Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Lansing Day Off, Teams Go 1-2

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system, looking at the AAA-A levels today. The teams played a combined three games on Tuesday, going an unimpressive 1-2, with the lone win coming from New Hampshire. The affiliates are back in action on Wednesday, where they will look to bounce back from their poor play on Tuesday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Durham Bulls (Rays) – 3-1 loss

After losing the first game of their series with the Durham Bulls, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to get back to even playing ground in game two. Unfortunately, the bats did not come through for the Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate, with the final score being 3-1 in favour of the Bulls. With the loss on Tuesday, the team now sits with a season record of 43-60.

Luis Santos (3-9) took the hill for the Bisons, and he did not pitch well at all. The right-hander picked up the loss after going three innings, allowing two runs off of three hits and two walks while striking out two. He now sits with a season ERA of 3.84.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were newly acquired righty Nick Tepesch, Tim Mayza and J.P. Howell. The first to pitch, Tepesch, went two innings, allowing one run off of three hits and zero walks while striking out three. The next pitcher to throw was the red-hot Mayza. The lefty went 2.2 of an inning, allowing zero runs off of three hits while striking out four. Mayza now sits with a season ERA of 1.64, and should be looked at as a promotion candidate by the big league club.

The final pitcher to see action was J.P. Howell, who actually pitched well for once. The lefty went 1.1 of an inning, allowing zero runs off of one hit.

While the team certainly pitched well out of the bullpen, they did not hit well at all. The Bisons scored just one run off of four hits and two walks – a brutal stat line.

The players who contributed offensively were Jon Berti (1-4), Rob Refsnyder (1-3, BB), Jake Elmore (0-2, BB, R) and Shane Opitz (2-3, 2 2B, RBI).

The Bisons will be looking to take game three out of four from the Bulls in an attempt to claw back to a series split when they play on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Shane Opitz – 2-3, 2 2B, RBI

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) – 11-10 win

After losing the first game of their series with the Portland Sea Dogs, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to get back to .500 in the series with a win in game two. Fortunately the Fisher Cats hit very well, leading them to an 11-10 victory. With the win, the team now sits with a season record of 42-60.

Canadian Shane Dawson started the game for the Fisher Cats, and he had a rough outing. The left-hander picked up the no decision after going four innings, allowing eight runs off of seven hits and four walks.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Tom Robson, Danny Young and Carlos Ramirez (2-0). Robson, the first of the three to pitch, went two innings, allowing no runs while giving up just one walk. The next pitcher to see action was Young, and he did not fare so well. The lefty went 1.1 innings, allowing one run off of three hits an two walks. Ramirez then came in to pick up the win after he pitched the final 1.2 of an inning, allowing just one unearned run off of two walks, keeping his season ERA at 0.00.

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The Fisher Cats offense were the reason they won the game today, exploding for 11 runs off of ten hits and four walks.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate today were Jonathan Davis (2-5, 2 R), Richard Urena (2-5, 2 RBI, R), Harold Ramirez (2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Tim Lopes (1-3, 2 RBI, BB, R, SB), Matt Dean (1-2, HR, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R), Andrew Guillotte (2-4, 2 R) and Anthony Alford (0-2, RBI, BB, R).

After tying up their series with the Sea Dogs, the Fisher Cats will be looking to take both the final game and the series with a win on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Harold Ramirez – 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays) – 5-2 loss

After taking their series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Dunedin Blue Jaya were set to begin a series with the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Tuesday. While getting out to a series lead in game one is ideal, the Blue Jays were unable to do so, losing 5-2. With the loss, the team sits with a season record of 52-49.

Josh DeGraaf (4-1) started the game for the Blue Jays, and he gave the team a so-so outing. The right-hander picked up the loss after he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs off of five hits and two walks while striking out four. While he did not have his absolute best stuff on Tuesday, his season ERA still sits at an impressive 2.88.

The two pitchers to two the rubber out of the pen for the Blue Jays were Dan Lietz and Adonys Cardona. The lefty Lietz was first to pitch, throwing a shutout 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and two walks. Cardona then pitched the eighth inning for the team, allowing two runs off of two hits and three walks.

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At the plate, the Blue Jays did not shine. The team only scored two runs off of seven hits and three walks – a total that will rarely be enough to lead a team to victory.

The players to contribute on offense were Bo Bichette (1-4), Connor Panas (1-3, 2B, BB), Cavan Biggio (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Jake Thomas (0-0, BB), Max Pentecost (2-4), D.J. Davis (0-2, BB, R) and J.C. Cardenas (2-3, R).

After losing game one of their series with the Stone Crabs, the Blue Jays will be looking to take game two when they play on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Cavan Biggio – 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

A: Lansing Lugnuts – DAY OFF

After dropping their series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Lansing Lugnuts had a day off. They will be back in action when they open a series with the Dayton Dragons on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

Next: Blue Jays: Get to know Cesar Valdez

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