Jay Blue: Espada, Gold, Jacob, Kelly, Leblebijian, Young

Jason Leblebijian went 4-for-4 with a double and a run for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Saturday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

September 2, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Bluefield Blue Jays got their playoffs under way, winning their first game while the GCL Blue Jays finished off their season after losing to the GCL Phillies. Overall, the Toronto Blue Jays' affiliates were 3-4 on Saturday.

Buffalo Bisons 2, Syracuse Chiefs 1

The Buffalo Bisons lost the second game of their final series of the season, falling 2-1 to the Syracuse Chiefs. Murphy Smith had a strong outing, going six innings and giving up just one run on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Chris Smith and Leonel Campos both flirted with disaster, walking one and striking out one each in an inning of work and Wil Browning surrendered the walk-off run for the Chiefs, allowing a run on two hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning.

Jason Leblebijian accounted for half of the Bisons' eight hits, going 4/4 with a double and a run. Ian Parmley was 2/4 and Shane Opitz drove in the club's only run, going 1/3. Anthony Alford was 1/3 with a walk in his second triple-A game.

Player of the Game: Jason Leblebijian

Roster Notes: The Blue Jays selected the contract of Luis Santos after they DFAed Nick Tepesch.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Portland Sea Dogs 5

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats also lost, 5-4, on a walkoff against the Portland Sea Dogs after Mike Olt singled home Danny Mars with two outs in the 10th. Thomas Pannone's only real blemish was a solo home run among three hits in his seven innings as he struck out seven. Jose Fernandez blew the save, giving up three runs in 2/3 of an inning and Andrew Case (Saint John, N.B.) got out of the game, stranding a runner on and pitching a scoreless ninth for 1 1/3 innings with just a walk. Kender Villegas took the loss, giving up a hit and two walks (one was intentional) with a strikeout in the 10th.

Harold Ramirez was on base four times with two singles and two walks, driving in a run for the Fisher Cats. Reese McGuire was 1/2 with an RBI and Ryan Hissey, subbing in for McGuire at catcher also had a hit and an RBI. Matt Dean and Emilio Guerrero also walked twice each.

Player of the Game: Thomas Pannone

Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Clearwater Threshers 0

With the playoffs coming up, the Dunedin Blue Jays continue their hot streak, shutting out the Clearwater Threshers 6-0. T.J. Zeuch started and tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Adonys Cardona picked up the win, going two innings, giving up a walk and two hits with a strikeout while Alonzo Gonzalez gave up two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Jackson McClelland allowed just a hit in the ninth.

Juan Kelly had himself a day at the plate, going 3/4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs. Jake Thomas drove in a pair, going 1/5 with a double while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) and Cavan Biggio were each 1/3 with a walk and a run. Andres Sotillo was 1/3 with a walk, an RBI and a run.

Player of the Game: Juan Kelly

Roster Notes: T.J. Zeuch was activated off of the DL.

Lansing Lugnuts 6, Dayton Dragons 7

The Lansing Lugnuts had a two-run lead over the Dayton Dragons but they managed to score in the seventh and ninth innings to tie things up and again in the 10th to go ahead for the victory in a 7-6 loss for the Lugnuts. The Lugnuts hit two home runs with David Jacob going 2/4 with a solo blast in the third and Mitch Nay going 1/5 with a solo shot back-to-back with Jacob. Nick Sinay was 2/6 with a stolen base and Rodrigo Orozco was 2/5 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run. Nash Knight was also on base three times, going 2/5 with a walk, a double and an RBI and Yeltsin Gudino also had two hits, going 2/4 with a walk.

Dalton Rodriguez gave up four runs in six innings but only three were earned as he surrendered seven hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Andrew Deramo allowed a run on two hits with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings and Daniel Lietz was credited with the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Miguel Burgos stranded two runners, walking one and striking out one in the final 2/3 of an inning in the 10th.

Player of the Game: David Jacob

Vancouver Canadians 2, Tri-City Dust Devils 0

Jose Espada was pretty much untouchable as the Vancouver Canadians cruised to a 2-0 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils. Justin Dillon started, throwing a scoreless inning while Zach Logue followed with another scoreless frame. Espada worked the bulk of the game though, pitching six innings and giving up two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts to earn the win. Orlando Pascual struck out two in the ninth to earn the save.

Brock Lundquist was the offensive hero, going 3/3 with a double, a home run, one RBI and a run. Logan Warmoth drove in the other run and Cam O'Brien scored once.

Player of the Game: Jose Espada and Brock Lundquist

Bluefield Blue Jays 6, Pulaski Yankees 5

The Bluefield Blue Jays got their playoffs going with a 6-5 win over the Pulaski Yankees. Chavez Young was all over the place, going 2/3 with a home run, two walks, an RBI and a run while Ryan Gold was 2/4 with a home run, a walk, three RBI and a run. Kevin Smith walked twice, going 1/3 with an RBI and a run.

Turner Larkins started, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in three innings. Connor Law followed with three more innings, allowing two runs on three hits (including a home run) with four strikeouts. Jonathan Cheshire (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K), and Graham Spraker (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K).

Player of the Game: Ryan Gold and Chavez Young

GCL Blue Jays 0, GCL Phillies 5

The GCL Blue Jays were shutout 5-0 by the GCL Phillies on the final day of their season. Jose Theran finished strong with a two-hit game while Andres Guerra and Luis De Los Santos each had a double. Otto Lopez had a single and a walk.

Justin Watts started, giving up three runs in two innings while Emmanuel Reyes allowed another two runs on four hits in two innings. Emerson Jimenez continued his stellar conversion to pitching, throwing two scoreless innings, giving up just one walk with one strikeout. Brennan Price allowed a hit in two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and Rafael Monsion walked one in the ninth.

Player of the Game: None

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