Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Three walk-off wins

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system, today looking at the AAA-A levels. Wednesday was an exciting day to say the least, as there were three walk off wins between the teams in the organization. The affiliates went a combined 3-1 on the day, and will be looking to build upon their stellar play on Thursday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Indianapolis Indians (Indians) – 5-4 win

After losing the first game of their series with the Indianapolis Indians, the Buffalo Bisons were looking to even up the series by taking game two. In a tightly contested game, the Bisons walked off the Indians in ten innings with the final score being 5-4. With the win, the Bisons now sit with a season record of 55-68.

Brett Oberholtzer started the game for the Bisons, and the veteran gave the team a spectacular outing. The left-hander went 7.2 innings, allowing two runs off of seven hits and three walks while striking out four.

It was double Smith action out of the bullpen for the Bisons, with both Chris and Murphy Smith (4-4) making appearances. The first, Chris Smith, went 1.1 innings, allowing two runs off of three hits and zero walks. Murphy Smith then came in to pitch the final inning, picking up the win after allowing zero runs, hits or walks.

The Bisons pitched pretty well, but they hit the ball even better on Wednesday. The team scored five runs off of 15 hits and three walks – a very solid total.

The players to contribute offensively were Christian Lopes (1-4, BB, SB), Michael Saunders (3-5, RBI, R), Dwight Smtih Jr. (1-4, BB), Rowdy Tellez (2-5, 2B, RBI), Jon Berti (0-0, R), Teoscar Hernandez (3-5, 2B, RBI, R, SB), Danny Jansen (2-4, 2 2B, RBI, R), Shane Opitz (2-4) and Roemon Fields (1-3, BB, R, SB).

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Bisons and Indians will square off in game three to see who takes the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Teoscar Hernandez – 3-5, 2B, RBI, R, SB

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) – 6-5 win

After losing the first game of their series with the Hartford Yard Goats, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to claw back to even in the series with a win in game two. After trailing for the most of the game, the Fisher Cats stormed back late, picking up the win in walk-off fashion 6-5. After defeating the Yard Goats today, the Fisher Cats sit with a season record of 48-73.

Jon Harris took the hill for the Fisher Cats, and he did not have a good outing at all. The righty went five innings, allowing five runs off of eight hits and two walks while striking out four.

The pitchers to log innings out of the pen were Justin Shafer, Jose Fernandez and Dusty Isaacs (4-3). The first to see action, Shafer, went two shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one batter. Fernandez then came in to pitch the eighth, tossing a shutout inning while allowing zero hits or walks. Finally Isaacs pitched a shutout ninth, picking up the win after allowing just one walk while striking out two.

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While the Fisher Cats did not get all that many runners on base, they did capitalize on their opportunities. The team scored six runs off of just nine hits and three walks – a very impressive total.

The players who led the way at the plate were Jonathan Davis (2-4, 2B, R), Anthony Alford (1-2, 2 RBI, BB, R, SB), Harold Ramirez (1-4, BB), Richard Urena (0-4, RBI), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1-3, BB), Reese McGuire (1-4, HR, RBI, R), Gunnar Heidt (2-4, HR, RBI, R) and Andrew Guillotte (1-4, 2 R).

After splitting the first two games of their series with the Yard Goats, the Fisher Cats will be looking to pick up a victory in game three and thus win the series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Anthony Alford – 1-2, 2 RBI, BB, R, SB

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Palm Beach Cardinals (Cardinals) – 3-2 win

After splitting the first two games of their series with the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Dunedin Blue Jays were looking to take a series lead with a win in game three. The Blue Jays pitched very well and had clutch hitting, leading them to a 3-2 walk-off win in 11 innings. With the victory today, the team now sits with a season record of 64-58.

Conor Fisk started the game for the Blue Jays, and he pitched extremely well. Fisk went seven innings, allowing one run off of five hits while striking out five.

The three pitchers to toe the rubber out of the pen for the Blue Jays were Alonzo Gonzalez, Kirby Snead and Dan Lietz (1-1). Gonzalez was first to pitch out of the bullpen and he pitched two innings, allowing one run off of one hit. Snead then pitched a shutout inning, allowing zero hits or walks. Finally Lietz came in to pitch the final inning, picking up the win after pitching a shutout inning, walking two batters.

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At the plate, the Blue Jays did not hit the ball very well. The team scored just three runs off of six hits and four walks –a total that is not that great over 11 innings.

The players to contribute on offense were Edward Olivares (1-5, R), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-3, 2 BB, R), Cavan Biggio (1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R), Jake Thomas (0-3, 2 BB, R, SB), Michael De La Cruz (1-5, 2B), D.J. Davis (1-5, 2B, RBI) and J.C. Cardenas(1-4).

After taking game three of four in their series with the Cardinals, the Blue Jays will be looking for both a win in their game and in the series with a victory on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

MVDJ: Conor Fisk – 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 S0

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers) – 10-6 loss

After splitting the first two games of their series with the Great Lakes Loons, the Lansing Lugnuts were looking to take the series lead with a win on Wednesday. Unfortunately the team was unable to pitch well, losing by a score of 10-6. With the loss, the Lugnuts now sit with a season record of 58-60.

Yennsy Diaz started for the Lugnuts, and he pitched absolutely terribly. Diaz picked up the no decision after going just two innings, allowing five runs off of four hits and four walks.

The three pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Andrew Deramo, Nick Hartman (2-2) and Jared Carkuff. The first pitcher to toss, Deramo, worked for three shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out three. Hartman was the next to pitch, and he did not pitch well at all. The righty picked up the loss after going just 1.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) off of two hits and three walks. Carkuff then came in to relieve Hartman, and he did not get any help from his defense, allowing two unearned runs off of two hits.

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While the pitching was brutal, the Lugnuts still hit the ball pretty well. The team scored six runs off of five hits and seven, which shows they were very patient.

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

The Lugnuts will be looking to pick up a win and settle with a split for the series when they play game four on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVL: Nash Knight – 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R

Next: Carlos Ramirez Has Closer Potential

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