and 7 strikeouts

Dunedin Blue Jays at Tampa Yankees
4-2 Win

The morning trend continues as the D-Jays first pitch was at 10:30 AM Wednesday.  The D-Jays jumped out to a 2 run lead in the 2nd inning on 4 singles.  Josh Almonte and D.J. Davis collected RBIs on their singles to put the D-Jays up.  Josh Almonte was not done there though.  Almonte hit a long home run to right center field for his first of the season.  The 2 run homer put the D-Jays up 4-0.

Angel Perdomo did not need a ton of run support as he marched right through the Yankees hitters.  He would pitch 5 innings and didn’t allow a run, while giving up 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5.  He now has a 3.38 ERA through 34.2 innings this season.  He picked up his 3rd win Wednesday for his effort.  Andrew Case shut things down and collected his 4th save of the season.

T.J. Zeuch will get the start in the series opener against the Daytona Tortugas Thursday evening.

MVDJ – Angel Perdomo 5 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, 5 strikeouts

Lansing Lugnuts at Clinton LumberKings
Rain Out

The Lugnuts were rained out in Clinton on Wednesday but will pick things back up against the Kane County Cougars on Thursday.  Justin Maese will make the start after not being able to get his start Wednesday.  The Lugnuts will hope to keep their bats hot during their trip to Kane County.  The Lugnuts are 8-2 in their past 10 and have scored 63 runs while allowing 42.

Next: The injuries keep coming