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Blue Jays MiLB Recap- Bisons Play Season Opener

By Charlie Marshall

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 6: Joe Biagini
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 6: Joe Biagini /
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Jays Journal takes its daily look into the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system. For the first time this season, all four minor league affiliates were in action.

Buffalo Bisons at Pawtucket Red Sox 4-3

After Dwight Smith Jr.’s plea to the baseball gods, the Bisons finally played their season opener on Monday night. After stealing both second and third base, Teoscar Hernandez opened the scoring over the Paw Sox. Both Dwight Smith Jr. and Danny Jansen added home runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, to put the Bisons out in front 3-1. However, the Paw Sox chipped away at the lead, managing to tie it up with a run in both the sixth and seventh inning. Tied at three, the game was pushed to twelve innings before Jason Leblebijian scored after being placed at second base in accordance with the new MiLB extra innings rules.

Joe Biagini opened his 2018 season with a strong start for the Blue Jays AAA affiliate. The right-hander completed five great innings in which he allowed just two hits and one unearned run. As well, he added four strikeouts to just one walk to finish off his line. Luis Santos and Al Alburquerque allowed the only earned runs to the Paw Sox in the sixth and seventh innings. Matt Dermody, Carlos Ramirez, and Sam Moll each held the Paw Sox scoreless in their innings of work. Sam Moll was awarded the win in relief for the Bisons.

Ryan Borucki will get the ball for the Bisons tomorrow and the Paw Sox will counter with William Cuevas.

MVB – Danny Jansen – 4-4 with a home run and a walk

New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Trenton Thunder 11-1

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Jonathan Davis, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each had good days at the plate for the Fisher Cats. Davis was 2 – 4 at the plate while adding an incredible five runs to the high-powered New Hampshire offense. Not to be outdone, Bichette added three hits, including a double, and scored three runs. The one-man highlight show Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stole the show, though. Guerrero Jr. was perfect in three at-bats including a double, home run, walk, two runs, and a huge six RBIs. Both Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gunnar Heidt each drove in two runs for New Hampshire, as well.

In a game where the offence scores eleven runs, pitching is clearly not the focus. However, the Fisher Cats split nine innings across three pitchers and each pitched very well. Jon Harris was the starter in the game and earned his second win of the season. Over five innings, Harris allowed just one earned run on four hits while striking out three. Connor Fisk and Danny Young locked down the game in relief. Fisk pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing just one hit and striking out four. Over the final 1 2/3 innings, Young held the Thunder hitless and struck out two batters.

Francisco Rios will oppose Erik Swanson tomorrow in Trenton.

MVFC – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3-3 HR, 2B, 6 RBIs

Dunedin Blue Jays at Palm Beach Cardinals 1-9

The Dunedin Blue Jays managed just six hits in this shellacking at the hands of the Palm Beach Cardinals. Even worse, the team struck out twelve times. The sole run for the Blue Jays was scored by the team’s third baseman, John La Prise. Eduard Pinto, the Jays left fielder, was awarded an RBI for driving La Prise.

The Cardinals scoring was spread out across four Blue Jays pitchers. The starter, Justin Dillon, pitched four innings and allowed just four hits but also surrendered three solo home runs. Juliandry Higuera, over 2/3 of an inning, allowed two runs on two hits, but just one was run was earned. Nick Hartman was knocked around to the tune of five hits over 1 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs. Jake Fishman completed the final two innings of the game, allowing four hits and one earned run.

T.J. Zeuch will toe the rubber for the Blue Jays tomorrow, hoping to help Dunedin to a more favorable result.

MVDJ – Eduard Pinto 1-4 RBI

Lansing Lugnuts at Fort Wayne Tincaps 10-1

A blowout win for the Lugnuts featured a balanced attack throughout the lineup. The designated hitter, Kevin Smith, was particularly remarkable, though. Smith was 3-4 at the plate with a home run, three runs scored, and two runs driven in. Hitting just after him all night, Cullen Large was 2-5 at the dish with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in; a dangerous one-two punch all game. Each of Chavez Young, Kevin Vicuna, Ryan Noda, and Ridge Smith drove in a run of their own.

Maverick Buffo started the game for the Lugnuts and pitched just four innings. Across his innings of work, Buffo allowed five hits and just one earned run, off of a first-inning home run, while striking out six. Donnie Sellers came in relief of Buffo in the fifth and blew away the other team, not requiring further relief. Sellers earned the win after pitching five innings and allowing no earned runs on three hits. As well, Sellers struck out a 12 Tincaps hitters and allowed no walks on route to the win in relief.

Maximo Castillo is set to take on MacKenzie Gore of the Tincaps tomorrow for a 7:05 ET start.

MVL – Kevin Smith 3-4 HR, BB, 2 RBIs

Next: Blue Jays: A potential Morales DL stint may not be so bad

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