July 23, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

Ryan Borucki had an excellent double-A debut as the Toronto Blue Jays clubs went 5-1 on Sunday, getting wins across the board except from Lansing.

Buffalo Bisons 5, Louisville Bats 2

The Buffalo Bisons beat the Louisville Bats again, this time by a 5-2 score. Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) is still swinging a hot bat, going 2/3 with a double, two runs and a stolen base while Rowdy Tellez was 2/4 with two doubles. Dwight Smith Jr. hit his eighth home run of the year, going 1/3 with a walk and Jake Elmore was 1/3 with a walk, a run and an RBI.

T.J. House lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts. John Stilson picked up his first win with the Bisons, allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 innings while J.P. Howell allowed a hit in 1 1/3 innings. Matt Dermody got the save, walking one in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Michael Saunders, Rowdy Tellez and Dwight Smith Jr.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2, Trenton Thunder 1

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats triumphed in a come-from-behind, 11-inning 2-1 victory over the Trenton Thunder. The Fisher Cats didn't score until the ninth inning, tying the game at one when Gunnar Heidt hit an infield single, scoring Anthony Alford. Then, in the 11th inning, Tim Lopes singled and the subsequent throwing error allowed Danny Jansen to score to give the 'Cats the margin of victory they needed. Lopes was 3/5 and Jansen was 2/4 with a double and the winning run. Gunnar Heidt was 2/5 with the tying RBI.

Ryan Borucki made a splash in his double-A debut, tossing seven scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Jose Fernandez gave up a run on two hits and two walks in the eighth inning and Justin Shafer provided three hitless innings of relief, allowing just one walk and striking out two to earn the win.

Player of the Game: Ryan Borucki and Tim Lopes

Roster Notes: Ryan McBroom was traded to the Yankees.

Dunedin Blue Jays 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 0

The Dunedin Blue Jays shut out the Lakeland Flying Tigers for the second time in three games, beating them 3-0. Max Pentecost was on fire, going 3/3 with three doubles and a walk, driving in one run. Darrell Ceciliani was 2/3 with a run, continuing his rehab. Bo Bichette was 1/4 with a double, an RBI and an error while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) was 1/4 with a run.

Kender Villegas started, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Daniel Lietz tossed two scoreless innings, walking one and giving up a hit with one strikeout while Zach Jackson earned the save with a perfect ninth, striking out two.

Player of the Game: Max Pentecost and Kender Villegas

Lansing Lugnuts 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 8

While the Lansing Lugnuts didn't give up over 10 runs on this day, they did allow eight, which was plenty for the Cedar Rapids Kernels to defeat them by an 8-5 score. Kyle Weatherly allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings, striking out three and Connor Eller allowed another four unearned runs on four hits and a walk (including a home run) with two strikeouts in two innings. Nick Hartman pitched just one third of an inning, giving up a hit and striking out one before making way for Jared Carkuff who gave up just one hit in 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts.

The Lugnuts had 11 hits overall including two each from Joshua Palacios (2/4, BB, R), Yeltsin Gudino (2/4, 2B, R), Luis Silva (2/4, RBI, R) and Nick Sinay (2/4). Mitch Nay provided three runs with a three-run home run, going 1/5.

Player of the Game: Mitch Nay

Vancouver Canadians 8, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 3

After five innings of a scoreless tie, the Vancouver Canadians broke things open, particularly in the ninth when a five-run rally opened the door to an 8-3 win over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Deiferson Barreto was key in the victory, going 3/4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs while Bryan Lizardo was 2/4 with a run. Brandon Polizzi was 1/3 with a walk, two RBI and two runs and added a stolen base and Kevin Vicuna drove in two runs despite going 0/4.

Nate Pearson got the start and the first-rounder went two innings with three strikeouts which were only marred by a wild pitch on a strikeout to his first batter, allowing him to reach base. Brody Rodning took over and tossed four innings, allowing two runs on three hits (including a two-run home run in the sixth inning) and one walk with five strikeouts. Chris Hall threw two innings, walking one and Jake Fishman gave up an unearned run on a hit with two strikeouts in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Deiferson Barreto

Bluefield Blue Jays 11, Elizabethton Twins 9

The Bluefield Blue Jays came from behind in a wild game to beat the Elizabethton Twins 11-9 on Sunday. Chavez Young was 3/6 with a triple and two runs and Freddy Rodriguez had his first big game for the Bluefield club, going 3/4 with two doubles and a run. Francisco Rodriguez was 2/5 with an RBI and a run and Jesus Severino was 2/4 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs. Yorman Rodriguez drove in four runs, going 1/5 while Kevin Smith was 2/5 with a walk, a home run and two runs.

Josh Winckowski started and went just 3 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Joe DiBenedetto went 2 1/3 frames, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits (including two home runs) with a strikeout while Tyler Olander got the win, allowing a run on two hits and a walk in two innings. Ty Tice saved the game with a scoreless ninth, walking one.

Player of the Game: Kevin Smith, Chavez Young and Freddy Rodriguez

GCL Blue Jays

Scheduled off day

DSL Blue Jays

Scheduled off day

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