Jay Blue: Davis, Grudzielanek, Lundquist, Orozco, Panas, Pentecost, Rowley

Right-hander Chris Rowley hurled six shutout innings on Monday to lead the Buffalo Bisons to a 7-5 win over the Columbus Clippers. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

July 17, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Toronto Blue Jays' minor league affiliates had a 3-5 record on Monday.

Buffalo Bisons 7, Columbus Clippers 5

The Buffalo Bisons took advantage of some control problems by a former teammate as they stopped a six-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over the Columbus Clippers that almost got away. Chris Rowley was outstanding, allowing just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings to get the win. John Stilson allowed a run in the seventh while Joe Smith pitched a clean eighth in his rehab outing, striking out two. J.P. Howell faced four batters and gave up three hits (including a home run) and hit a batter. Wil Browning gave up a hit and struck out a batter, pitching 1/3 of an inning and Chris Smith came on to retire both batters he faced, saving the win.

The batters were patient with former Bison Jarrett Grube, taking nine walks (six from Grube) and scoring seven times. Raffy Lopez had the biggest blow, going 2/4 with a walk and a home run, driving in a pair. Jason Leblebijian was 2/5 with a double and two RBI, scoring a run and Gregorio Petit was 2/4 with an RBI as the three of them hit 4-5-6 in the order after manager Bobby Meacham shook things up. Rowdy Tellez was 0/2 but walked three times and Jon Berti was 1/3 with two walks, an RBI, two runs and three stolen bases. Roemon Fields was 1/3 with a walk and stole two bases, scoring once.

Player of the Game: Chris Rowley and Raffy Lopez

Roster Notes: Dominic Leone was recalled by the Blue Jays.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Reading Fightin Phils 11

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got shellacked as they opened a series against the Reading Fightin Phils, losing 11-4. Conner Greene was on the mound, giving up five runs on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Kender Villegas allowed another two runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts over two innings. Danny Young allowed four more runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts over two innings. Jose Fernandez managed to escape unscathed, allowing a hit and striking out one over 1 1/3 innings and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) struck out two in the ninth, hitting a batter.

Jonathan Davis was 2/2 with two walks, a triple and two runs (but was caught stealing) and Ryan McBroom was 2/4 with an RBI.

Player of the Game: Jonathan Davis

Roster Notes: Emilio Guerrero was sent to the GCL Blue Jays to start a rehab assignment.

Dunedin Blue Jays 5, Bradenton Marauders 7

The Dunedin Blue Jays got some great innings out of their starter but the bullpen and defence broke down, giving up a lead as the D-Jays lost 7-5 to the Bradenton Marauders. Tayler Saucedo was on the hill to start and despite walking five batters in five innings, he managed to give up just two runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Philip Walby blew the save, allowing two unearned runs on a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Jackson McClelland took the loss, also giving up two unearned runs in the eighth. Tom Robson (Ladner, B.C.) gave up an unearned run in the ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one.

Max Pentecost rapped out three hits including a double and drove in two runs for the Blue Jays in a losing cause. Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) was 2/5 with an RBI and D.J. Davis was 2/4. Bo Bichette was in the leadoff spot as the DH and was 2/5 with a run. Cavan Biggio walked three times, going 0/2 with a run.

Player of the Game: Max Pentecost

Lansing Lugnuts 4, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3

The Lansing Lugnuts moved back above the .500 mark overall with a 12-inning, walk-off win, beating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-3. After Kyle Weatherly allowed three runs on four hits (including two home runs) and a walk with three strikeouts over five innings, the bullpen was flawless, giving up no hits and just one walk over seven innings of scoreless relief. Juliandry Higuera walked one but struck out three in two innings. Andrew Deramo struck out two in three innings and Jared Carkuff struck out three in two innings.

Rodrigo Orozco was on fire, going 4/5 with a double, a walk, an RBI and he scored the winning run, stealing a base after singling in the bottom of the 12th. Nash Knight singled home the winning run, going 2/5 with a walk while Javier Hernandez continues to swing a hot bat, going 2/5 with a double, an RBI and a run.

Player of the Game: Rodrigo Orozco

Vancouver Canadians 2, Hillsboro Hops 9

The Vancouver Canadians lost their second game in a row to the Hillsboro Hops 9-2. Brody Rodning started for the Canadians and gave up three runs in 2 1/3 innings despite striking out four. Chris Hall allowed another two runs in 1 2/3 innings and Grayson Huffman surrendered four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Brayden Bouchey finished the game with 2 2/3 innings without giving up a run of his own (although he allowed the inherited runner from Huffman to score), striking out four.

Brock Lundquist was on base three times, going 2/3 with a double and a walk. Cullen Large was also on three times, going 1/2 with two walks and a run.

Player of the Game: Brock Lundquist and Cullen Large

Bluefield Blue Jays 2, Danville Braves 5

The Bluefield Blue Jays lost their game 5-2 to the Danville Braves on Monday. Brandon Grudzielanek made his debut for Bluefield, playing third base and going 2/4 with a run. Kevin Smith and Chavez Young each had a double while Reilly Johnson was 1/4 with a double and an RBI.

Josh Winckowski gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five walks with four strikeouts. Marcus Reyes struck out three in 1 1/3 innings, walking one while Kelyn Jose allowed two hits and a walk but struck out two in the seventh. Ty Tice pitched the eighth and walked one while also striking out one.

Player of the Game: Brandon Grudzielanek

Roster Notes: Brandon Grudizelanek was promoted to the Bluefield Blue Jays from the GCL.

GCL Blue Jays 10, GCL Tigers East 3

The GCL Blue Jays completed their July 1 game against the GCL Tigers East that had been suspended but even this game was shortened, stopped after eight innings resulting in a 10-3 Blue Jays win. Dominic Abbadessa was 3/5 with a double, a triple, three RBI and three runs. Joseph Reyes was 2/4 and Hagen Danner was 1/5 with a double and three RBI. D.J. Neal hit his first professional home run.

Alvery De Los Santos started on the original day and allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout in one inning. Matthew Gunter threw five scoreless innings to follow, striking out six and giving up just two hits. Maverik Buffo got the win, tossing two innings and allowing one unearned run on one hit with one strikeout.

Player of the Game: Dominic Abbadessa and Matthew Gunter

Roster Note: Brandon Grudzielanek was promoted from the GCL to Bluefield and first-round draft pick Nate Pearson was assigned to the GCL Blue Jays along with minor league free agent signee Evan McDonald. The Fisher Cats sent Emilio Guerrero to the GCL for a rehab assignment.

DSL Blue Jays 0, DSL Mariners 4

The DSL Blue Jays were shut out by the DSL Mariners, losing 4-0. Rafael Lantigua was 2/4 with a stolen base and Hugo Cardona was 2/3 with a double, accounting for four out of the club's five hits.

Rafael Monsion had a solid start, throwing 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball, giving up four hits and striking out four. Alexander Molina walked two and gave up a hit in 1 2/3 innings and Juan Jimenez gave up two runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks in the eighth.

Player of the Game: Rafael Lantigua and Hugo Cardona

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