Blue Jays MiLB Recap: Teams go 2-1, Dunedin washed

Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system, today looking at the AAA-A levels. The affiliates went a combined 2-1 on Sunday, and will be looking to continue their solid play when the teams play again on Monday.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Rochester Red Wings (Twins) – 4-3 loss

After splitting the first two games of their series, the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Red Wings were looking for both the win on the day, and for the series when they squared off on Sunday. The Bisons were unable to come out victorious, losing a close one by a score of 4-3. With the loss, the team sits with a season record of 61-73.

Chris Rowley (3-5) started the game for the Bisons and he pitched quite well, but didn’t get any help from his defense. The right-hander took the loss after he went seven solid innings, allowing four runs (two earned) off of eight hits and one walk.

The only pitcher to see action out of the bullpen for the Bisons on Sunday was Mike Bolsinger. The right-hander went one scoreless inning, allowing just one walk while striking out one Red Wings’ batter.

Offensively, the Bisons really did not hit that well. The team was able to score three runs off of just five hits and zero walks. It is not easy to win ball games if only five runners reach base.

Chris Rowley pitches a very sharp 1 2 3 first inning. Looking good with a 1-0 lead. Go @BuffaloBisons
— Craig Borden (@Craigers1221) August 27, 2017

The players who contributed offensively were Christian Lopes (0-3, R), Rowdy Tellez (2-4, 2B, RBI, R), Jason Leblebijian (1-4) and Shane Opitz (2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R).

After losing their series with the Red Wings, the Bisons will be looking to start fresh when they open a fresh four-game series with the Pawtucket Red Sox on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Shane Opitz – 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) – 4-2 win

After taking two of the first three games of their series with the Hartford Yard Goats, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to win the series and avoid a split with a win on Sunday. The team was able to do just that, picking up a 4-2 win after a closely fought contest. With the win, the Fisher Cats now sit with a season record of 55-77.

Jon Harris (7-10) took the hill for the Fisher Cats, and he had a great outing on Sunday. The right-hander picked up the win after he went seven innings, allowing two runs off of four hits and one walk while striking out eight. While he pitched well today, this season has not been all that kind to Harris, as he sits with a season ERA of 5.33.

The pitchers to log innings out of the pen were Kender Villegas and Justin Shafer. The first of the two, Villegas, went one shutout inning, allowing two hits while striking out two. Shafer then came in to pitch a shutout ninth, earning his first save of the season.

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The Fisher Cats pitched well – but they hit the ball pretty well, too. The team scored four runs off of eight hits and five walks, which is a total that will most definitely keep you in a lot of games.

The players who pulled their weight at the plate were Jonathan Davis (1-2, BB, R), Richard Urena (0-2, RBI, BB), Anthony Alford (1-4, 2B, RBI), Harold Ramirez (1-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1-3, BB), Emilio Guerrero (2-4, 3B, R), Gunnar Heidt (1-4, R), Alex Monsalve (1-2, RBI, BB, R) and Tim Lopes (0-3, BB).

After taking both the game today and their four game series with the Yard Goats, the Fisher Cats will be looking to continue their great play from the series when they begin a new one with the Reading Phillies on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST.

MVFC: Jon Harris – 7 IP, W, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 SO

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Tampa Yankees (Yankees) – RAIN OUT

The rain came down in Dunedin on Sunday, and due to this, the Dunedin Blue Jays and Tampa Yankees were rained out. Our thoughts are with the people that live in the southern United States, as flooding is causing major issues. The Blue Jays are scheduled to play the Florida Fire Frogs on Monday, but Mother Nature may have something to say about that. As of now, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) – 5-1 win

After dropping the first two games of their series, the Lansing Lugnuts and Fort Wayne TinCaps were set to play game three of four on Sunday. The Lugnuts were looking to avoid clinching a series loss with a win, and the team was able to just that, picking up a 5-1 victory. With the win, the Lugnuts sit with a season record of 60-69.

Juliandry Higuera (4-0) started the game for the Lugnuts, and he had a spectacular outing. The right-hander was credited with the win after going five innings, allowing one run (none earned) off of six hits while striking out five.

The two pitchers to see relief action were Yonardo Herdenez and Miguel Burgos. The first, Herdenez, went three shutout innings out of the pen, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Burgos then pitched the final inning, allowing no runs and just one hit.

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While the team pitched very well, they hit the ball at a great clip, too. The Lugnuts scored five runs off of 10 hits and three walks – a total that will win a team most games.

The players to contribute on the offensive end were Kevin Vicuna (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Joshua Palacios (1-3, BB, R), Nash Knight (1-4, R), David Jacob (2-4, 2B, RBI, R), Yeltsin Gudino (3-4, RBI), Ridge Smith (1-4, RBI), Rodrigo Orozco (1-2, 2 BB, R) and Nick Sinay (0-4, R).

The Lugnuts will be looking to force a series split with a win in game four on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVL: Juliandry Higuera – 5 IP, W, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 SO

Next: Bo Bichette Mirroring Mike Trout's MiLB Career

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