Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Teams Sweep, Go 3-0

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system, looking at the AAA-A levels today. The team’s played a combined three games on Saturday, going an impressive 3-0. The affiliates are back in action on Sunday, where they will look to continue their hot play from Saturday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) – 6-4 win

After winning the first game of their series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to clinch the series win with a victory on Saturday. The team ended up playing pretty well, leading them to the 6-4 win. The team now sits with a season record of 49-64.

Luis Santos took the hill for the Bisons, and he gave the team a mediocre outing. The right-hander picked up the no decision after going four innings, allowing two runs off of five hits and four walks while striking out four. He now sits with an impressive season ERA of 3.87.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Murphy Smith (3-4), Tim Mayza and Chris Smith. The first to pitch, Murphy Smith, picked up the win after he went three innings, allowing one run off of just one hit while striking out two. The next pitcher to see action was Mayza. The left-hander went one shutout inning, allowing zero base runners while striking out two. Chris Smith, the final pitcher to see action, closed out the game after pitching one inning, allowing just one run off of one hit on route to his seventh save of the season.

While the team pitched to a decent performance today, they also hit quite well. The Bisons scored six runs off of nine hits and five walks – a very, very solid day at the plate.

The players who contributed offensively were Jon Berti (0-3, BB), Dwight Smith Jr. (0-1, 3 BB, R), Rowdy Tellez (1-4, 2B, RBI), Teoscar Hernandez (1-4, 2B, R), Danny Jansen (1-3, BB, R), Gregorio Petit (2-4, 2B, RBI, 3 R), Jason Leblebijian (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Roemon Fields (3-4, 2 RBI, SB).

The Bisons will be looking to build off this win when they look for the sweep of the IronPigs on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Roemon Fields – 3-4, 2 RBI, SB

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) – RAIN OUT

The game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Richmond Flying Squirrels was washed away on Saturday, forcing the two teams to play a doubleheader on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST.

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays) – 6-4 win

After splitting the first two games of the series with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Dunedin Blue Jays were looking to take game three of four on Saturday. The team was able to do just that, picking up a 6-4 win. After the victory on Saturday, the Blue Jays now sit with an overall season record of 59-52.

Josh DeGraaf (6-1) started the game for the Blue Jays, and he gave the team another spectacular outing. The right-hander picked up the win after he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out six. DeGraaf has been great for the Blue Jays so far this year, posting a season ERA of 2.33.

The three pitchers to toe the rubber out of the pen for the Blue Jays were Geno Encina, Philip Walby and Dan Lietz. Encina was first to throw of the three, and he pitched a single inning, allowing one run off of three hits and no walks. Walby then came in for the ninth, but was beat up pretty badly. The right-hander went just 0.2 of an inning, allowing three runs off of one hit and three walks. Lietz then came in to relieve Walby and pick up the save, allowing one hit and one walk over 0.1 of an inning.

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At the plate, the Blue Jays hit very well. The team scored six runs off of 11 hits and one walk – a total that will win you most games.

The players to contribute on offense were Max Pentecost (1-4, RBI), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2-4, HR, RBI, R), Connor Panas (1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R), Juan Kelly (2-4, R), Michael De La Cruz (1-4, R), Josh Almonte (2-4, 2B, R), D.J. Davis (1-2, BB, R, SB) and J.C. Cardenas (1-4, RBI).

With a 2-1 series lead over the Stone Crabs, the Blue Jays will be looking for the series win with a victory in game four on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Josh DeGraaf – 7 IP, W, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 SO

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Dayton Dragons (Reds) – 4-1 win

The Lansing Lugnuts and Dayton Dragons were set to begin a four game series on Saturday, and the game was pretty low scoring until a Lugnuts surge in the seventh and eighth that led them to a 4-1 win. After the victory, the Lugnuts now sit with a season record of 54-54.

Yennsy Diaz started for the Lugnuts, and he pitched very well. The right-hander picked up the no decision after going six innings, allowing one run off of five hits and two walks while striking out nine. After today’s impressive outing, Diaz sits with a 3.88 season ERA.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Juliandry Higuera (3-0) and Jared Carkuff. The first pitcher to toss, Higuera, worked for two innings, picking up the win after allowing no runs and no baserunners, while striking out two. Carkuff then came in to pitch the final inning, picking up the save after pitching a spotless ninth.

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While the team pitched very well today, the bats were decent as well. The Lugnuts scored four runs off of eight hits and three walks – a total that was good enough to get them the win today.

The players to make a difference at the plate today were Rodrigo Orozco (1-4, BB), Joshua Palacios (1-4, R), Nash Knight (1-3, BB), Mitch Nay (1-4, R), J.B. Woodman (2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R), Yeltsin Gudino (1-4, RBI) and Mattingly Romanin (1-4, RBI).

After taking the first game of their series with the Dragons, the Lugnuts will be looking to take game two of four on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST.

MVL: Yennsy Diaz – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 9 SO

Next: Blue Jays Hidden Asset - Gunnar Heidt

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