Blue Jays MiLB recap – Sleeping bats

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system.  The Bisons and the Lugnuts could not get going at the plate and the Fisher Cats pitchers had a bad day.

Buffalo Bisons vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders (Yankees)
0-2 Loss

Glenn Sparkman and the Bisons got put in the hole quickly by the Rail Riders. The Rail Riders got to Sparkman quick with a 2 run first inning. The two runs came off of a single, a double, a passed ball, and a sac fly as the Rail Riders moved the line.  Sparkman settled in and threw 4 innings allowing just 1 earned run. He allowed 3 hits and a walk while striking out a batter as he continues to work his way to the Blue Jays. The bullpen was locked in as Chris Smith pitched 3 innings and did not allow a run.  He even held the Rail Riders to 3 hits.

The offense just could not find footing in this close matchup. The pitching performances kept this game close but the bats were dead on arrival in this one.  Caleb Smith of the Rail Riders would pitch a complete game 1 hit shutout.  Ian Parmley collected the only Bisons hit and there were only 2 other base runners during the game. The horrible month of June can not end soon enough for the Herd as they were swept by the Rail Riders.

Brett Oberholtzer will get the ball to start the series in Rochester against the Red Wings.

MVB – Chris Smith 3 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 K

New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Bowie Baysox (Orioles)
7-13 Loss

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A huge first inning deficit turned into a hit parade in Bowie Sunday.  The Baysox beat up Jon Harris in the first inning for 7 runs. He was chased after recording just 2 outs in the inning. He would be charged all 7 runs while allowing 8 hits.  Alonzo Gonzalez would get the Fisher Cats out of the inning. The Cats would strike back with a pair in the top of the 2nd. Those runs were scored on a throwing error and an RBI single by Alex Monsalve. The teams battled as the Fisher Cats hung on for dear life every time the Baysox scored more runs. The Sox were able to separate with a 3 run bottom of the 6th inning.

Jonathan Davis was able to go 4-5 in this one with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Andrew Guillotte led the way in the Fisher Cats 13 hit game. Guillotte scored 3 times while going 3-4 at the plate. He also hit a solo home run in the 6th.  Alex Monsalve would drive in a pair of runs during the game as well. The Cats bats were awake in this one but their pitching collapsed to allow the Baysox to run away with this one.

The Fisher Cats head home to play Tuesday against the Harrisburg Senators.

MVFC – Andrew Guillotte 3-4, a home run, 3 runs scored, and an RBI

Dunedin Blue Jays
All-Star Break

Cavan Biggio got into the All-Star game for the FSL North Division All-Stars. He went 1-2 after pinch hitting and playing 2nd base.

The Dunedin Blue Jays will resume Monday at home against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.  A starter for the D-Jays is yet to be announced.

Lansing Lugnuts vs West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)
1-10 Loss

A rough day for the Lugnuts pitchers led to a big loss on Sunday. Osman Gutierrez got the start and was solid on his first trip through the Whitecaps lineup. Things changed as quickly as the tide as the Whitecaps bats lit up Gutierrez for 5 runs over his final 6 outs. Gutierrez allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. Geno Encina and watched the trend continue as he allowed 2 more runs over his inning of work. Connor Eller and Tayler Saucedo settled things down for an inning each but Dan Lietz came on and allowed 3 more runs to score.

At the plate, the Lugnuts could not do anything to solve the Whitecaps pitchers. Spenser Watkins and John Schreiber held the Lugnuts to just 3 hits and 3 walks. It was amazing that the Lugnuts were able to score the 1 run with the few amount of base runners.  Rodrigo Orozco was credited with the RBI from drawing a walk with the bases loaded.

The Lugnuts close the door on their first half to the season with a 37-29 record and currently sit in 4th place in the division.

The Lugnuts will kick off the second half of the season on Thursday in West Michigan to take on the Whitecaps. The Midwest League All-Star game is Tuesday.

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