Blue Jays MiLB Go Combined 3-1

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of four games, and for the most part, it was a great day. The teams went a combined 3-1, and will be looking to build off this performance on Friday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals) – 4-3 win

After winning two of the first three games of the series with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Buffalo Bisons were looking for the series win with a victory on Thursday. The team did just that, picking up a 4-3 win, improving their record on the season to 21-17.

Luis Santos took the hill for the Bisons and pitched a very good game. The right-hander went five shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six. Santos’ ERA for the season is now an impressive 3.52.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Jeff Beliveau, Matt Dermody (3-0) and Chris Smith. The first of the three to pitch, Beliveau, went two innings, allowing one run off of one hit and a walk. Dermody then came in to relieve Beliveau, and he did not pitch well at all. The left-hander picked up both a blown save and a win, going one inning, allowing two runs (one earned) off of two hits and a walk. The final pitcher to see action was Smith, who came in and shut the door on route to earning his second save of the season. His ERA on the season remains at 0.00.

While the team pitched pretty well, they also had a good game at the plate. The Bisons were extremely disciplined, walking six times and getting eight hits, which led to four runs and a win.

The other players who contributed offensively were Rowdy Tellez (2-4, RBI), Raffy Lopez (0-3, BB), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (1-1, R, 3 BB) Jason Leblebijian (1-4, 3B, 2 RBI), Jake Elmore (1-4), Christian Lopes (0-2, 2 BB, R), Shane Opitz (1-4) and Roemon Fields (2-4, RBI, R).

We've recalled @dsmith25blujay from the @BuffaloBisons. He'll be available off the bench to make his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/S9T693LD6R
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 18, 2017

After taking the series with the Chiefs, the Bisons will begin a series with the Pawtucket Red Sox on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Luis Santos – 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 SO

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Trenton Thunder (Yankees) – 9-2 loss

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats have not been playing well at all lately, and their losing ways continued on Thursday against the Trenton Thunder. The Fisher Cats were walloped 9-2, which led to a series sweep for the Thunder. The Blue Jays’ AA affiliate now has a record of 12-27 on the season.

Right-hander Jon Harris (1-4), started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he did not have a start to remember. Considered by some to be one of the best pitching prospects in the organization, Harris took the loss today after going just 4.2 innings, allowing seven runs off of nine hits and two walks. This season has not been friendly to Harris, as his ERA is a rough 6.75.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen on Thursday were Andrew Case, Kender Villegas and Tim Mayza. The first of the two, Case, pitched quite well. The Canadian went 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit. Villegas came in to pitch next, pitching two shutout innings, allowing a single hit while striking out two. The final pitcher to see action was Mayza, and it was not a good outing to say the least. The left-hander went just one inning, allowing two runs off of one hit and a walk.

The pitching was definitely the problem today for the Fisher Cats, but the bats did not step up either. The team scored just two runs off of seven hits and two walks.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate were Jonathan Davis (1-3, R), Tim Lopes (0-4, BB), Emilio Guerrero (1-4, 3B), Anthony Alford (1-4), Ryan McBroom (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Gunnar Heidt (0-3, BB) and Michael De La Cruz (3-4).

After being swept by the Thunder, the Fisher Cats will begin a series with the Reading Fightin’ Phils on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Ryan McBroom – 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Charlotte Knights (White Sox) – 7-1 win

The Dunedin Blue Jays took two of the first three games of their series with the Charlotte Knights, and much like the Bisons, were looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday. The team came out hot from the start, leading to a 7-1 win. After the win, the team improved their record for the season to 23-18.

Ryan Borucki (1-1) started the game for the Blue Jays and gave the team a great start. The left-hander picked up the win while going 5.1 innings, allowing just one run off of six hits and no walks. Borucki also had five strikeouts.

The relief pitchers to take the hill for the Blue Jays on Thursday were Jared Carkuff, Adonys Cardona and Ryan Cook. The first of the three to see action was Carkuff, and he pitched very well. The righty went 1.2 innings, allowing no runs off of two hits. Cardona then came in to relieve Carkuff, and pitched a shutout inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Finally Cook came in to finish the game, allowing one walk while recording one strikeout in his single inning of work.

Toronto Blue Jays

Offensively, the Blue Jays had a pretty good day overall. The team scored seven runs off of nine hits and eight walks – let’s hope these hot bats stay scorching.

The players to contribute offensively were Andrew Guillotte (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), Troy Tulowitzki *REHAB* (2-3, RBI, BB), Cavan Biggio (0-2, R, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Vicuna (0-1, R), Max Pentecost (1-4, RBI, BB), Juan Kelly (1-4, RBI, BB), Mike Reeves (2-4, R), Josh Almonte (1-3, 2 R, BB) and D.J. Davis (0-3, BB, SB).

After taking their series with the Knights, the Blue Jays play again on Friday when they open their series with the St. Lucie Mets. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Ryan Borucki – 5.1 IP, R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 SO

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. South Bend Cubs (Cubs) – 5-1 win

The Lansing Lugnuts and South Bend Cubs were set to play the first game in their four game series on Thursday, and the game was, for the most part, all Lugnuts. The team was able to take game one of the series after they picked up a 5-1 win over the Cubs, improving their record for the season to 20-17.

Patrick Murphy (3-1) took the hill for the Lugnuts, and he gave the team a very good outing. The right-hander picked up his third win of the season by going seven innings, allowing one run off of three hits and zero walks. Murphy also registered five strikeouts, on route to lowering his ERA on the season to 3.51.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen today were Kirby Snead and Jackson McClelland. Snead, a left-hander, went 0.2 of an innings, allowing no runs off of one hit and walk while striking out two. McClelland then came in to pitch the final 1.1 innings, allowing no runs and picked up his seventh save of the season. McClelland has been great for the Lugnuts, posting a season ERA of 1.69 as the closer.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

The Lugnuts hit the ball well today, but the great pitching shadowed their performance. The team scored five runs off of nine hits and two walks, leading to their victory.

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

After taking the first game of their series with the Cubs, the Lugnuts will be looking to take game two when they square off on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. EST.

MVL: Patrick Murphy – 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 SO

Next: Six Prospects Dominating The Farm

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

Home / Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

Blue Jays MiLB Recap – Affiliates Impress, Go 3-1