Jay Blue: Elmore, Guerrero, Panas, Rowley

Right-hander Chris Rowley made a spot start for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Saturday and hurled 5 1/3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

May 20, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

Saturday wasn't bad in the Blue Jays' system with two wins and two losses overall.

Buffalo Bisons 3, Pawtucket Red Sox 5

After beating the Pawtucket Red Sox (and David Price) on Friday, the Buffalo Bisons lost 5-3 to the Red Sox on Saturday. Jarrett Grube had a solid start, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven. John Stilson took the loss allowing two runs (one earned) over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Jake Elmore had a strong game, going 2/4 with a walk and two RBI while Shane Opitz was 2/4 but committed an error.

Player of the Game: Jake Elmore

Roster Note: Dwight Smith, Jr. was optioned to Buffalo and Cesar Valdez was recalled by the Blue Jays. Catcher Mike Ohlman was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays (as expected) as Russell Martin returned from the DL.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 9, Reading Fightin Phils 1

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats finally added one to the win column after a convincing 9-1 win over the Reading Fightin Phils. The offense flexed its muscle, getting three home runs including the organization-leading eighth from Ryan McBroom who went "McBoom" in the first inning. Gunnar Heidt hit his fourth and Emilio Guerrero hit his second of the year in the ninth inning. Richard Urena had three hits and drove in a run while Guerrero (2/5), Derrick Loveless (2/5, 2B, 2 R, SB), Jonathan Davis (2/5, 2 RBI, R) and Danny Jansen pushed his Buffalo batting average to .438 with a single and a double in five plate appearances. McBroom was 1/3 with the two-run home run and two walks.

Chris Rowley made the spot start and allowed only three hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings, striking out one. Alonzo Gonzalez relieved him and walked a pair and gave up a hit in 1 2/3 innings and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) struck out one and allowed a hit in his inning of relief. Jose Fernandez broke the shutout string by giving up a run on two walks and a hit in his inning of relief.

Player of the Game: Chris Rowley and Ryan McBroom

Dunedin Blue Jays 9, St. Lucie Mets 3

The Dunedin Blue Jays got out to a fast start and, scoring nine runs like the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, beat the St. Lucie Mets 9-3 in Saturday's action. The club got three hits from Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) who was 3/4 with a double and two RBI while four players had two hits each. Cavan Biggio was 2/5 with a triple and a run, Lane Thomas was 2/5 with an RBI and a run, Juan Kelly was 2/4 with two doubles, a walk, three runs and a stolen base and Matt Dean was 2/3 with two walks, two RBI, and two runs.

Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) struggled with his control, allowing two runs on just one hit but four walks with three strikeouts, running his pitch count up to 96 in just 4 2/3 innings. William Ouellette got the win with 3 1/3 one-hit innings of relief and Tom Robson (Richmond, B.C.) finished the game, allowing a run in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Matt Dean, Juan Kelly, Connor Panas and William Ouellette

Lansing Lugnuts 7, South Bend Cubs 11

The Lansing Lugnuts ran out of time when the rains came down on Saturday, stalling their comeback attempt in an 11-7 loss to the South Bend Cubs. Through just five and a half innings, the Lugnuts had a great day offensively, led by Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) who was 3/3 with a walk, a double, three RBI and two runs, and Edward Olivares who was 3/4 with a double, two runs and an outfield assist. Bo Bichette was 2/4 with a run while Andres Sotillo and Yeltsin Gudino were each 1/3 with an RBI.

Mike Ellenbest got through two innings unscathed before he got to the third, in which the Cubs scored 11 runs, sending 13 batters to the plate. Ellenbest allowed six of the first seven batters to reach on a double, three consecutive walks, a hit by pitch and a single. All six scored after Andrew Deramo relieved him. Ellenbest was charged with six runs, all earned, on three hits and five walks over 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Deramo gave up five more runs of his own over 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits.

Player of the Game: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Edward Olivares

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