Blue Jays MiLB recap – Rowley throws a gem

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system.  The losing streaks continue as the Fisher Cats deflate the Rubber Ducks.

Buffalo Bisons at Pawtucket Red Sox
3-7 Loss

The skid continues as the Bisons turned on the offense a little too late Friday night.  The Herd was able to score 3 runs in the final 4 frames, but the Paw Sox were in control during this one.  The Sox got to Cesar Valdez early and did not take their foot off the gas pedal.  Valdez would allow 4 earned runs over his 6 innings of work.  Wil Browning would come into the game next and did not fair much better.  He would record 2 outs and allow 3 earned runs as the Sox pushed this one out of reach.

The Bisons were shut out for the first 5 innings by Jalen Beeks of the Sox.  They were able to get the first 2 runners on in the 6th inning and scored their first run on a fielding error that scored Jonathan Diaz.  Jason Leblebijian came through with a single to score Roemon Fields to put the Herd down by 2 at the close of the 6th.  This is when the Sox beat up on Browning, tagging on 3 runs.  Dwight Smith Jr. hit a solo home run in the 8th as the Bisons lost their 5 game in a row.

The Bisons will inject some new talent as Lucas Harrell makes his first start for the Herd.  Hopefully a new look will spell an end to this losing streak.

MVB – Dwight Smith Jr. 2-4 with a home run, a run scored, and an RBI

New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs Akron Rubber Ducks (Indians)
8-1 Win

Another gem from Chris Rowley and plenty of offense led to a solid victory for the Fisher Cats Friday.  Chris Rowley continues to roll as he pitched a 7 inning masterpiece against the Rubber Ducks.  Rowley was nearly untouchable on the hill as he allowed just 3 hits and a walk.  The Ducks were some how able to score one run on that little bit of production though.  Rowley also stuck out 7 during the wonderful start.

The Cats were able to support Rowley with plenty of runs on his way to his 3rd win.  Twelve hits and 4 walks translated into 8 runs for the Cat attack.  Second basemen Gunnar Heidt continues to show off a great swing as he went 2-4 with a pair of RBIs.  Richard Urena is coming to life at the plate lately and had another 2 hit performance with an RBI.  He is now batting .333 over his last 10 games with 8 RBIs.  Hitting machine Danny Jansen stroked a home run while going 2-4 with 2 runs scored.  He has been making himself right at home in double A since his promotion 16 games ago.  Yet another Cat hitter had a two hit night as Harold Ramirez popped two doubles and drove in a run.  Steve Pearce was the only Cats hitter to not reach base during this one as he went 0-3.

Sean Reid-Foley will look to remain in the form he has found in his past 2 starts.  He has had more control and looked like he has figured things out from his early struggles in those starts.

MVFC – Chris Rowley 7 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K’s

Dunedin Blue Jays vs Bradenton Marauders (Pirates)
4-8 Loss

After the Marauders jumped out to an early lead in this one, the D-Jays bats turned things around.  The D-Jays scored 4 in the 2nd inning but then the offense went silent as the Marauders ran away with this one.  Bradley Jones got things started in the 2nd with a single to lead off the inning.  A pair of walks led to the bases being loaded for J.C. Cardenas.  Cardenas hit a fielder’s choice to open up the scoring.  A sac fly was hit by Josh Almonte to score the 2nd run.  Then Cavan Biggio capped off the inning with a 2 run bomb to deep left center field.

Ryan Borucki got the start for the D-Jays and had his first rough start since April.  The Marauders pillaged 7 runs off of Borucki through 3.2 innings.  Borucki struggled and allowed 4 walks and 7 hits while striking out 5.  The bullpen would keep the ship from sinking completely, but for the 2nd night in a row the bats stay quiet for the majority of the game.  The D-Jays were cruising at the end of May, but have yet to win a game in June as they have lost 9 in a row.

Jordan Romano will be looking to end the losing streak Saturday evening in Dunedin against the Marauders.  Romano has just two wins on the year, but has been a consistent source of solid innings for the D-Jays.

MVDJ – Cavan Biggio 1-5 with a 2 run homer

Lansing Lugnuts at Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres)
4-5 Loss

The Tin Caps were able to get to Denis Diaz early in this one to take a 3-0 lead at the close of the 2nd inning.  This put the Lugnuts in a comeback situation early and they fell just short of it.  Diaz would pitch 4.2 innings allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks.  He would strikeout six and the big blow was a 2 run homer by Marcus Greene Jr.  Andrew Deramo and Connor Eller would combine for the remainder of the game on the mound.  Deramo allowed a tag on run that ended up being the the deciding factor in the contest.

Christian Williams got the Lugnuts on the board in the 3rd inning with a 2 run single.  In the 6th inning Edward Olivares continued to show off his skills with the bat as he popped his 8th home run of the season.  Olivares now has a nine game hitting streak and has four homers with 10 RBIs over that span.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also picked up another hit and is now the owner of a six game hitting streak.

Yennsy Diaz gets the start for game 2 of the series in Fort Wayne.  Diaz will be making his Lansing debut after pitching for the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Appalachian League last year.

MVL – Christian Williams 1-5 with 2 RBI

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