Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/22): Biloxi Is Still in the Hunt while Wisconsin Comes Back Late

[Joseph Zarr]

Coming off essentially a week and a half of wedding preparation and ceremonial bliss on my farm with a mere one day of recovery felt a little challenging in my return to covering the teams we all love. But, man, that changed quickly when I watched Biloxi and Wisconsin fight tooth and nail for late victories. Tyler Herb continued his erratic starting performances in Nashville and, well, Carolina, literally gave up A home run and that was the ball game. One hit. One run. Game over. Let's get into the recaps.

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DSL Brewers 2 13, DSL Brewers 1 8:

Our two young Brewers squads in the Dominican League faced off for their second time in their extremely young season and, just as in the first contest, the DSL Brewers 2 managed to pull one out. It's fair to say: this one has the looks of a sloppy 11 error affair (Wooooof!) that aided seven unearned runs to cross the plate. Jhofez Mejias took the loss for the DSL Brewers 1 but not a single of his four runs were earned ?. Special mention should be given to DSL Brewers 2's Jeral Vizcaino who managed to execute the rare scoreless two-inning stint in this one. A mere walk with three strikeouts gave his pitching line a special shine.

As seen above in the score, there were quite a few runs across the plate in this affair. On the DSL Brewers 2 side of things, Brayan Oropeza continues to hit the living heck out of the ball. With two more singles, a walk, and three rbi's in this game his OPS is now sitting at an absolutely sustainable 1.632. Whewww. Irving Igualas managed another two hits, as did Reminton Batista (including his first home run of the year in the first - a solo shot), and Juan Baez. Special kudos to Francisco Nina and his breakout three-hit game. On the DSL Brewers 1 side of things, Luis Lara managed to hit his fourth double as did Duncan Garcia (two hits on the day including said fourth double), and Gery Holguin managed to collect two hits including his sixth rbi. Holguin's average and OPS may be pedestrian but he is clearly opportunistic with his knocks. 

 

Carolina Pre-Game Notes (No Game Notes posted ?)   

Final:  Down East (Rangers) 1, Carolina 0
Box Score / Game Log                               

Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review:

Rodriguez and Puello Allow One Hit in 1-0 Loss - The Mudcats Fell into a Tie for First in the First Half Standings with the Loss

The challenge with the Down East road games is always the complete lack of video or media coverage so I am left to the Gamecast. It is what it is. As noted in the organizational headline, the Mudcats are now tied with Salem for first place atop their division. Let's hope they can earn some separation after tomorrow's contest.

Carlos Rodriguez held the Down East Wood Ducks hitless and scoreless through three full innings. With one swing of the bat, that predicament changed and the Mudcats trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth. And, well, this one essentially ended right there. It's not often you lose 1-0 in a one-hit affair. That is exactly what happened tonight for our Mudcats. All three Mudcats hits came in the first three innings. The Wood Ducks managed one hit through nine innings. A home run. And, Mudcats lose 1-0. This is one of those brief write-ups. What more is there to say? This was a pitching duel. Rodriguez made a single mistake. Israel Puello came on and shut it down. The bats simply never knocked a run across. 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes            

Final:  Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities (Royals) 2 
Box Score / Game Log                               

Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Rattlers Rally for 4-2 Win Over River Bandits - Gray and Warren Deliver Two-RBI Hits in Wisconsin's Big Inning

Zach Mort got the starting nod and pitched five complete and effective innings. He left with a 0-0 score and a mere three hits and two walks with three punch outs. From pitch one, Zach was pounding the zone with an effective blend of off speed stuff keeping hitters uncomfortable. This was the best version of Zach I've seen of recent vintage. I was particularly impressed with his curve and breaking balls. He worked fast, he was confident, and he pitched with purpose. And, if we're honest, he was helped by a little bit of barehanded work from Mike Brosseau :

Full Game Highlights here:

And, HERE'S your post-game audio podcast. As always, please enjoy.

Further Game Viewing Notes:

• Minor League umpire special number two of the evening: A failed first batter strike out on a full count for Cam Robinson. It was a glorious inside breaking pitch. Completely buckled and fooled the batter. And, apparently, it fooled the umpire as well. Strikes matter. And, sometimes, they're hard to see for the home plate umpire and, well, that's just what it is in these lower level affairs. I share a sigh for you, Cam. And, for you, Wes Clarke. I saw you bickering - rightfully so!
• Oh wait! Said umpire also missed a called third strike on a 2-2 count to close the game. It was another gorgeous breaking ball. This one dead right center of the plate. A good six inches below the top of the strike zone. AND, yet, said ump managed to call that beauty a ball while calling strike three on a breaking ball a good 6" off the inside of the plate. We'll take it but, also, that has to be extremely tough on these pitchers. And, calling balls and strikes in the modern game just isn't easy. Sighs for all!
• I return from my wedding and Justin King has been promoted to Wisconsin from the ACL Brewers Gold?!? And, to boot, he debuted with a flawless inning in a comeback win?! ?You have to love it. Well done, Justin! His clean top half of the eighth inning kept the game within winning distance. 
• Let's enjoy two much deserved clutch hits here by Joe Gray Jr. and Zavier Warren . They've had a bit of the bad luck contact blues lately. It was awesome to see them finally break through: 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes      

Final:  Biloxi  4, Pensacola (Marlins) 2
Box Score / Game Log             

Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Reetz Homer Completes Shuckers Comeback in 5-4 Win - Devanney Ties Franchise Record With 15-Game Hit Streak

My first Shuckers game in over a week, and, well, it was not that wonderful to witness an umpire blow a beautiful strike three breaking ball off the outside of the plate to start inning one. Baseball is back baby! Fear not, Mr. Bullock, you got that left field fly out to atone for the umpire's false eyes and struck out the third batter for a three-up and three-down first inning. The Shuckers saw Noah Campbell lead-off the bottom-half with his 10th double of the season and was immediately sent home on the wings of a Joey Wiemer home run rocket to left field - his fifteenth of the year. Other than a Paul McIntosh home run in the fourth inning (his fifth of the year versus Biloxi - settle down, Paul!) this was Bullock's best outing perhaps all season.

Let's take a look at the first inning Wiemer blast:

 

It was 2-0 Shuckers heading to the second inning. Sal Frelick left yesterday's game after a triple, and, well, there was admittedly no update as per Garrett Greene in the press box. We'll have to keep an eye and ear open for any news or updates. Terence Doston took Frelick's spot in center field. 

Further Viewing Notes:

• I continue to find it a challenge to get a read on Carlos Luna. He came on to spell Bullock in the top of the fifth inning and grabbed out number one on a weak grounder to first (barely thrown out by Felix Valerio ) but then proceeded to walk a batter, give up a rope double off the wall in left field, and then hit a batter to load the bases. The Blue Wahoos managed a deep sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at 2-2. Thankfully, Luna limited the damage there. He managed a strikeout to end the inning and then started off the top of the sixth with another punch out and closed the same frame with a whiff as well. He has much better stuff than his current ERA would tell but, for whatever reason, it has yet to all come together for a meaningful stretch in 2022. Let's hope for more consistent and better runs of play in the second half of this season. 
• Recently, a forum poster proposed: "Is Joey Wiemer in a slump?" I would simply offer: "Maybe?". And, if it is, it's a 'mini slump' or it's simply a sudden lack of favorable production and luck at the plate. Joey simply impacts the game in far too many ways to consider some strikeouts and some bad luck a 'slump'. I truly believe this. Just look at last night's game where he literally executed three web gems to secure a victory. Wiemer can impact any and every game with more than his bat. Tonight he simply managed a key two-run jack.
• This is the best version of
• Justin Bullock I've seen in 2022. He was hitting all edges of the zone. He was mixing in his curve, his breaking ball, and his change-up with an effective fastball. He limited the Blue Wahoos to one run on the McIntosh homer and was just 'in control'. Kudos are in order.
• Cam Devanney
• led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a sliced single to left field. Cam has now hit safely in 15 games and reached base safely in 21. His 2022 surge continues.
• If Devanney is most improved on Biloxi, Campbell is a close second. His rip down the third base line scored the tying runs in the seventh after his ground rule double led to his run scored on the Wiemer home run blast. Noah has been absolutely fantastic since his low point early on - an error earlier in the season when he dropped a routine fly ball leading to a tough Home loss. After an 18 day stint on the IL in May, Noah has hit to the tune of 'WOW'. Check out his June Game Logs Here: a truly INCREDIBLE 48 AB run. Take notice.
• Wiemer has been thrown from games two times in the past month or so. Well, after an absolutely botched check swing third strike call (folks, it wasn't even close) he almost got his third ejection. I have absolutely zero idea what the first base umpire was looking at but, man, that was a key botched call. With Campbell on third he stayed there as Joey was called out and Pedro Severino grounded out in his at bat. It was 4-4.
• I've driven the Jakson Reetz 'Hype Train' all season long and I certainly am not stopping now. He hits the absolutely crucial solo shot to take the 5-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning (his 15th of the year). Winning players make winning plays. I didn't see a single Wahoo base runner even attempt a steal tonight. I love this young man's game. A first half MVP for me 100%. 
• How awesome has Zach Vennarro been for the Shuckers in 2022? Well, let's just give the generic: Awesome. Since returning to Biloxi he's been lights out. Tonight was no different as he secured the quick and easy three-up and three-down Save to close out the come back win. 
• With four more victories to close out an improbable 6-0 series win versus Pensacola, the Shuckers can take the first half and an automatic Playoff birth. They have taken the first two. Let's root for four more!

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes      

Final:  Gwinnett  7, Nashville 2
Box Score / Game Log                        

Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review:

Stripers Defeat Sounds to Even Series - Late Runs Not Enough as Sounds Fall 7-2

 

Tyler Herb continued his up and down work in Nashville on a down note to start this evening. After two complete innings, he had conceded two runs on five hits. He did manage to prevent any free passes and had a lone strikeout but it is fair to say Herb has struggled with men on base during his brief promotion to Triple-A Nashville. He ended his rough outing managing to complete five full innings on the evening but he conceded 11 hits, five runs, and a walk to boot. It's been mostly a struggle since the promotion. Here's to better games ahead! Luke Barker gave up two runs late with the game 5-2 in favor of Gwinnett.

Further Notes:

• The Jon Singleton heartbreak continues for me. 0-for-4 on the evening with four strikeouts. Captain Muscles, I'm rooting for you. But, man, how the mighty have fallen since the Jacksonville series weeeeeeeks ago. Let's turn it around!
• The Sounds ended up 2-for-7 with RISP. Ultimately, this played a large part in the game getting out of hand. They managed nine hits. They simply tacked on the two runs too late.
• Hats off to the bullpen for allowing a mere two hits. Barker's two runs given up ultimately didn't matter, but, it is worth noting Luke's ERA after the two-run home run is above 4.00.
• In a frustrating 7-2 loss, it is worth pointing out the defense continued: three double plays for the Sounds on the evening.
• Pablo Reyes, Corey Ray and Brice Turang all went 2-for-4 on the evening. Pablo, however, managed the lone rbi's. Kudos to decent nights at the dish.

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That's all for me in an evening of mixed results in our lower levels. Stay tuned tomorrow when our ACL affiliates take the diamond again and our DSL teams are back playing other organizations. We'll have all evening affairs across the higher level match-ups including another possible gem from Caleb Boushley in Nashville. Thanks for reading!

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Dominican Summer League Scoreboard

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[Joseph Zarr]

From our glorious ongoing ‘Minor League Transactions’ thread and from Monday, 6/21 (for those interested):

- LHP Justin King promoted to High-A Wisconsin from ACL Brewers Gold
- RHP Victor Castaneda activated from AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list
- RHP Harold Chirino activated from AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list
- OF Tristen Lutz placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list
- C Brent Diaz placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list
- OF Micah Bello placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list
- RHP Trevor Gott sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin
- 3B Mike Brosseau sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin
 

Thanks @damuelle for laying this down for us!