Blue Jays MiLB recap: Borucki dazzles on the bump again

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 4-0 on Thursday and will be looking to continue their great play when the teams all play again on Friday.

  AAA: Buffalo Bisons vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox) – 4-2 win

 The Buffalo Bisons were down 2-1 in their series with the Pawtucket Red Sox going into Thursday’s game. The Bisons were looking to salvage a series split, and they were able to do just that, winning game four by a final score of 4-2. With the win, the Bisons sit with a season record of 63-75.

Ryan Borucki started the game for the Bisons and he pitched quite a gem in his first appearance after being called up from AA. The left-hander took home the no decision after he went six shutout innings, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out six.

The two pitchers to see relief innings were Chris Smith (2-3) and Leonel Campos. The first, Smith, did not pitch very well but was credited with the win. The righty went two innings, allowing two runs off of four hits and one walk. Campos then came in to pitch a shutout ninth, earning his ninth save of the season after allowing zero hits or walks while striking out two.

Offensively the Bisons started to heat up in the eighth inning, a frame in which they scored three runs. The team was able to score a total of four runs for the game off of eight hits and three walks, which was ultimately enough to win them today’s game.

 The players who contributed offensively were Christian Lopes (1-3, HR, RBI, BB, R, SB), Michael Saunders (1-4, RBI, R), Teoscar Hernandez (1-4, R), Rowdy Tellez (1-4, RBI), Dwight Smith Jr. (1-2, BB), Roemon Fields (2-3, R, SB) and Shane Opitz (1-2, BB).

After losing their series with the Red Sox, the Bisons will be looking to end their season off on a high note when they begin their final series of 2017 on Friday against the Syracuse Chiefs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

MVB: Ryan Borucki – 6 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 SO

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats vs. Reading Phillies (Phillies) – 8-6 win

After taking two of the first three games of their series with the Reading Phillies, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were looking to win the series and avoid a split with a win on Thursday. The team hit the ball really well, which led to a tightly contested 8-6 victory. With the win, the Fisher Cats now sit with a season record of 58-78.

Francisco Rios took the hill for the Fisher Cats, and he did not pitch that well. The right-hander picked up the no decision after he went 3.2 innings, allowing two runs off of six hits and one walk while striking out three. 

The pitchers to log innings out of the pen were Shane Dawson, Justin Shafer (5-2) and Dusty Isaacs. The first of the three, Dawson, threw one terrible inning, allowing three runs off of three hits and two walks. Shafer then came on to relieve Dawson, and he did not pitch that well himself. Although he was credited with the win, Shafer allowed one run off of three hits while striking out three over 2.1 innings pitched. Finally, Isaacs came in to pitch the final two innings, picking up the save after allowing zero runs, hits or walks while striking out four. 

The Fisher Cats did not pitch well on Thursday – but they sure did hit the ball. The team scored eight runs off of nine hits and six walks, which should win a team most games. 

The players who pulled their weight at the plate were Jonathan Davis (1-1, 2 BB, R), Richard Urena (2-5, RBI, 2 R), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (0-4, BB), Emilio Guerrero (2-5, 2B, RBI, R), Reese McGuire (1-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Derrick Loveless (2-5, R), Andrew Guillotte (1-2, 2 BB, 2 R) and Tim Lopes (0-3, RBI, BB, R). 

After taking their series with the Phillies, the Fisher Cats will begin their final series of the season on Friday when they play the Portland Sea Dogs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST. 

MVFC: Richard Urena – 2-5, RBI, 2 R 

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) – 5-3 win 

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 The Dunedin Blue Jays were set to open their final series of 2017 on Thursday against the Clearwater Threshers, and it was a great game from start to finish. The Blue Jays ended up holding on for a 5-3 win, giving them an early lead in the series. With the win, the Blue Jays sit with a season record of 70-65.

Jordan Romano toed the rubber for the Blue Jays, and he pitched very well. The Canadian went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs off of six hits while striking out three. Romano has had a great season, and his 3.39 ERA is proof of that. 

The pitchers to see action out of the bullpen were Zach Jackson, Kirby Snead (3-1) and Jackson McClelland. Jackson, who pitched first, went 1.1 innings, allowing one run off of two hits and one walk. Snead then came in to relieve Jackson, and he pitched a shutout eighth inning, leading to him being credited with the win. McClelland then came in to close the door in the ninth, earning the save after allowing zero runs, hits or walks. 

Offensively the Blue Jays hit the ball pretty well. The team scored five runs off of seven hits and five walks – a total that should win a team a lot of games, and at the very least, keep them in it. 

The players who had productive at-bats were Bo Bichette (1-5, 3B, R), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, R), Connor Panas (2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB), Juan Kelly (0-3, BB), Michael De La Cruz (1-4), Jake Thomas (0-2, 2 BB), Edward Olivares (1-4, R, SB) and D.J. Davis (1-4, 2B, RBI). 

After taking game one of their series with the Threshers, the Blue Jays will be looking to take game two of four when they play on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EST. 

MVDJ: Connor Panas – 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB  

A: Lansing Lugnuts vs. Lake County Captains (Indians) – 7-4 win 

After taking the first game of their series with the Lake County Captains, the Lansing Lugnuts were looking to clinch a series victory with a win on Thursday. The team hit the ball extremely well, leading them to a 7-4 win. With the victory, the team now sits with a season record of 63-69. 

Yennsy Diaz (5-2) started the game for the Lugnuts, and he had a decent outing. The right-hander was credited with the win after going 5.2 innings, allowing three runs off of eight hits and one walk while striking out six. 

The three pitchers to see relief action were Yonardo Herdenez, Jared Carkuff and Miguel Burgos. The first, Herdenez, went 1.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Carkuff then pitched a shutout eighth inning, followed by Burgos allowing one run off of two walks over his one inning of work. 

While the team pitched to a decent performance, the team hit the ball at a great clip. The Lugnuts scored seven runs off of 11 hits and two walks – a total that will win a team most games. 

The players to contribute on the offensive end were Joshua Palacios (2-5, 2B, 2 R), Nash Knight (1-5, R), David Jacob (3-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, R), Mitch Nay (1-4, 2 RBI), Yeltsin Gudino (1-4, HR, RBI, R), Javier Hernandez (1-4, HR, RBI, R), Luis Silva (1-4, 2B) and Nick Sinay (1-4, BB, R). 

The Lugnuts will be looking to sweep the Captains when they play the third and final game of their series on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. 

MVL: David Jacob – 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, R 

Next: Blue Jays Morning Brew: Stroman, call-ups and post-game beers

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