May 7, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

The Blue Jays' minor league affiliates had a rough day, especially at the top two levels. The Bisons and Fisher Cats lost all three of their games, but the Dunedin Blue Jays and Lansing Lugnuts combined for 25 runs on their way to a pair of wins.

Buffalo Bisons 0, Lehigh Valley IronPigs 1

The Buffalo Bisons finally got their doubleheader in, but lost the first game as Mark Appel owned The Herd’s bats in a 1-0 win for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Despite four walks, Appel just gave up two hits in 5 2/3 innings and the Bisons had three hits overall, with two from Shane Opitz who was 2/3 and one from Dwight Smith, Jr. who was 1/3.

Brett Oberholtzer had a strong start for the Bisons with his only real blemish being a solo home run in the sixth inning. Oberholtzer went 5 2/3 with five hits, two walks, one run and one strikeout. John Stilson finished the game, striking out two, tossing 1 1/3 IP.

Player of the Game: Shane Opitz

Roster Notes: The Bisons placed Alex Monsalve on the DL and promoted Raffy Lopez from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Buffalo Bisons 4, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 5

In the second game of their double header, the Buffalo Bisons got down early and made a game of it but ultimately fell 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Luis Santos walked three batters and then gave up a grand slam to account for the first four Lehigh Valley runs. Jeff Beliveau tossed two innings, striking out five batters and walking just one to get the ball to Wil Browning who threw three more innings, allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts. Matt Dermody finished the game with an inning, allowing a hit.

Unlike in the first half of the twin bill, the Bisons’ offense showed some life, getting a solo home run and a walk from Mike Ohlman and a two-run double from Darrell Ceciliani.

Player of the Game: Jeff Beliveau and Mike Ohlman

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 12

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats took a beating after a 10-run fifth inning, losing 12-4 to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Francisco Rios got hit hard, allowing eight runs on seven hits including three home runs. Josh DeGraaf allowed three runs on five hits (including a home run) and a walk. Kender Villegas finished the game with three solid innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out one.

Harold Ramirez was 2/4 with an RBI while Gunnar Heidt was also 2/4. Patrick Cantwell, playing his first game for the Fisher Cats, was 1/4 with a double and two RBI.

Player of the Game: Harold Ramirez and Gunnar Heidt

Roster Notes: Raffy Lopez was promoted to the Buffalo Bisons.

Dunedin Blue Jays 16, Bradenton Marauders 4

The Dunedin Blue Jays’ (17-14) mighty offense roared to life, defeating the Bradenton Marauders 16-4, getting 22 hits including four each from Max Pentecost and Danny Jansen. Jansen launched two home runs and a double while adding a walk, three RBI and two runs. Pentecost drove in five runs, hitting his team-leading seventh home run of the season and scoring twice. Lane Thomas was 3/6 with two runs, Matt Dean was 3/5 with a double, a walk, two RBI and two runs and Cavan Biggio was 3/5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs. Conor Panas was 2/5 with a walk, an RBI and two runs.

Ryan Borucki started for the D-Jays, going 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Ryan Cook picked up the win, going 3 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and allowing just one run on two hits and a walk. Philip Walby allowed a run on a solo home run but also walked two in two innings while Daniel Young walked one in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Max Pentecost and Danny Jansen

Lansing Lugnuts 9, Burlington Bees 4

The Lansing Lugnuts (16-12) continued to play like the “Luggernauts,” overcoming a rough start by Denis Diaz to beat the Burlington Bees 9-4. Diaz allowed one run through the first two innings but walked four batters to start the third and was eventually charged with all four Burlington runs after he was relieved by Griffin Glaude. Glaude gave up a single to the first batter he faced and hit the next but was excellent after that, firing four scoreless innings while striking out five. Geno Encina followed with two perfect innings, striking out one and Zach Jackson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to finish the game.

The Lugnuts’ offense contributed up and down the lineup with Bo Bichette hitting two opposite field doubles and adding a walk while Bradley Jones and Ryan Hissey each had a double and a triple. Jones added two walks and scored twice, driving in one run while Hissey’s double came with the bases-loaded and he had four RBI total. Christian Williams also had two hits on the day, as did J.B. Woodman (2/4, BB) and Joshua Palacios (2/5, R, SB).

Player of the Game: Griffin Glaude and Ryan Hissey

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The 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is now available! Check out the Handbook page for more information!