July 25, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

With the Lansing Lugnuts off, there were seven teams in action in the Blue Jays' system who had a combined record of 4-3 with a number of well-pitched, low-scoring games.

Buffalo Bisons 1, Durham Bulls 3

The Buffalo Bisons dropped their second game in a row to the Durham Bulls, 3-1. The club's offensive woes returned with the Bisons getting just four hits overall including two doubles and an RBI from Shane Opitz. Jon Berti had a single and Rob Refsnyder was 1/3 with a walk in his Buffalo debut.

Luis Santos only went three innings before coming out of the game with an injury, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts to take the loss. New Bison Nick Tepesch (acquired by the Blue Jays for cash) allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts in two innings. Tim Mayza struck out four, giving up three hits in 2 2/3 scoreless innings and J.P. Howell gave up a hit and struck out one pitching the final 1 1/3 innings.

Player of the Game: Shane Opitz

Roster Notes: Rob Refsnyder was added to the roster while Matt Dermody was promoted to Toronto to replace Danny Barnes who went on the DL. Jeff Beliveau was sent outright back to Buffalo and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) was sent down to New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 11, Portland Sea Dogs 10

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats finally defeated the Portland Sea Dogs after an epic, see-saw battle that saw the Fisher Cats emerge victorious by an 11-10 score. The offence was spread throughout the lineup, with Jonathan Davis (2/5, 2 R), Richard Urena (2/5, 2 RBI, R), Harold Ramirez (2/5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) and Andrew Guillotte (2/4, 2 R) getting two hits each. Matt Dean also hit a home run, going 1/2 with a solo shot, walking twice and scoring twice. Tim Lopes was 1/3 with a walk, two RBI, a run, a stolen base and was caught stealing.

Shane Dawson (Drayton Valley, Alta.) allowed eight runs over his four innings, giving up seven hits, including two home runs, and four walks with just two strikeouts. Tom Robson (Ladner, B.C.) provided two innings of scoreless relief, walking one and striking out one while Danny Young was credited with a blown save, giving up a run on three hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. Carlos Ramirez got the win, allowing an unearned run with two walks and no hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out two.

Player of the Game: Harold Ramirez

Roster Notes: Anthony Alford was activated off the big league DL and optioned to New Hampshire. Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) was sent back to New Hampshire from Buffalo and John Straka was sent down to Dunedin.

Dunedin Blue Jays 2, Charlotte Stone Crabs 5

Bo Bichette returned to the lineup after an injury scare the day before as the Dunedin Blue Jays lost the opener of their series against the Charlotte Stone Crabs 5-2. Bichette was 1/4 but Cavan Biggio had two RBI, going 1/4 with a double. Darrell Ceciliani also got into some rehab action, going 0/3. Max Pentecost and J.C. Cardenas each had two singles and Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) continues to swing a hot bat, going 1/3 with a double and a walk.

Josh DeGraaf went 5 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits (including a home run) and two walks with four strikeouts. Daniel Lietz allowed a hit and two walks but no runs in 1 2/3 innings and Adonys Cardona gave up two more runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of work.

Player of the Game: Max Pentecost and J.C. Cardenas

Roster Notes: Ryan Cook was placed on the DL and John Straka was assigned to Dunedin from New Hampshire.

Lansing Lugnuts

Scheduled off day

Vancouver Canadians 2, Tri-City Dust Devils 0

The Vancouver Canadians got back on the winning side of the ledger, getting an outstanding pitching performance from their hurlers in a 2-0 shutout of the Tri-City Dust Devils. Jose Espada started and held the Dust Devils to just one hit over four innings, striking out two. Donnie Sellers earned the win, also holding the Dust Devils to one hit over four innings, walking one and striking out three. WIlliam Ouellette got the save, giving up two hits but no runs in the ninth, striking out two to seal the shutout.

The Canadians had just five hits including doubles from Reggie Pruitt (who was 1/3 with a walk and was picked off and caught stealing), Logan Warmoth (1/4) and Bryan Lizardo (1/4).

Player of the Game: Jose Espada and Donnie Sellers

Bluefield Blue Jays 2, Bristol Pirates 0

The Bluefield Blue Jays also got some great pitching, defeating the Bristol Pirates 2-0 on Tuesday. Maximo Castillo got the win, tossing five two-hit innings without walking anyone and striking out seven. Mitch McKown tossed two one-hit, one-walk innings, striking out three and Kelyn Jose and Marcus Reyes each added a scoreless frame to complete the shutout.

The offensive spark? Ryan Noda again, who went 2/3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run, adding his sixth stolen base. Jesus Navarro also had two hits, going 2/4 with a run. Freddy Rodriguez was 1/4 with an RBI.

Player of the Game: Maximo Castillo

GCL Blue Jays 2, GCL Yankees East 1

The GCL Blue Jays held off the GCL Yankees East to win a low-scoring game 2-1. Travis Bergen made his season debut, coming back from injury, tossing a scoreless inning, striking out one. Claudio Galva took over, firing six one-run innings, allowing four hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Jonathan Cheshire finished it off with two perfect innings, striking out two and earning his fourth save.

Dominic Abbadessa had two more hits, going 2/4 while Jose Theran was also 2/4 with an RBI. D.J. Neal was 2/4 with a double and an RBI and Patrick Morris was 1/3 with a double and a run.

Player of the Game: Claudio Galva

Roster Note: Travis Bergen was sent to the GCL on a rehab assignment.

DSL Blue Jays 5, DSL Orioles 11

The DSL Blue Jays were soundly beaten by the DSL Orioles 11-5 on Tuesday. Naswell Paulino took the brunt of the attack, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and a walk with just two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Jhon Victorino allowed a solo home run among three hits with one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings and Johandy Martir gave up an unearned run on a hit with three strikeouts in two innings. Geremy Jimenez finished the game with two innings, giving up a run on three hits.

The Blue Jays had just five hits including doubles from Warnel Valdez (RBI, R), Yeison Estevez (RBI) and Victor Figuereo (RBI).

Player of the Game: None

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