Blue Jays MiLB recap – Dunedin Jays hold on

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system.  The Dunedin Blue Jays were able to hold on to their lead as the rest of the system had troubles with big offensive innings from their oppositions.

Buffalo Bisons vs Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals)
5-7 Loss

The Bisons came up 2 runs short of a big comeback Wednesday.  Heading into the bottom of the 9th the Herd were down 7-1.  They began to charge and were able to score 4 in the inning before finally being shut down by the Chiefs.  Ian Parmley led the way in the 9th with a 2 run double.  Dwight Smith Jr. chipped in a sac fly that scored Parmley.  The newly re-acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a double to drive in the 4th run in the inning.  Jason Leblebijian struck out to end the game a batter later though.

Leblebijian did go 2-5 with a pair of doubles during the game.  The Bisons had 6 doubles during the contest.  Roemon Fields continues to impress as he had a 2-3 evening with an RBI double.  He is currently on an 11 game hitting streak.  He has played in just 13 games with the Bisons and has been very productive in the bottom of the Herd attack.

On the hill

T.J. House

had his first rough outing of the season.  He pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 runs.  He did allow just 5 hits, but walked a season high 6 batters as he struggled to get strikes.  The biggest blow was a grand slam that he allowed to Chiefs catcher

Jhonatan Solano

.  The ‘pen also struggled as the allowed 3 runs in the remaining 4 innings.

Luis Santos

will get the ball for the Bisons Thursday evening.  He will be facing the Chiefs.

MVB – Roemon Fields 2-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and an RBI

New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs Trenton Thunder (Yankees)
6-7 Loss

The Fisher Cats allowed a huge inning to the Thunder and they came up just short of coming back in this one.  The Thunder were able to score 5 runs in the top of the 6th to take a 7-3 lead at the time.  Connor Greene had been pitching well until a walk and a base runner reaching on an error knocked him out of the game in the top of the 5th.  Jose Fernandez came on and allowed a 3 run home run to Billy Fleming.  Fernandez allowed a pair of earned runs in his inning of work.  Connor Greene pitched 5 innings allowing 4 earned runs.  He allowed 6 hits while walking 2 and surrendering a solo homer during the outing.

The offense tried their hardest to take back the lead in this one.  They slowly chipped away at the Thunder’s lead.  Richard Urena had a nice evening as he went 2-5 with a solo homer in the 9th to put the Cats within one.  Ryan McBroom and Anthony Alford collected 7 of the 13 hits for the Fisher Cats.  McBroom went 3-5 with a double and a solo home run and Alford went 4-5 with a run scored.  Recent call up Danny Jansen collected his second hit of his young Double A career with a double in this one.  He also scored twice while batting in the 7th spot.

Jon Harris will take on the Thunder Thursday morning at 11:35 AM EST.

MVFC – Ryan McBroom 3-5 with a double, a solo home run, a run scored, and an RBI.  Triple shy of the cycle.

Dunedin Blue Jays vs Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays)
7-6 Win

The D-Jays were able to hold off a late assault on the bullpen by the Stone Crabs to claim the victory.  The Crabs were able to claw together 2 runs in the final frame before they were finally shut down by Daniel Young.  T.J. Zeuch got the start in this one and pitched 7 innings.  He allowed 11 hits and a 2-run homer during this one on his way to surrendering 4 earned runs.  He also walked a pair and struck out 6.

Lane Thomas picked up 3 RBIs during this one.  He picked up the first one on a ground out and the other 2 on a single in the 3rd inning.  Juan Kelly went 2-4 with a double and a triple while picking up an RBI.  D.J. Davis also had a triple in his 2-4 outing.  He drove in a run and scored as well.  Max Pentecost continues to crush the Florida State Leagues pitchers as he picked up 2 more hits.  He picked up his 29th RBI of the season in this one and ranks 3rd in the League in the category.

Ryan Borucki will close out the series against the Stone Crabs on Thursday evening.  He will look to continue the solid run he has been on in his last 3 starts.  Over those starts he has allowed just 1 run in 9.1 innings.

MVDJ – Juan Kelly 2-4 with a double, a triple, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI

Lansing Lugnuts vs Fort Wayne Tin Caps (Padres)
4-6 Loss

A big 9th inning allowed the visiting Tin Caps to take a win out of the Lugnuts tool bag Wednesday.  The Lugnuts were ahead 4-3 heading into the top of the 9th and the Tin Caps showed they had something left in the tank as the lashed out for 3 runs.  Jackson McClelland walked the first batter he faced, who later stole second.  He then allowed a single to put runners on first and third.  After another stolen base, the runners were both in scoring position which led to the mayhem.  A fielder’s choice, a single, and a pair of doubles translated to 3 runs for the Tin Caps.

Justin Maese got the start for the Lugnuts and allowed 3 runs through 6.2 innings.  He scattered 8 hits on his way to striking out 5 batters.  Maese was solid but had been masterful in his previous 2 starts.  In case you missed it he threw a complete game 5 hitter in his previous start.  He is now 4-2 on the season with a 4.09 ERA that is quickly decreasing.

On offense Bo Bichette supplied the damage.  Bo went 2-2 with a pair of walks. He was able to drive in 3 runs and scored one himself.  In the first inning he scored on a Bradley Jones‘ single after stealing his 5th bag of the season.  In the 3rd inning he drove in a pair on a double to left.  He drove in Nick Sinay and Edward Olivares.  He also drove in J.B. Woodman in the 7th on a single.  Woodman had doubled with 2 outs to get the tag on run to put the Lugnuts up to close the 7th.

Patrick Murphy will get the ball to open the series in South Bend against the Cubs.

MVL – Bo Bichette 2-2 with a double, 2 walks, a run scored, 3 RBI, and a stolen base

Next: Maile showing strides in Martin's absense