August 12, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays' organization had three wins in nine games (thanks to a doubleheader in the Dominican Republic) on Saturday as I watched the New Hampshire Fisher Cats struggle to get a hit in Erie.

Buffalo Bisons 6, Toledo Mud Hens 2

The Buffalo Bisons scored four times in the top of the 12th and the Toledo Mud Hens had no answer as the Bisons emerged triumphant in a 6-2 win. Danny Jansen opened the 12th with a single but Jason Leblebijian's bunt allowed the Mud Hens to get pinch-runner Jake Elmore at second. Jon Berti reached on an error and Roemon Fields walked setting things up for Christian Lopes's three-run double and Lopes then scored on Dwight Smith Jr.'s single. Despite the four-run outburst, the Mud Hens would have won had it not been for Teoscar Hernandez's throw to catch Ty Collins at home in the bottom of the 11th on what would have been a sacrifice fly. Lopes had three hits, going 3/5 with three RBI and a walk while Jason Leblebijian hit his 11th home run of the season, going 1/5 with two RBI and two runs. Jansen was 1/3 with two walks and is hitting .476 in Buffalo.

This game was on people's radar because Joe Biagini was on the mound to start for the Herd. Biagini allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings, tossing 65 pitches. Carlos Ramirez stranded two runners on, tossing 2 2/3 innings and allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts to keep his ERA at 0.00 for the season. Jeff Beliveau struck out four in two innings and Murphy Smith escaped two innings of work with three hits and a walk but without allowing a run. Chad Girodo earned the win, giving up two hits and two walks (both intentional) in two innings and striking out two.

Player of the Game: Christian Lopes

Roster Notes: Mike Ohlman was recalled by the Blue Jays and Alex Monsalve was promoted from New Hampshire to Buffalo.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 0, Erie SeaWolves 11

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were manhandled by the Erie SeaWolves in an 11-0 loss. The offence couldn't get anything going against prospect Beau Burrows who worked a masterful six innings of no-hit ball. Jonathan Davis finished the game with two walks and Anthony Alford broke up the no-hitter with an infield single in the seventh after Burrows had hit his innings limit. Andrew Guillotte had the club's only other hit.

Sean Reid-Foley was not good in his start, tossing two innings and giving up seven hits on seven runs (including two home runs) and walking two. Justin Shafer allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk with one strikeout over three innings and Jose Fernandez ran into trouble after a great first inning. In his second inning of work he gave up four hits before getting anyone out. Dusty Isaacs cleaned up after him, throwing two scoreless innings to finish the game.

Player of the Game: None

Roster Notes: Alex Monsalve was promoted to Buffalo and Andres Sotillo was sent to New Hampshire to serve as the No. 2 catcher.

Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Fort Myers Miracle 9

The Dunedin Blue Jays (62-56) got a home run from Bo Bichette but six runs weren't enough to beat the Fort Myers Miracle in a 9-6 loss. Bichette was 1/4 with a walk and two RBI while D.J. Davis (2/4, 3B) and Juan Kelly (2/4, BB, 2 RBI) had two hits each. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) was 1/3 with a walk and a run.

T.J. Zeuch gave up seven runs in 1 2/3 innings but only three were earned as he allowed four hits and two walks. Daniel Lietz walked three in two innings, allowing a run on two hits over two innings before the bullpen shut things down the rest of the way. Adonys Cardona allowed an unearned run on a walk with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings and Ryan Cook, Zach Jackson and Kirby Snead each provided a scoreless inning.

Player of the Game: Bo Bichette and Juan Kelly

Roster Notes: Andres Sotillo was promoted to New Hampshire and Ryan Hissey was assigned to Dunedin from the GCL.

Lansing Lugnuts 7, Lake County Captains 6

The Lansing Lugnuts walked off a victory, coming from behind against the Lake County Captains for a 7-6 win. In the bottom of the ninth, Rodrigo Orozco led off with a double and, with the bases loaded (after an intentional walk and a hit by pitch), Edward Olivares completed his time in Lansing with a game-winning single to drive in Orozco. Olivares was 2/4 with two RBI on the night. Nash Knight is rediscovering his "Mash" nickname, going 3/4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run.

Patrick Murphy worked six innings, giving up five runs but only three were earned, allowing seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Geno Encina worked the remainder of the game, allowing a run on a solo home run among two hits and two walks with five strikeouts over three innings to pick up the win.

Player of the Game: Nash "Mash" Knight

Vancouver Canadians 4, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 2

The Vancouver Canadians got a strong outing from their bullpen and beat the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 4-2 on Saturday. Dalton Rodriguez was solid, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings with three strikeouts before the bullpen took over. Chris Hall struck out three, giving up just two hits in two innings and William Ouellette nailed down his eighth save, striking out three in two innings, allowing just one hit.

Kacy Clemens went 3/4 with a double and two RBI to lead the offence and Samad Taylor hit his first home run in the Blue Jays' organization, going 2/4 with the solo blast. Reggie Pruitt was also a force, going 1/4 with two runs and a stolen base.

Player of the Game: Kacy Clemens and Samad Taylor

Bluefield Blue Jays 1, Princeton Rays 2

The Bluefield Blue Jays took a rare loss, dropping a 2-1 game to the Princeton Rays. The club had just six hits including two from Brandon Grudzielanek who was 2/4 and two from McGregory Contreras who was 2/3 with a double and the club's only RBI.

Randy Pondler had another good outing, going six strong innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk in six innings with one strikeout. Mitch McKown allowed an unearned run without allowing a hit or walk but hit two batters. Joe DiBenedetto finished off the game with a scoreless eighth.

Player of the Game: Randy Pondler, Brandon Grudzielanek and McGregory Contreras

GCL Blue Jays 3, GCL Yankees West 4

The GCL Blue Jays fell to the Yankees West, losing 4-3 on Saturday. The club had just six hits and Davis Schneider was 1/3 with a run and an RBI. Joseph Reyes drove in the other run, going 1/3.

Travis Bergen allowed a run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Juan Meza gave up another two runs on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Justin Watts struck out four and walked one in three innings and Bobby Eveld gave up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Danilo Manzueta allowed an unearned run on two hits in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Justin Watts

DSL Blue Jays 2, DSL Giants 6

The DSL Blue Jays lost the opener of their doubleheader against the DSL Giants 6-2. Leonicio Ventura was 2/3 with a double and an RBI while Yeison Estevez was 1/3 with a triple and a run. Rafael Lantigua was 1/4 with a double.

Juan Diaz started and allowed three runs on two hits (including a home run) and two walks with four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Nicolas Medina gave up a run on a hit and a walk completing the fifth and Brayan Mejia allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk in the sixth.

Player of the Game: Leonicio Ventura

DSL Blue Jays 0, DSL Giants 7

The DSL Blue Jays were swept by the DSL Giants after a 7-0 loss in the second game of their Saturday doubleheader. The Blue Jays got two of their four hits from Rafael Lantigua who was 2/4 with a double.

Rafael Monsion was the starter, striking out four and giving up just one run on a solo home run among four hits over three innings. Luis Pena gave up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts in his inning of work while Jeison Contreras and Luis Alvarez pitched a scoreless inning. Yunior Hinojosa gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits in the seventh.

Player of the Game: Rafael Lantigua

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