Wed. 4/20: Mudcats and Timber Rattlers Matinees

[Mass Haas]

Make note of the early action today

https://www.milb.com/scores/milwaukee-brewers/2022-04-20

[damuelle]

The Mudcats have an early start against Lynchburg today, rolling out the same 9 hitters who scored 10 in yesterday's win, including RF Hendry Mendez (3-4, HR, double, 4 RBIs yesterday). RHP Ryne Moore makes his 3rd start, with a decent WHIP (1.18) and K/9 rate (9.0) through 11 innings thus far:

[Joseph Zarr]

No early Mudcats runs? 0-0 in the 3rd? This can’t be!

Will they score the first runs for the ninth game straight? Stay tuned…

[Joseph Zarr]

Stop the presses: The Mudcats give up the first run in a 1-0 game now headed to the fourth inning. This ends their streak at 8 games scoring first.

 

Ryne Moore hits a batter, throws wildly to first to advance the runner and then with two down gives a line drive single off his glove into LF to allow the run to score. He follows with a balk and a walk (how about that for alliterative baseball phrasing you don’t see every day?) but leaves the inning further unscathed.

 

0-1 Hillcats.

[Joseph Zarr]

Arbert Cipion with the run-scoring triple in the bottom of the fifth scores Micah Bello who drew a hard fought 10 pitch walk. It is 1-1 and we are headed to the bottom of the 6th.

[Joseph Zarr]

Herbert Perez hits his 2nd home run on his season as he continues his turnaround for the better (Woot woot) at the plate. Quero follows with his second hit of the day but is thrown out at 2nd base on a force out off the bat of Hendry Mendez. 
 

It is 2-1 Mudcats headed to the 7th.

 

It is worth noting: off the triple of Cipion’s bat, he knocked on his 10th rbi here in the early going. I’ve mentioned his much improved approach. Those are the results.

[Joseph Zarr]

Karlos Morales hopped atop the mound to relief Moore in the 6th inning. He is absolutely pounding the zone. 2 ip with 4 k's. Have I mentioned pitching across all three Levels?

[damuelle]

The High-A Timber Rattlers are also playing early today, looking to build on yesterday's nail-biting 3-2 victory over Quad Cities. LHP Russell Smith makes his second start after a terrific debut (4 innings, 0 runs, 4 Ks). C Wes Clarke is behind the dish today, aiming to extend his 3-game hitting streak:

[Joseph Zarr]

Let's Go! Carolina improves to 5-0 at Five County Stadium and pull out the 2-1 victory on 'Education Day' where, miraculously, all the school kids stayed the full 9 innings. The base trips post-game for the kiddos may take longer than the actual contest.

Vassalotti with his second save on the season with a highly effective mix of heat - flat and tailing and coming in hot - and a breaking pitch which he displayed on the first pitch of his final punch out. The Mudcats have now won three straight and improve to 7-4 through 11 games.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Mudcats pen goes 4 scoreless. Have I talked about bullpens and pitching strength in our Brewers organization? I should probably do that. Morales gets the victory...

Something to keep an eye on:

Coming of his blistering outing last night at the plate, Hendry Mendez left the game (under his own power, thankfully!) after a vicious collision - head on it appeared - at second base attempting to slide during a double play ball. It looked as though he took the shortstop's knee directly to his head. Yikes! He was seen, post-slide, writhing in pain for several minutes, face down in the dirt. I imagine, he'll be getting a day off tomorrow. Let's hope it is just a bang bang play for the youngster!

[Joseph Zarr]

It is fair to say Russ Smith does not have his best stuff whatsoever. This could be a rough one for the Timber Rattlers. He's missing the zone early and often, he has a wild pitch to score a run and he's given up 5 (4 earned) in 1.1 innings. Not what we expect from the imposing Lefty.

[Joseph Zarr]

It was 3-0 early in this one, btw, and after a Tyler Black single scored Sal Frelick off his opening double had it to 3-1, Joe Gray Jr. doubled down the LF line putting runners on second and third base with zero outs. It certainly seemed like a mini-rally was in store with red hot Darrien Miller at the plate (DH in this one). However, the Timber Rattlers wouldn't see a ball leave the infield. Miller popped up to third base and Clarke and Warren both go down looking on balls right over the heart of the plate - Clarke on a breaking ball he clearly wasn't expecting and Warren on a fast ball right over the Middle. A frustrating way to start the day!

[Joseph Zarr]

Frelick with an rbi base knock to CF scores Tristan Peters off the double steal earlier. It's 2-5 now and runners on first and third with 1 down. Both bullpens have been active in the second inning here and Chamberlain is now leaving the game while Quad City goes to the bullpen. He is responsible for Ernesto Martinez on third and Frelick on first. Let's go, Tyler Black, let's make this interesting!

[Joseph Zarr]

The Timber Rattlers strand two on second and third again. Questionable questionable strike calls from the home plate ump in these early innings, however, are frustrating hitters and manager Joe Ayrault alike. Tyler gets a called third strike that definitely appeared low and outside and had some words. Joe Gray Jr. ultimately strikes out on a beautiful off-speed pitch by the lefty Pennington after working the count full. On to the third where it is still 5-2 Quad Cities.

[Joseph Zarr]

Russ leaves after 2.1 innings. Rough rough outing but the Timber Rattlers are extremely out of synch in this cold and windy affair in Wisconsin. He goes 60 pitches with only 32 strikes and trails 2-7 on 5 earned. Zach Mort is in now to attempt to calm things down for the Timber Rattlers.

[Joseph Zarr]

SLAMMA LAMMA DING DONG!! Wes Clarke rips a grand slam bomb deep over the wall in left center. 6-9 Timber Rattlers are clawing back baby. 11 hits on the game. Wes with 7 rbi's now on the season. What a blast just after laying off a tantalizing breaking pitch off the outside corner. Gotta love it.

[Joseph Zarr]

Frelick will come up to the plate shortly for a chance to go 5-5. The young man is such a future lead-off weapon. I am absolutely loving watching this young man play. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Oh muh Lawwwwwwd sweet goat milk baby cheesus! Sal Frelick having A DAY! A two run opposite field JACK and he is 5-5 on the day. The first such 5 hit performance since August 8th of 2021 (JeVon Ward hit for the cycle if you recall). Oh BABAY! 8-9. LET'S GO!

[Joseph Zarr]

Oh man, Joe Gray Jr. just got under one to LF. I thought it was gone off the bat? I might have...might...have jumped and squealed like my 4 yo daughter in an Easter egg hunt. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Darrien Miller ends the inning stranding Tyler Black at first base. Darrien does have a single to deep RF today but he is swinging for the fences and getting under everything. I imagine he'll head back to the cages and work on leveling his swing once he sees the tape. 3 sky pop-up outs on the day.

[Joseph Zarr]

James Meeker pitches a scoreless ninth and the Rattlers come up to try and steal one in Appleton. AND, we have men on second and third with NO outs. Tristen Peters at the dish to see if he can get the victory. It's all happening so fast. Drinks are spilling! Tristen knocks a single into RF. It's 9-9. Winning run at third. Men on the corners. Zero outs.

[Joseph Zarr]

WOW. Wild pitch walk off. Unbelievable stuff. Timber Rattlers trailed 9-2 and pull it off for a 10-9 victory. What. A. Finish.

[Joseph Zarr]

Looking forward to Andy Otero's opportunity to continue dominating the strike zone and Double-AA hitters to get the Shuckers back on track. Let's hope the hitters can find something and turn the tide of their current woes.

[damuelle]

The Sounds are riding a 3-game winning streak, holding their opponents scoreless for 27 1/3 consecutive innings. RHP Jason Alexander makes his 3rd start, seeking to advance his record to 3-0. 1B Tyler White has hit safely in his last 4 games, with 5 extra base hits in that span:

[damuelle]

AA Biloxi strives to bounce back from a frustrating 2-1 loss in Birmingham yesterday, with LHP Andy Otero targeting his 2nd straight victory (5 innings, 1 run in his last start). CF Garrett Mitchell’s batting 2nd, coming in with a 4-game hitting streak: