Jay Blue: Borucki, Leblebijian, Liriano, Reid-Foley

Right-hander Patrick Murphy threw seven scoreless innings for the class-A Lansing Lugnuts on Sunday. Photo Credit: Jay Blue

May 28, 2017 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Report
By Jay Blue
Blue Jays from Away

All four of the Blue Jays' minor league games were decided by one run with the Jays' affiliates coming out on top in three of them, including a gem of a 12-inning, 1-0 game in Lansing.

Buffalo Bisons 7, Charlotte Knights 8

The Buffalo Bisons got out to a great start, scoring in each of the first four innings to take a 6-0 lead over the Charlotte Knights but the Knights got the better of the Bisons' bullpen, handing The Herd an 8-7 loss in Sunday night's action. Francisco Liriano made a rehab start for the Bisons, cruising through four innings and allowing just two batters to reach base. In the fifth, however, a fielding error by Rowdy Tellez opened the floodgates and a double and sacrifice fly scored the leadoff runner and Liriano allowed another single and a walk to put two on with two in before Liriano was relieved by Wil Browning. Browning allowed a third run to score before a great defensive play by Dwight Smith, Jr. caught Jacob May trying to score. Liriano went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with a whopping seven strikeouts. Browning not only couldn't shut the door in the fifth but he gave up another run in the sixth and was charged with three more in the seventh, allowing four runs overall including two home runs. Chad Girodo took the loss, giving up a run on two hits and letting one of his inherited runners from Browning to score and Leonel Campos threw a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bisons' offense was led by Jason Leblebijian who was 3/5 with a double and two RBI while Roemon Fields was 2/6 with a run, Mike Ohlman was 2/4 with a double, a walk, two RBI and two runs and Rowdy Tellez was 2/4 with a double, an RBI and a run. Ian Parmley is also swinging a hot bat, going 2/5 with a double, two RBI and a run.

Player of the Game: Jason Leblebijian and Mike Ohlman

Roster Notes: Francisco Liriano was sent to Buffalo on a rehab assignment.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5, Reading Fightin Phils 4

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (19-29) have put together an outstanding string of games, winning their third in a row and seven of eight, beating the Reading Fightin Phils 5-4 in 10 innings thanks to a walk-off home run by Michael De La Cruz. After giving up a two-run home run in the first inning, Sean Reid-Foley buckled down and didn't allow another run until his eventual departure from the game with two outs in the seventh. Reid-Foley gave up just those two runs on five hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts. Jose Fernandez came in and finished the seventh and pitched the eighth without allowing a run in 1 1/3 innings, striking out a pair. Tim Mayza got just one out in the ninth, giving up a hit and Justin Shafer allowed that runner to score as he gave up a run on two hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. Alonzo Gonzalez got the win by getting the final out of the game in the 10th.

The offense put 10 hits together with Jonathan Davis going 2/5 with a double and two runs. Michael De La Cruz hit his first double-A home run, going 2/4 with a walk. Harold Ramirez was 1/3 with two walks and an RBI while Matt Dean was 1/2 with a walk and an RBI from a sacrifice fly in his first game back with the Fisher Cats this year.

Player of the Game: Michael De La Cruz and Sean Reid-Foley

Dunedin Blue Jays 4, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3

The Dunedin Blue Jays got a strong start from Ryan Borucki on their way to a 4-3 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Borucki went 5 2/3 innings before likely hitting his pitch limit, allowing two runs on five hits (including a home run) and two walks with 10 strikeouts. Kender Villegas allowed a hit and a walk in his inning of work while Ryan Cook walked three and gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings. Danny Young finished the game with a scoreless ninth, saving his fourth of the season.

The Blue Jays got two hits each from Lane Thomas, Max Pentecost, Nash Knight and Carl Wise, accounting for the club's eight hits. Thomas was 2/4 with a double and a walk while Pentecost was 2/5 with an RBI and a run. Knight had an RBI to add to his 2/4 day and Wise added a walk and an RBI, going 2/3.

Player of the Game: Ryan Borucki

Lansing Lugnuts 1, Great Lakes Loons 0

The Lansing Lugnuts played an epic pitcher's duel, coming out on top in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the Great Lakes Loons 1-0. The game was ultimately decided by Midwest League batting leader Bo Bichette driving home J.B. Woodman with two outs in the 12th. For Bichette, now hitting .372, it was his only hit of the day as he went 1/5. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was 2/5 while Edward Olivares hit the club's only double. J.B. Woodman was 1/4 with a single and a walk. Jake Thomas was 0/4 but walked twice and stole a base.

Patrick Murphy was excellent throwing seven scoreless innings of three-hit, two-walk ball, striking out one. Jackson McClelland followed, tossing two innings, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out two and Tayler Saucedo got the win, throwing another three scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

Player of the Game: Patrick Murphy

Roster Notes: Chris Hall was sent to extended spring training and Tayler Saucedo was brought back to the Lugnuts.

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