Jay Blue: DeGraaf, De Los Santos, Kirwer, Morgan, Orozco, Petit, Romanin, Saunders

Josh DeGraaf allowed just one run in six innings to lead the class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays to a 2-1 win on Thursday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

July 20, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Blue Jays' minor leaguers posted an even 4-4 record on Thursday, getting excellent pitching from their affiliates in Dunedin and Lansing.

Buffalo Bisons 1, Louisville Bats 5

The Buffalo Bisons moved on from Columbus and lost the first game of their series against the Louisville Bats 5-1. Luis Santos threw 5 1/3 strong innings, giving up just two hits and three walks, leading to two runs while striking out three. Lefty J.P. Howell walked two batters and struck out one in his 2/3 of an innings while Wil Browning gave up two runs in his inning of work. Tim Mayza allowed a run on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in the eighth inning.

Gregorio Petit and Mike Ohlman each had two hits including a double with Ohlman driving in the Bisons' only run. Michael Saunders was 1/4.

Player of the Game: Gregorio Petit and Mike Ohlman

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1, Trenton Thunder 3

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats opened their series with the Trenton Thunder, losing 3-1 in a rain-shortened game that lasted four-and-a-half innings. John Straka pitched for the Fisher Cats, throwing all four innings and giving up three runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

The batters had just three hits including an RBI double from Ryan McBroom and a double and run from Richard Urena.

Player of the Game: None

Roster Notes: Ryan Borucki was promoted from Dunedin to New Hampshire.

Dunedin Blue Jays 2, Clearwater Threshers 1

The Dunedin Blue Jays got a second great pitching performance in a row against the Clearwater Threshers, beating them 2-1 on Thursday. Josh DeGraaf allowed just one run on six hits and two walks over six innings, striking out three and Zach Jackson pitched two scoreless, hitless innings in relief with Jackson McClelland picking up his second save with a one-walk ninth.

D.J. Davis had two hits, going 2/3 with a run and a stolen base while Bo Bichette drove in a run, going 1/4. Darrell Ceciliani was 1/3 as he began his rehab.

Player of the Game: Josh DeGraaf

Roster Notes: Ryan Borucki was promoted to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Darrell Ceciliani began a rehab assignment.

Lansing Lugnuts 3, Quad Cities River Bandits 2

The Lansing Lugnuts got a small bit of retribution after Wednesday's 20 run debacle, beating the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-2. Rodrigo Orozco continues to be red-hot, raising his batting average to .303 with a 3/4 game in which he took a walk, hit a double and drove in two runs. Luis Silva was 2/3 with a walk and a run playing shortstop. Mattingly Romanin (Burlington, Ont.) was 1/3 with a walk and a run and Ridge Smith was 1/3 with a walk and a run.

Yennsy Diaz was excellent on the mound, despite walking four in six innings of work. He didn't give up a run, striking out five and giving up five hits to earn the win. Jared Carkuff allowed two runs on three hits (including a home run) with two strikeouts in two innings and Nick Hartman earned the save, walking one in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Rodrigo Orozco

Vancouver Canadians 8, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 3

The Vancouver Canadians (19-16) had four pitchers involved in a potential shutout gem against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes but a three-run ninth dashed those dreams and the Canadians had to settle for an 8-3 win. Jose Espada tossed two innings of one-hit ball, striking out one while Zach Logue struck out four in three innings, giving up a hit and a walk. Justin Dillon followed with two innings of one-hit, one-walk ball, striking out three and William Ouellette threw scoreless eighth. Bobby Eveld marred the shutout by giving up three runs in the ninth, allowing three hits and a walk.

The offence more than pulled their own weight, led by Kevin Vicuna who was 3/5 with a walk, an RBI and two runs, adding a stolen base. Kacy Clemens was 2/3 with two walks, an RBI and a run and Bryan Lizardo was 2/5 with a triple and a run. Matt Morgan was 2/5 with a home run and a double, driving in two runs. Reggie Pruitt was on base three times, going 1/4 with two walks and two stolen bases.

Player of the Game: Kevin Vicuna and Matt Morgan

Bluefield Blue Jays 6, Kingsport Mets 17

While the Lansing Lugnuts were clobbered on Wednesday, it was the Bluefield Blue Jays' turn on Thursday as they got hammered 17-6 by the Kingsport Mets. Jose Espinal allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts over four innings. Elio Silva took over and gave up four runs on five hits (including a two-run home run) and two walks with two strikeouts in two-plus innings. Kelyn Jose walked five batters, only getting one out (on a strikeout) and was charged with three runs. Mitch McKown was charged with four runs on two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings and Joe DiBenedetto gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits with a strikeout in the final 1 1/3 innings.

Canadian Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) was the offensive star, going 2/3 with a double, his first professional home run and two RBI, adding two runs. Chavez Young drove in a run, going 1/3 and Ryan Noda was 1/2 with a walk and a stolen base.

Player of the Game: Tanner Kirwer

Roster Notes: Felipe Castaneda was promoted from the GCL to Bluefield.

GCL Blue Jays 6, GCL Pirates 11

The GCL Blue Jays dropped their Thursday match with the DSL Pirates but it took a bullpen and defence meltdown in the 11th inning before their fortunes were sealed in an 11-6 loss. Angel Alicea made his season debut, striking out the side in the first inning, giving up one hit. Alvery De Los Santos took over, giving up just one run on a solo home run among six hits while striking out four in five innings. Juan Meza gave up a run in the seventh on three hits while Connor Law allowed another run on three hits (including a home run) in the eighth. Justin Watts tossed two innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk but struck out five. Danilo Manzueta gave up six runs in the 11th but all were unearned as he allowed two hits and three walks. Manzueta's error on a sac bunt started the inning and an error by Joseph Reyes led to a grand slam.

Luis De Los Santos had a great game at the plate, going 4/5 with a double, an RBI and a run. Davis Schneider was 2/6 with a double and a run while Joseph Reyes was 2/5 with three RBI. Emilio Guerrero was 1/3 with a walk and Otto Lopez, taking over for him, was 1/2 with two runs. Jose Theran was 1/3 with three walks and a run and D.J. Daniels was 1/4 with a double and a walk.

Player of the Game: Luis De Los Santos

Roster Notes: Angel Alicea was assigned to the GCL Blue Jays and Felipe Castaneda was promoted to Bluefield.

DSL Blue Jays 7, DSL White Sox 5

The DSL Blue Jays (28-12) beat the DSL White Sox again, finishing on top by a 7-5 score on Thursday morning. Steward Berroa was 2/5 with two triples, two RBI and two runs while Hector Guerrero and Yeison Estevez each had two singles. Kenny Mauricio was 1/2 with two walks, a double and two runs.

Luis Alvarez started for the Blue Jays, going four innings and giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Juan Diaz earned the win, going three scoreless innings and giving up only two hits with four strikeouts. Nicolas Medina got two outs including a strikeout while walking a batter and Yunior Hinojosa earned the save despite allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings.

Player of the Game: Steward Berroa

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