Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Farm System Continues Hot Streak

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system, examining the AAA-A levels. The team’s played a combined five games on Sunday, going an impressive 4-1. The affiliates are back in action on Monday, where they will look to continue their great play from Sunday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) – 1-0 win

After winning the first two games of their series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Buffalo Bisons were looking for the series sweep in game three. It was a ten inning pitching dual, with the final score being 1-0 in favour of the Bisons. With the win, the Bisons now have a season record for 50-64.

Brett Oberholtzer took the hill for the Bisons, and he gave the team a fantastic outing. The left-hander picked up the no decision after going six shutout innings, allowing just five hits and three walks while striking out four. With the good outing on Sunday, Oberholtzer’s season ERA sits at 4.22.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Chad Girodo, Jeff Beliveau and Leonel Campos (2-0). The first to pitch, Girodo, pitched a shutout seventh inning, allowing just one hit. Girodo was then replaced by Beliveau, who went 1.2 innings, allowing no runs off of zero hits and three walks. Finally, Campos came in to pick up the win after pitching 1.1 innings, allowing just one walk.

While the team certainly pitched well today, they actually didn’t hit all that poorly either – they just couldn’t capitalize until late. The Bisons scored just one run off of eight hits and nine walks, which simply means they weren’t all that clutch today.

The players who contributed offensively were Gregorio Petit (2-4, 2B, BB), Jake Elmore (3-5), Dwight Smith Jr. (0-4, BB), Teoscar Hernandez (0-0, BB, R), Rowdy Tellez (1-4), Jason Leblebijian (0-3, BB), Mike Ohlman (2-3, RBI, 2 BB), Roemon Fields (0-3, BB) and Shane Opitz (0-2, 2 BB).

After sweeping the IronPigs, the Bisons will be looking to do the same when they begin a series on Monday with the Indianapolis Indians. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Brett Oberholtzer – 6 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 SO

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) + (Doubleheader) – 5-0 loss, 5-3 win

GAME 1: After losing the first game of their series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to get even on Saturday. Unfortunately the two teams were rained out, so a doubleheader was scheduled for Sunday. In game one the Fisher Cats did one not fair so well, losing 5-0 in seven innings.

Newly acquired prospect Thomas Pannone (6-2) started game one for the Fisher Cats, and he had a rough outing. The lefty was handed the loss after pitching 4.1 innings, allowing five runs off of six hits and three walks, while striking out six. With the rough performance today, Pannone’s ERA is now 3.01.

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Jose Fernandez and Francisco Rios. Fernandez, the first of the two relievers to pitch, went one shutout inning, allowing zero hits or walks while striking out two. Rios then came in to pitch the final 1.2 innings, allowing no hits or walks as well.

Related Story: A Look At Thomas Pannone

The Fisher Cats did not get a good start from Pannone, but they did not hit the ball well either. The team was shutout after registering just two hits and zero walks – a total that won’t win a team too many games.

The players that pulled their weight at the plate in game one were Jonathan Davis (1-3, 2B) and Tim Lopes (1-3, SB).

MVFC GAME 1: Jonathan Davis – 1-3, 2B

GAME 2: After losing the first game of their doubleheader and the first two games of their series, the Fisher Cats were looking to avoid the series sweep in game two of the doubleheader. The team hit and pitched quite well in game two, leading them to a 5-3 win in seven innings. With the win and the loss on Sunday, the team sits with a season record of 46-67.

Highly touted prospect Sean Reid-Foley (8-9) started game two for the Fisher Cats, and he pitched very well. The right-hander picked up the win after he went six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) off of seven hits and one walk, while striking out five. After a solid outing today, Reid-Foley’s season ERA now sits at 4.44.

The untouchable Carlos Ramirez came in for his third save of the season, pitching the final inning while allowing zero runs off of two hits while striking out two. Ramirez’s season ERA still sits at 0.00 after 23.2 innings pitched.

At the plate, the team hit quite well in game two. The Fisher Cats scored five runs off of 13 hits and three walks – an impressive total over seven innings.

The players who made a difference offensively were Tim Lopes, (1-3, BB, R), Richard Urena (3-4, RBI, R), Anthony Alford (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (2-3, 2B, R), Reese McGuire (1-2, 2B, RBI, BB, R), Emilio Guerrero (2-3, R) and Gunnar Heidt (2-2, RBI, BB, SB).

While they lost the series, the Fisher Cats will be looking to build off their win in game three when they begin a new series with the Akron RubberDucks on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC GAME 2: Sean Reid-Foley – 6 IP, W, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 SO

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays) – 6-3 win

After taking the first two games of their series with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Dunedin Blue Jays were looking for the sweep with a victory in game three. The Blue Jays came out red hot, and ended up holding on for a 6-3 win. After defeating the Stone Crabs on Sunday, the team now sits with a season record of 60-52.

Conor Fisk (7-9) started the game for the Blue Jays, and he gave the team a solid outing. The right-hander picked up the win after he pitched six innings, allowing three runs off of five hits and three walks, while striking out three. With the quality start today, Fisk’s season ERA now sits at 4.17.

The two pitchers to toe the rubber out of the pen for the Blue Jays were Alonzo Gonzalez and Jackson McClelland. Gonzalez was first to pitch out of the bullpen and he threw two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one. Jackson then pitched a shutout ninth inning, allowing one hit while striking out one on route to his fifth save of the season.

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At the plate, the Blue Jays hit the leather off the ball. The team scored six runs off of ten hits and four walks – a total that will win a team most games.

The players to contribute on offense were Bo Bichette (0-4, RBI, BB), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-2, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R), Connor Panas (1-4), Juan Kelly (2-4, RBI, R), Jake Thomas (2-4), Michael De La Cruz (2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R), D.J. Davis (1-4, R, SB) and J.C. Cardenas (1-3, RBI, BB).

After sweeping the Stone Crabs, the Blue Jays will be looking to continue their hot play on Monday when they begin a series with the Daytona Tortugas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Michael De La Cruz – 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Dayton Dragons (Reds) – 5-3 win

After taking game one of their series with the Dayton Dragons, the Lansing Lugnuts were looking to take a two game series lead in their four game series on Sunday. It was a close one from start to finish, with the Lugnuts taking it by a score of 5-3 in ten innings. With the win, the Lugnuts now sit with an overall season record of 55-54.

Patrick Murphy started for the Lugnuts, and he gave the team a good outing. The right-hander picked up the no decision after going six innings, allowing two runs off of four hits and two walks while striking out four. Murphy has been excellent for the Lugnuts this season, sporting a 2.67 ERA.

The two pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Connor Eller and Nick Hartman (2-1). The first pitcher to toss, Eller, worked for two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one. Hartman then came in to pitch the ninth, where he blew the save after allowing a run. However Hartman came out for the tenth, and was ultimately credited with the win. He finished with a final line of two innings pitched, allowing one run off of three hits and one walk while striking out three.

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While the team certainly pitched well today, they also hit the ball well enough to pick up the win too. The Lugnuts scored a total of five runs off of nine hits and two walks, which is a total that will win you a lot of game.

The players to make a difference at the plate today were Rodrigo Orozco (3-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R), Joshua Palacios (3-4, 2B, BB, R), Edward Olivares (1-5), Nash Knight (0-0, BB, R), Mitch Nay (0-3, RBI) and J.B. Woodman (2-4, HR, RBI, R).

After taking the first two games of the series, the Lugnuts will be looking for a win against the Dragons in game three out of four when they square off on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

MVL: Rodrigo Orozco – 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R

Next: The Legend of Bo Bichette Continues To Grow

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

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