Blue Jays MiLB recap – Bonus baseball and walk offs!

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system. The Bisons steal an extra innings win and the Lugnuts walk it off.

Buffalo Bisons at Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers)
6-2 Win

Saturday fans got plenty of bonus baseball after a pitcher’s dual between the two clubs went for 12 innings. The Mud Hens were able to plate two runs in the 2nd inning off of Bison started Joe Biagini. Biagini pitched 3.1 innings and allowed both runs on a two run homer to Matt den Dekker. Those were the only runs allowed by the Bisons as the bullpen threw nine scoreless innings. Each reliever pitched at least two innings as the combination of Carlos Ramirez, Jeff Beliveau, Murphy Smith, and Chad Girodo paved the way for the come back. The efforts of the bullpen were phenomenal as they battled through those innings as the Mud Hens had seven hits, five walks, but struck out ten.

The offense took a while to get going as Mud Hens’ pitchers continually kept the Bisons off the board. Jason Leblebijian was able to break through in the 5th with a 2-run homer. This was Leblebijian’s 11th of the season and was key to forcing the extra innings affair. Flashing forward to the top of the 12th where the Bisons charged as the bats came to life. The four run rally was started with a Danny Jansen single to lead off the inning. Jon Berti then reached on an error and was followed with a walk to Roemon Fields. Christian Lopes then laced a double into center field to score them all. Lopes advanced to third on a wild pitch and was drove in on a Dwight Smith Jr. single. The four run inning would seal the victory. Rowdy Tellez also extended his hitting streak which now stands at 11 games in a row.

T.J. House will get the start Sunday evening against the Mud Hens.

MVB – Christian Lopes 3-5 with a double, a run scored, a walk, and 3 RBI

New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Erie SeaWolves (Tigers)
0-11

Not much went right for the Fisher Cats on Saturday in Erie as the Sea Wolves ripped apart the Cats’ pitchers. Sean Reid-Foley was the first to get blitzed as he was tagged for seven runs on seven hits. This included a pair of two run homers in the 2nd inning. He was pulled from the game after 2 innings. Justin Shafer followed and pitched three innings and allowed one run on three hits. He also allowed a home run to Kody Eaves, with Eaves posting five RBIs off Cats pitchers. Jose Fernandez allowed the final two runs in his inning of work.

The offense was held in check as well. They only managed two hits and three walks. The lack of base runners typically will lead to a shut out and there was nothing different going on in this one. Anthony Alford and Andrew Guillotte had the only hits for the team.

Conner Greene will look to give the bullpen some rest after the beating Saturday. Green has been able to throw five innings at least in his past three outings.

MVFC – Dusty Isaacs 2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, a walk, and a strikeout

Dunedin Blue Jays at Fort Myers Miracle (Twins)
6-9 Loss

The D-Jays offense was pretty good but the pitching just could not hold back the Miracle. T.J. Zeuch got the start as he continues to build up, post DL. He went just 1.2 innings and allowed seven (three earned) runs while he was on the mound. The Miracle was ready to jump on the extra opportunities that were given to them by the D-Jays. Dan Lietz would allow one more run before the pitchers were able to put the fire out.

The D-Jays offense kept chipping away at the lead thoughout the game but came up just short. They never were able to put up a big number in one inning and were just 2-11 with runners in scoring position. Bo Bichette hit his second home run as a D-Jay and picked up a 2nd RBI in a 1-4 performance. Cavan Biggio scored twice for the second day in a row. Juan Kelly went 2-4 and drove in a pair. D.J. Davis also continues to rake at the plate with another 2-4 night. Davis has had four multi-hit games in his last five.

John Straka will close out the series and look to salvage a win for the D-Jays against the Miracle.

MVDJ – Juan Kelly 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI

Lansing Lugnuts vs Lake County Captains (Indians)
7-6 Win

There is nothing better then a walk off win. Edward Olivares continues his excellent season with a bases loaded single to win it all for the Lugnuts. Olivares would go 2-4 during the game and had two RBIs. The walk off was set up by Rodrigo Orozco double, an intentional walk to Nash Knight, and a bean ball on Mitch Nay. Nash Knight was walked after having a 3-4 night with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. They were not counting on pegging Nay to allow Olivares to hit with the bases loaded, clearly. Nay did have a pair of RBIs as well.

Patrick Murphy went to battle on the mound for the Lugnuts on Saturday as he remained in the game for six innings. He allowed three earned runs but was on the mound for five of them as the defense struggled. Murphy allowed seven hits, three walks, and struck out five. Geno Encina came on and closed the door to pick up his 4th win. Encina threw three innings and allowed just two hits while striking out five.

Osman Gutierrez will get the ball on Sunday against the Captains. He will look to keep trending upward to keep the momentum of the walk off win alive for the Lugnuts. Gutierrez has pitched well over his last tree starts. He has thrown 18 innings while allowing just 5 runs and striking out 17 batters.

MVL – Nash Knight 3-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored, a walk, and 2 RBI

Next: Bullpen sounds right for Sanchez to finish season