Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Affiliates Disappoint, Go 0-3
Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of three games on Saturday, and it was not a great day. The teams went a combined 0-3, and will be looking to improve mightily on Sunday.
AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders (Yankees) + (Doubleheader) – 6-2 loss, 4-0 loss
GAME ONE: After dropping the first game of their series with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders on Friday, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to take a series lead on Saturday when they played a doubleheader. Unfortunately game one did not go so well for the Bisons, losing the game by a final score of 6-2 in seven innings.
Mike Bolsinger (2-2) took the hill for the Bisons, and he did not bring his best stuff to the mound today. The right-hander picked up the loss after he pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three runs off of seven hits and one walk. Despite the loss today, Bolsinger has been great for the Bisons, sporting a 2.29 ERA for the season.
The two relief pitchers to see action out of the bullpen in game one were Matt Dermody and Wil Browning, and neither pitched well. The first of the two, Dermody, went 0.2 of an inning, allowing one run (zero earned) off of two hits and a walk. Browning pitched the final two innings, allowing two runs off of three hits and one walk.
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While the team certainly did not pitch well in game one, they did nothing at the plate either. The Bisons scored just two runs off of six hits and three walks – an unacceptable performance.
The players who contributed offensively in game one were Ian Parmley (1-4, RBI), Mike Ohlman (0-2, BB), Raffy Lopez (1-2, 2B, BB, R), Jason Leblebijian (1-3), Shane Opitz (1-2, RBI), Jake Elmore (1-2, BB, R) and Roemon Fields (1-3).
GAME ONE MVB: Raffy Lopez – 1-2, 2B, BB, R
GAME TWO: After losing the first game of the doubleheader, the Bisons were looking to avoid clinching a series loss with a win in game two. However, once again they did not show up to play, losing the game 4-0 in seven innings. After the two losses today, the Bisons now sit with a 34-33 season record.
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Minor-league veteran Lucas Harrell toed the rubber in game two for the Bisons, and he pitched extremely well. In his first start for the year at the AAA level, the righty took the no decision after he went five shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three.
The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen in game two for the Bisons Chad Girodo (0-3) and Leonel Campos. The first of the two, Girodo, was credited with the loss after going 1.2 of an inning, allowing three runs off of four hits and one walk. Campos then came in to get the final out for the Bisons, but it took awhile. The right-hander went 0.1 of an inning, allowing one run of off two hits while striking out one.
Offensively the Bisons did not make the most of their opportunities, scoring zero runs off of seven hits and one walk. The Bisons really need to improve offensively going forward if they want to have success.
Related Story: It's Time For Jason Leblebijian To Get Called Up
The players who stepped up on offense were Jake Elmore (2-3), Jason Leblebijian (2-3, 2B), Christian Lopes (1-2, 2B, BB), Shane Opitz (1-3) and Jonathan Diaz (1-3).
After dropping both games today, the Bisons are now down 3-0 in their series with the RailRiders. The two teams will finish off their series tomorrow with the Bisons looking to avoid a four-game sweep. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST.
GAME TWO MVB: Lucas Harrell – 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 SO
AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Bowie Baysox (Orioles) – 7-1 loss
After winning the first game of their series with the Bowie Baysox on Friday, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to pick up back-to-back wins and clinch a series victory. Unfortunately the team did not show up to play, losing by a score of 7-1. With the loss, the Fisher Cats now sit with a season record of 28-38.
Sean Reid-Foley (3-5) started the game for the Fisher Cats, and while it was not a brutal outing, it was not a great one either. The highly touted right-hander went 5.2 innings, picking up the loss after allowing three runs off of six hits and one walk. Reid-Foley entered the season with a lot of hype, but it has since cooled down due to his rough 5.33 season ERA.
The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen in the first game were Justin Shafer and Kender Villegas. The first of the two, Shafer, had perhaps his worst outing of the season. The right-hander threw 1.1 of an inning, allowing three runs off of four hits. Villegas then came in to pitch the eighth, allowing one run (zero earned) off of one hit and zero walks.
Related Story: What Is Wrong With Reid-Foley?
While the team did not get a great pitching performance, they also were unable to hit. The team scored just one run off of seven hits and two walks – a performance that will not lead to many wins.
The players that pulled their weight at the plate were Danny Jansen (1-4), Ryan McBroom (2-4), Harold Ramirez (1-4), Gunnar Heidt (2-4, SB), Jake Thomas (0-2, 2 BB, R) and Derrick Loveless (1-4).
After splitting the first two games of the series, both the Fisher Cats and Baysox will be looking for the series win when they square off on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EST.
MVFC: Ryan McBroom – 2-4
A+: Dunedin Blue Jays (All-Star Game)
The Dunedin Blue Jays did not play on Saturday due to the FSL All-Star Game being played in Lakeland, Florida. While the team may not have played, the Blue Jays had four players named to the all-star team – Max Pentecost (DL), Andrew Guillotte (promoted), Danny Jansen (promoted) and Cavan Biggio. Congratulations to the four of them, as making an all-star game at any level is an impressive feat.
A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) – RAIN OUT
The Lansing Lugnuts and West Michigan Whitecaps were set to play game two of their series on Saturday, but unfortunately a storm in the area made the game unplayable. A rescheduled date for the game is yet to be announced, but the two teams will play tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EST.
Next: Bo Bichette - Is He The Blue Jays' #1 Prospect?
That’s all for today’s MiLB recap. Check back in tomorrow when Jays Journal recaps Sunday’s minor-league action.