Blue Jays MiLB recap – Bisons’ bats awaken

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system. The Herd bats power the path to victory and Harris dominates for the Fisher Cats.

Buffalo Bisons at Columbus Clippers (Indians)
10-4 Win

The bats appear to have finally awoken from their slumber as the Bisons hit the road to take on the Clippers. The Herd trampled the Clippers’ Adam Plutko, who was left out to dry as he was beaten for 10 earned runs in the first four innings. The major damage was done on a pair of three run bombs.  Mike Ohlman cranked the first one in the 3rd inning to extend the lead to 7-0 at the time. An inning later, Raffy Lopez popped the other three run blast to put the Herd ahead 10-1.  Michael Saunders had a great showing in the lead off spot Tuesday as he went 2-5 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, and 2 RBI.

On the hill the Bisons were equally impressive as TJ House picked up his 7th win after throwing five innings of work. He allowed two runs on just four hits, while walking a pair.  He also struck out six during the outing. Tim Mayza followed with two shut out innings and struck out three. Matt Dermody had a rough inning and allowed a two run homer to Richie Shaffer. The homer was his 20th of the season. Wil Browning pitched a perfect 9th and struck out one.

The Bisons will look to keep things rolling against the Clippers Wednesday as Cesar Valdez takes the mound. Valdez has been phenomenal in his past 2 starts as he has thrown 14 innings while allowing just 1 run.

MVB – Raffy Lopez 2-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI

New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies)
5-2 Win

Jon Harris got some late support in this one to secure his 5th win of the season after an incredible effort on the mound. Harris has been on a roll lately and appears to have turned the corner.  He threw seven solid innings in this one while putting everything together well.  He threw 112 pitches and 75 of them were for strikes. He walked just one batter and struck out seven while allowing one run on four hits. Dusty Isaacs would pitch the final two frames and record his second save of the season. He did allow a home run to Mitch Walding in the 9th, but calmed things down and nailed down the W.

On offense the Fisher Cats had a few bombs in the late innings that sealed the deal. Tim Lopes opened up the scoring for the Cats with a double that scored Harold Ramirez in the second.  Jonathan Davis had a great game and hit a two-run homer that really was the difference in the game. The home run in the 7th inning broke the tie putting the Cats up 3-1.  In the 8th Tim Lopes struck again with a two run shot for his 3rd RBI of the game. The Cats collected 10 hits and came out on top with a great start from Harris.

Shane Dawson will get the start Wednesday as he hopes to find his form and limit the opposing Fighting Phils.

MVFC – Tim Lopes 3-4 with a double, a home run, a run, and 3 RBI

Dunedin Blue Jays at Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
0-6 Loss

The D-Jays were shutout on Tuesday as the Threshers newest starter dominated through six innings of work. Ranger Suarez allowed just five hits and struck out 10 Jays hitters during the outing.  The bullpen for the Threshers followed suite and cut down the Jays offense. Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr. collected five of the D-Jays six hits. Bichette had a pair of singles, and Vlad had three of them.

Ryan Borucki allowed more than three runs in a start for the first time since June 9th. He allowed four earned runs in this one on 6 hits.  He got beat with the home run ball as the Threshers hit two, which accounted for three of the four earned runs. Ryan Cook came on in relief and allowed another home run that put the Threshers up 6-0. The bats were not there to support a rough night on the mound for the D-Jays.

Jordan Romano will get the start in the next one against the Threshers. He is looking to bounce back from a horrific start in which he allowed seven earned runs in three innings.

MVDJ – Vlad Guerrero Jr. 3-4

Lansing Lugnuts
Travel Day

The Lugnuts travel to Davenport, Iowa to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits. The Lugnuts will look to ride the momentum from the walk off victory yesterday into the series. Mike Ellenbest will get the start in game one Wednesday.

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