July 16, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

There were a couple of offensive explosions yesterday for Blue Jays minor league teams in a day that saw the Jays' minor leaguers win four of their six games.

Buffalo Bisons 0, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 5

The Buffalo Bisons’ anemic offense sputtered again as the Bisons lost their sixth game in a row and ninth of their last 10, falling to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 5-0. Brett Oberholtzer got the start and flirted with trouble all throughout his start, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Murphy Smith relieved him, getting out of the sixth by striking out the only batter he faced that inning and went on to throw 2 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and striking out two. Chris Smith came on for the ninth and appeared to be on his way to mowing down the RailRiders but gave up a solo home run, striking out one in the frame.

The Bisons failed to score, getting just four hits including a double from Jon Berti, who was 1/3. Dwight Smith, Jr. was on base twice with a single and a walk while Rowdy Tellez was 1/4 with a ninth-inning single. Roemon Fields was 1/3 with a stolen base.

Player of the Game: None

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 10, Portland Sea Dogs 3

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats unleashed their offence in a 10-3 win over the Portland Sea Dogs. Tim Lopes had three hits including a double and a walk, going 3/4 with an RBI and two runs, adding a stolen base while Gunnar Heidt hit his 11th home run, driving in four and adding a double, a walk and a run. Derrick Loveless was on base three times, going 2/3 with a double, a walk, two RBI and two runs while Jonathan Davis was 2/4 with a walk, an RBI and a run. Richard Urena continues to hit well, going 2/5 with an RBI and a run. Danny Jansen was on base four times, going 1/2 with three walks, a run, an RBI and a stolen base.

Sean Reid-Foley started with six solid innings, giving up three runs on four hits (including a home run) with two walks and three strikeouts. Carlos Ramirez tossed another two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out two to keep his ERA at 0.00 and Justin Shafer struck out a pair, giving up a hit in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Gunnar Heidt

Dunedin Blue Jays 4, Bradenton Marauders 3

The Dunedin Blue Jays broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth, beating the Bradenton Marauders 4-3. Michael De La Cruz and Connor Panas were both 3/4 with a double while Panas added a triple to his tally. Panas drove in two runs while De La Cruz drove in one and scored. Juan Kelly was 1/3 with a walk and a triple, scoring twice. Bo Bichette had a rough game, going 0/4 with two errors.

Taylor Cole got the start, moving his rehab up from the GCL, throwing two scoreless innings with three hits allowed and one strikeout. Conor Fisk took over for five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits (including two home runs) and one walk with four strikeouts. Zach Jackson walked two, gave up a hit and struck out one in one scoreless inning, earning the win while Kirby Snead got the save with a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one.

Player of the Game: Michael De La Cruz and Connor Panas

Roster Notes: Taylor Cole was moved from the GCL Blue Jays to the Dunedin Blue Jays for his rehab assignment from Buffalo.

Lansing Lugnuts 14, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 2

The Lansing Lugnuts had their offence rolling too as they soundly trounced the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 14-2 on Sunday. Joshua Palacios led the way with three hits including two doubles, driving in one and scoring three times. Javier Hernandez hit his first home run of the year, going 2/4 with a double and driving in three runs while scoring two. Nash Knight was 2/4 with a walk, two RBI and a run and Luis Silva was 2/5 with a double, two RBI and a run. Rodrigo Orozco was on twice with a double and a walk, driving in two and scoring once while Edward Olivares drove in a pair, going 1/5 with a double and two runs. Mitch Nay was 1/4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs.

Andy Ravel had a strong start, tossing 6 2/3 innings with just two runs against (one earned) on six hits with seven strikeouts. Nick Hartman finished the seventh, stranding two runners and pitched a scoreless eighth while Geno Encina struck out a pair in a perfect ninth.

Player of the Game: Javier Hernandez, Joshua Palacios and Andy Ravel

Vancouver Canadians 1, Hillsboro Hops 6

The Vancouver Canadians were unable to even their series with the Hillsboro Hops, losing 6-1 on Sunday. With only five hits, the Canadians didn't muster much offence. Reggie Pruitt was 2/4 and added two stolen bases, moving his batting average closer to the Mendoza Line. Cullen Large and Norberto Obeso each hit a triple.

Dalton Rodriguez went 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts for the loss. Bobby Eveld tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, giving up just one hit and allowed one of the two runners he inherited from Rodriguez to score. Yonardo Herdenez gave up three runs on three hits and two walks in two innings.

Player of the Game: Reggie Pruitt

Roster Notes: Yonardo Herdenez was promoted to Vancouver from Bluefield.

Bluefield Blue Jays 7, Danville Braves 6

The Bluefield Blue Jays used a four-run sixth inning to come back from a 6-3 deficit and held on to beat the Danville Braves 7-6. Ryan Noda had another break-out game, going 3/5 with a double, an RBI and a run while Kevin Smith unleashed the power, going 2/5 with a home run, three RBI and a run. Chavez Young was 2/5 with a double and two runs and Yorman Rodriguez was 2/5. Ryan Gold was on base three times with a single and two walks.

Starter Turner Larkins was hit hard, giving up five hits and two walks, leading to three runs in just two innings despite striking out four (likely limiting the damage). Tyler Olander tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two. Jordan Barrett struck out five in three innings but still gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while Graham Spraker struck out four in two innings of one-hit relief.

Player of the Game: Kevin Smith and Ryan Noda

Roster Notes: Yonardo Herdenez was promoted to Vancouver and Brandon Grudzielanek was promoted from the GCL to Bluefield.

GCL Blue Jays

Scheduled Off Day

DSL Blue Jays

Scheduled Off Day

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