Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/22): Nashville and Wisconsin Come Back to Pull Out Late Victories

The story of Sunday night should be Antoine Kelly and his 13 K performance in 5 2/3 innings against the hapless Cubs, but those lucky losers made a game of it before Cam Robinson, James Meeker, Tyler Black & Co. pulled it out.

Nashville and Louisville kept it entertaining for the fans, scoring another 17 runs over the remaining innings of Saturday’s continued contest, while playing a 5-4 nail-biter in the night cap. Pablo Reyes went 4-5 with a home run in the opener and had the game-winning homer in the late game.

Carolina laid low for most of their contest, before trying to score another 6 runs in the final inning to pull out a win, alas falling short 5-3.

Lifeless Biloxi dropped their finale against Mississippi as they continue to struggle with three key players sidelined (Garrett Mitchell, Freddy Zamora, Sal Frelick).

Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Reyes, Kelly, Robinson, Israel Puello and Abraham. Apologies to James Meeker, Joe Gray Jr., Josh Lindblom, Weston Wilson and Jon Singleton, who each had strong cases as well.

Transactions:

• None, though let me mention RHP Trevor Kelley’s option from the MLB Brewers to AAA Nashville which I’d omitted in an earlier summary.

Game Action:
Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Down East 5, Carolina 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: The Mudcats Fun Continues All Month Long

RHP Israel Puello had his best start since early April, keeping the Mudcats in the contest over 5 innings while striking out 7 and allowing 1 earned run.

Unfortunately, opposing starter LHP Larson Kindreich was simply dominant, conceding no runs, 2 hits and a walk over 6 innings, whilst striking out 8 Mudcats. Wood Duck domination of Carolina hitters continued as they went down in order in the 7th and 8th innings as well, while Down East pushed 3 runs across on 2 home runs against RHP Edwin Jimenez to lead 5-0 heading into the 9th inning.

However, that’s where things got interesting as Carolina’s bats finally woke up, with 4 singles and a walk closing the gap to 5-3 and Down East making a pitching change with 2 outs, runners on the corners and Jesus Chirinos up.

Unfortunately, Chirinos went down swinging on a full count, but the Mudcats should still feel satisfied with their memorable 4-2 series win.

Performances of Note:

• Zack Raabe – 2-3, BB, SB
• Hendry Mendez – 1-3, SF, RBI
• Jeferson Quero – 1-3, RBI
• Oswel Leones – 1-4, RBI
• Luis Silva – 1-3
• Israel Puello (Loss) – 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks
• Edwin Jimenez – 4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 WP, 5 Ks

Next week’s outlook: The 21-18 Mudcats remain home to face Kannapolis (17-22) for the first time this year. Expect RHP Fernando Olguin (5 shutout innings in his first appearance last week) to start the opener of the 6-game series.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 7, South Bend 6
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Get the Last Rally in Walkoff, 7-6 Win Over Cubs

See video highlights compiled by Wisconsin’s talented media squad here:

LHP Antoine Kelly was simply on another level in this game, comfortably mowing down Cubbie hitters to the tune of 13 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, including the first 6 batters of the game. Entering the 6th inning, Kelly had walked none and given up only 2 hits, before dumb luck got in the way as he neared his pitch limit.

Offensively, Wisconsin’s bats stayed hot after Saturday’s night win, with Micah Bello driving in 2 runs (and himself on an error) with a 2nd inning double and then Joe Gray Jr. hitting a 2-run, 3rd inning homer to give the Timber Rattlers a seemingly large 5-0 lead.

In the 6th inning, the Cubs put two runners on base via infield grounders, before their big basher Jake Washer (26 years old in High-A with an OPS over 1.100) came to the plate with Kelly already at 85 pitches. Predictably as these things tend to go, Kelly walked the dangerous right handed hitter and had to exit with the bases loaded despite no meaningful Cub contact.

Unfortunately, usually electric RHP Kent Hasler was not himself this night, as the Cub smacked his first two pitches for a 3-run double and an RBI single, tightening the contest at 5-4 and ballooning unlucky Kelly’s season ERA from 1.82 to 2.52.

Hasler was done after just 5 pitches, with RHP Robbie Baker coming in to give up another 2 runs in the 7th inning, as Wisconsin suddenly trailed 6-5.

But RHP Cam Robinson was immune to South Bend’s magic, facing the minimum 6 Cubbies over the 8th and 9th innings and giving Wisconsin a great chance to pull out a victory.

The Timber Rattlers loaded the bases with one out in the 8th inning, getting the tying run across (Tyler Black, who’d started the inning with a single) on a Wes Clarke sacrifice fly.

In the 10th inning, the Cubbies went with the old-fashioned approach of bunting Manfred’s ghost over to 3rd base, but RHP James Meeker would allow nothing from there, getting a strike out and fly out to leave the ghost runner stranded.

In the bottom half, Mr. Black again opened the inning with a single, moving Micah Ghost Bello to 3rd base. Deciding to up the pressure on themselves I guess (or play for the triple play?), South Bend intentionally walked Zavier Warren and then allowed a passed ball to allow Bello to score the game-winning run. Wisconsin 7, Lucky Losers 6.

That’s a 3-3 series split for the week.

Performances of Note:

• Joe Gray Jr. – 3-4, HR, 2 RBIs
• Tyler Black – 2-5, double, RBI
• Micah Bello – 1-4, double, 2 RBIs
• Darrien Miller – 1-4, double
• Zavier Warren – 1-4, double, BB
• Antoine Kelly – 5 2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 13 Ks
• Cam Robinson – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks
• James Meeker (Win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K

Next week’s outlook: The 25-14 Timber Rattlers hit the road to face first place Cedar Rapids (26-13) for the first time in 2022. Expect RHP Ryne Moore (3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 39 innings across two levels) to make his second-ever High-A start in the opener.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Mississippi 6, Biloxi 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Drop Series Finale 6-1 

There’s not much to talk about here, as the Shuckers just aren’t playing very good or interesting baseball without the likes of Mitchell, Zamora and Frelick.

Mississippi jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning against LHP Nick Bennett on 3 hits and a walk, then conceded a 4th run on a Tristen Lutz fielding error in the 5th inning.

Thomas Dillard came through with an RBI single to score Gabe Holt (who’d singled) in the 6th inning, but the Braves grabbed the run right back in the bottom half against RHP Nash Walters (triple, RBI single).

For the week, Biloxi won 2 games and lost 4, hoping to turn things around at home next week.

If you want to watch the other team’s highlights, visit @mbraves on Twitter.

Performances of Note:

• Gabe Holt – 2-4
• Joey Wiemer – 1-4, double
• Thomas Dillard – 1-4, RBI
• Cam Devanney – 1-3, BB, SB
• Brent Diaz – 1-3
• Nick Bennett (Loss) – 4 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BBs, 1 K
• JT Hintzen – 1 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks

Next week’s outlook: The struggling 18-21 Shuckers come home to face 15-19 Montgomery, which swept Biloxi in Montgomery earlier in the month. Expect either RHP Justin Bullock or RHP Carlos Luna to start the opener, likely tag-teaming the game.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final (continuation from Saturday night): Nashville 17, Louisville 7
Box Score / Game Log

Final: Nashville 5, Louisville 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Sounds Slug Way to Sunday Sweep

Nashville and Louisville played loose in the opening contest of the day, continuing from the 3rd inning of Saturday’s rain-paused game with the Sounds leading 7-0.

Unable to copy RHP Josh Lindblom’s 3-inning shutout performance, RHPs Alec Bettinger and Thomas Jankins instead gave up 7 runs over 4 innings, which would have been a problem if Nashville’s offense didn’t also put up:

• 2 runs in the 4th inning (Pablo Reyes RBI double, Weston Wilson RBI single)
• 4 runs in the 6th inning (Reyes homer, Tyler White 2-RBI single, Mark Mathias sac fly)
• 4 runs in the 7th inning (Weston Wilson RBI single, Abraham Almonte 2-run homer, Jon Singleton dinger)

RHP Luke Barker stopped the fireworks in the 8th inning, earning the win for his efforts.

Things were far more difficult in Game Two of this pseudo-doubleheader, with RHP Caleb Boushley making his 2nd start of the week and no other long inning guys available to possibly come to his aid.

Louisville jumped on Boushley early, with Jake Bauers bashing a 2-run homer in the first inning and then a single, triple and RBI groundout extending their lead to 4-1 in the 2nd inning.

However, this Nashville squad simply knows how to win, while the Louisville Bats simply know how to do something else. Mark Mathias and Weston Wilson hit solo home runs in each of the first two innings to keep the affair close at 4-2, while the Bats swung early and often to allow Boushley to go deep into the game.

After Alex Jackson threw out a would-be base stealer in the top of the 4th inning (thank you Louisville for speeding up the game!), Tyler White knocked in eagle-eyed Jon Singleton (who’d walked) to put the game on a knife’s edge at 4-3.

Louisville opted to run themselves out of the 5th inning by trying and failing to extend a single to a double, though Nashville was unable to bring Jonathan Davis home from 2nd base in the bottom half.

Boushley covered the 6th inning as well, finishing the week with 172 pitches thrown, while the Bats turned to their 4th pitcher of the game. Jon Singleton greeted LHP Phillip Diehl with a double, before David Dahl struck out on a foul tip.

That set the stage for Pablo Reyes , who’d gone 4-5 with a home run in the opener and wanted more. Reyes came through with a 2-run shot over the left field well and Nashville had its first lead at 5-4.

RHP Hobie Harris came in for the attempted save, but wasn’t his usual self, walking two of the first three Louisville hitters he faced. However, the generous Bats got another baserunner thrown out (Do not run on Alex Jackson! ? ) and Harris struck out Nick Senzel to end the game and earn the save.

That’s a 5-1 series win for Nashville, their 7th straight series victory to open this amazing season.

Performances of Note (Game One):

• Pablo Reyes – 4-5, HR, double, 3 RBIs, SB
• Abraham Almonte – 3-4, 2 HR, BB, 6 RBIs
• Weston Wilson – 3-5, 3 RBIs, SB
• Jon Singleton – 2-5, HR, RBI
• Andruw Monasterio – 2-5, triple
• David Dahl – 2-4, BB
• Tyler White – 1-4, BB, 2 RBIs
• Mario Feliciano – 1-5, RBI
• Josh Lindbom – 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• Alec Bettinger – 3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 4 H, 2 BBs, 1 WP, 0 Ks
• Luke Barker (Win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks

Performances of Note (Game Two):

• Jonathan Davis – 2-3
• Pablo Reyes – 1-3, HR, 2 RBIs
• Mark Mathias – 1-3, HR, RBI
• Weston Wilson – 1-3, HR, RBI
• Jon Singleton – 1-1, double, 2 BBs
• Tyler White – 1-3, RBI
• Caleb Boushley (Win) – 6 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BBs, 2 Ks
• Hobie Harris (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BBs, 1 K

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (29-12) will be on the road this week to take on 21-19. If he’s healthy and not called up to Milwaukee, expect LHP Ethan Small (1.95 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12.8 K/9 in 32 1/3 innings) to handle the opening game, with LHP Andy Otero being the most likely alternative.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy your travel day, young fellas!

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