Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Affiliates Get Swept, Go 0-4

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. The teams played a total of four games on Thursday, and it was not a great day, to say the least. The teams went a combined 0-4 and will be looking to improve mightily on Friday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals) – 7-6 loss

Losers of seven straight, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to put an end to their skid when they opened a series with the Syracuse Chiefs on Thursday evening. Unfortunately, the team was unable to pick up the win after losing a tightly contested battle 7-6. With the loss today, the Bisons now sit with a season record of 34-38.

Minor league veteran Lucas Harrell took the hill for the Bisons, and once again he pitched quite well. The right-hander took the no-decision after he pitched five innings, allowing two runs off of six hits and three walks.

The three relief pitchers to see action out of the bullpen in game one were Matt Dermody, Wil Browning and Chris Smith (1-2). The first of the two, Dermody, pitched a single inning of shutout ball, allowing one hit while striking out one. Browning then came in to pitch the seventh, and he did not pitch well. The right-hander allowed an abysmal three runs off of three hits and two walks.

Finally, Smith came in to attempt to close out the game, but he was unable to do so. The righty pitched 1.2 of an inning, picking up the loss after allowing two runs off of three hits and zero walks. Smith’s ERA inflated to 4.15 after today’s performance.

While the team certainly did not pitch well, they actually swung the bats impressively. The Bisons scored six runs off of 11 hits and two walks – a total that will lead a team to a win in most cases.

The players who contributed offensively were Christian Lopes (1-3, 2B, RBI, R), Ian Parmley (0-1, SB, R), Rowdy Tellez (1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R), Mike Ohlman (1-4, 2B, R), Gregorio Petit (2-4, 2 2B, RBI, R), Jason Leblebijian (1-4, BB), Shane Opitz (2-4), Jake Elmore (1-3, BB) and Roemon Fields (2-4, 3B, RBI, SB, R).

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After dropping the first game of their series with the Chiefs, the Bisons will be looking to even up the series and snap an eight-game losing streak when the two teams square up on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Roemon Fields – 2-4, 3B, RBI, SB, R

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) – 10-1 loss

After splitting the first two games of their series with the Harrisburg Senators, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to win the series by picking up a win on Thursday. Unfortunately, the team did not show up to play, losing by a score of 10-1. With the loss, the Fisher Cats now sit with a season record of 29-41.

Canadian Shane Dawson (1-7) started the game for the Fisher Cats, and it was not a pretty outing to say the least. The left-hander only managed to go four innings, picking up the loss after allowing eight runs off of ten hits and three walks. This season has not been kind to Dawson, and his 6.16 ERA reflects that.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Alonzo Gonzalez, Jose Fernandez and Danny Young. The first of the three, Gonzalez, pitched quite well. The left-hander threw three innings, allowing one run (zero earned) off of two hits and a walk. Fernandez then came in to pitch the eighth, pitching a scoreless bottom half. Finally Young came in to pitch the ninth and allowing one run off of one hit and one walk.

While the team did not get a great pitching performance, they also were unable to hit. The team scored just one run and was only able to mustard up five hits and a walk – an unacceptable total.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate were Jonathan Davis (0-3, BB, R), Richard Urena (1-4, 2B, RBI), Ryan McBroom (1-4), Harold Ramirez (2-3, SB) and Andrew Guillotte (1-3, SB).

After dropping this series with the Senators, the Fisher Cats will be looking to start fresh on Friday when they open a series with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Harold Ramirez – 2-3, SB

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Tampa Yankees (Yankees) – 6-1 loss

The Dunedin Blue Jays were set to open their series with the Tampa Yankees on Thursday, and both teams were looking to get an early lead in the series. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, only the Yankees showed up, taking the game by a score of 6-1 in five innings (completed early due to rain). With the loss, the Blue Jays now sit with a season record of 34-36.

Canadian Jordan Romano (3-2) took the hill for the Blue Jays, and he was roughed up pretty badly. The right-hander took the loss after going just three innings, allowing six runs (five earned) off of nine hits and zero walks. While he did not pitch well today, Romano’s season ERA of 2.80 is quite impressive.

The only pitcher to see action out of the bullpen was Tayler Saucedo. The left-hander pitched two shutout innings, allowing zero hits or walks while striking out two Yankees.

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At the plate, the Blue Jays also did nothing. The team scored just one run off of three hits and a walk – a total that ultimately lost them the game.

The only three players to contribute on offense were Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1-2), Lane Thomas (1-1, 3B, BB, R) and D.J. Davis (1-2, 3B, RBI).

After dropping game one, the Blue Jays will be looking to even up the series with the Yankees on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Lane Thomas – 1-1, 3B, BB, R

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) – 5-4 loss

The Lansing Lugnuts and West Michigan Whitecaps were set to begin a series on Thursday, and both teams battled hard. While the Lugnuts were in it from the beginning, they were unable to pick up the win, losing a tough one 5-4 in 10 innings. With the loss on Thursday, the Lugnuts now sit with a season record of 37-30.

Yennsy Diaz started the game for the Lugnuts, and the right-hander pitched very well. The native of the Dominican Republic went five strong innings, allowing two runs off of three hits and two walks while striking out six Whitecaps. Diaz now sits with a minuscule 2.31 season ERA.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Dan Lietz and Connor Eller (1-1). Lietz, a lefty, was lit up in his two innings of work, allowing two runs off of three hits and a walk. Eller then came in to pitch the final 2.1 innings, picking up the loss after allowing one run off of three hits and two walks.

Offensively the Lugnuts were good, but not great. The team scored four runs off of seven hits and three walks – a total that is mediocre at best.

The players to contribute with the sticks were Joshua Palacios (1-4, BB), Mitch Nay (1-5, HR, RBI, R), Christian Williams (1-4, 2B, R), Edward Olivares (2-5, 3B, RBI, SB, R), Ridge Smith (0-2, RBI), J.B. Woodman (1-2, 2 BB) and Yeltsin Gudino (1-4, R).

After dropping the first game of their series with the Whitecaps, the Lugnuts will be looking to draw even on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

MVL: Edward Olivares – 2-5, 3B, RBI, SB, R

Next: Bradley Jones Struggling After Promotion

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