Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/29): Brewers’ Affiliates Achieve a 4-0 Sunday Sweep to Close Out the Week!

Forgive me, Father, for my faith-o-meter was low heading into Sunday’s games, in light of the elevated ERAs of our starting pitchers:

• Mudcats’ Fernando Olguin – 6.75 ERA
• Rattlers’ Ryne Moore – 16.71 ERA (at High-A level)
• Shuckers’ Noah Zavolas – 7.71 ERA
• Sounds’ Alec Bettinger – 7.88 ERA 

Of course, the real games are played on the field, and “past results are not necessarily predictive of future performance” (or is that an investment caveat?). And the results on Sunday were terrific, with all four Brewer full-season affiliate offenses in high gear:

• Carolina stormed ahead 3-2 on a Willy Adames (yes, that Willy Adames, rehabbing from injury) hitting a two-run homer, after which the Mudcats would add another ten unanswered runs. Jackson Chourio starred with four hits
• Wisconsin jumped out to leads of 3-0 and 6-2, then hung on for a terrific win, with OF Tristan Peters homering and driving in three runs
• Biloxi wasn’t fazed by an early 4-0 deficit, putting up a team-record 16 runs in a game where both offenses were relentless. C Brent Diaz was the star with a home run and five RBIs
• Nashville had all the answers after a 4-0 early lead had evaporated into a 4-4 tie by the 4th inning, with Abraham Almonte smacking the go-ahead two-run blast and Pablo Reyes adding a three-run shot as insurance

As to those starters, Olguin and Moore came through with solid performances, yielding two earned runs and one earned run, respectively, while Zavolas and Bettinger actually saw their ERAs increase (oh no!) as they continue to work back into game shape after long layoffs.

Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Chourio, Almonte, Diaz, Peters and Zach Vennaro, with shout outs to Jonathan Davis, Reyes, Jesus Chirinos, Robbie Hitt, Tristen Lutz and Thomas Dillard for their own massive contributions to Sunday’s terrific results.

Transactions:

• OF/IF Noah Campbell was activated from AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list

Game Action:

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 13, Kannapolis 2
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: Adames and Mudcats Slug Out 13-2 Victory

The first place Mudcats were not daunted by a first inning 2-0 deficit, ripping off 13 straight runs from the 2nd through the 6th inning to win handily and take the series 5-1 over Kannapolis.

In the 2nd inning, Jackson Chourio had the first of his four hits on the night, this one of the infield variety, ultimately scoring on a Jesus Chirinos RBI groundout. Rehabbing DH Willy Adames (yes, it’s totally unfair, we know!) then blasted the first pitch he saw in the 3rd inning to right field for a two-run homer and a Mudcat lead which would never be relinquished.

Luis Silva then opened up the flood gates with a bases-clearing double in the 4th inning for a 6-2 lead, which was Silva’s second clutch hit in as many games after a game-tying RBI single in the final inning of Saturday night’s victory.

In the same inning, Chourio’s 2nd hit of the night knocked in two more Carolina runs for an 8-2 lead.

The hit squad continued their work in the 6th inning, with OF Arbert Cipion smacking his 4th home run of the year and Chirinos adding a bases clearing double to the Cannon Ballers’ misery.

Bid kudos go out to starter Fernando Olguin for settling down and not yielding any runs over his final four innings of work. Carolina’s bullpen of Michele Vassalotti, Jesus Montero, Trevor Tietz and Christian Tripp were also fabulous, combining to cover 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Is it promotion time for the dominant Vassalotti, 25-year old Tripp and/or others (e.g. RHP Brannon Jordan, OF Cipion, 2B Zack Raabe)? Let’s see if there’s any announcement on Tuesday.

Performances of Note:

• Jackson Chourio – 4-5, double, 2 RBIs
• Jesus Chirinos – 2-4, double, 4 RBIs
• Willy Adames – 1-2, HR, BB, 2 RBIs
• Arbert Cipion – 1-3, HR, 2 BBs, RBI
• Luis Silva – 1-4, double, 3 RBIs
• Hendry Mendez – 1-2, double
• Zack Raabe – 1-3, HBP
• Fernando Olguin – 4 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks
• Michele Vassalotti (Win) – 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K
• Jesus Montero – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K
• Trevor Tietz – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks
• Christian Tripp – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K

Next week’s outlook: The 26-19 Mudcats hit the road to take on 24-20 Lynchburg. Expect RHPs Carlos F. Rodriguez (4.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 24 1/3 innings) and Alexander Cornielle to tag-team the opener of the six-game series.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 6, Cedar Rapids 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Hold On To Beat Kernels and Earn Series Split

Needing a fast start on the road against a tough Cedar Rapids’ squad, Wisconsin’s offense was up to the task, getting a 1st inning run on a Tyler Black leadoff single and three consecutive walks, then getting consecutive home runs from Black and Carlos D. Rodriguez in the 2nd inning for a 3-0 early lead.

Of course, when you’re facing the league leaders and have a starting pitcher coming off consecutive rough outings, you don’t want to gift the opposition any runs, but that’s unfortunately exactly what Wisconsin’s defense did, with throwing errors by Ryne Moore and Wes Clarke allowing the Kernels to claw back to 3-2 by the 3rd inning.

Matters were made worse when red-hot Rodriguez exited the game with an injured knee after grounding out in the 4th inning. With Joey Wiemer itching for promotion from Biloxi to AAA and Rodriguez finally mashing in his 2nd season of High-A ball, the 21-year-old has actually been on the promotion watch. Let’s pray the injury is not serious.

Thankfully, fellow OF Tristan Peters came through in a big way, fouling off three pitches and then hitting a three-run homer in the 4th inning to grow the Timber Rattlers’ lead to 6-2, before the Rattler bats went eerily silent.

With only one more Rattler hit the rest of the evening, the team needed a stellar pitching effort the rest of the way to hold off the dangerous Kernels. Starter Moore ably covered six innings on the night, with a 5th inning homer being the only earned run he conceded.

RHP Joey Matulovich was exceptional in his one inning of work (two Ks, line out), before RHP James Meeker yielded an 8th inning run on two hits and a walk, thankfully stranding two runners with Wisconsin clinging to a 6-4 lead.

Cam Robinson certainly made it interesting by hitting the leadoff batter and giving up a single to open the 9th inning, then adding a one-out walk to load the bases and taking the count full to the next Cedar Rapids hitter. Of course, Mr. Robinson came through as he always does, striking out the final two batters to close out a 6-4 Rattler victory.

And with that sigh of relief, Wisconsin can be proud that they managed a 3-3 series split for the week, remaining just one game behind Cedar Rapids for first place.

Okay, will we see those expected promotions of LHP Antoine Kelly and RHPs Brandon Knarr, Cam Robinson, and Kent Hasler this week? What about ever-dangerous 2B Tyler Black? Again, let’s hope and pray that OF Rodriguez’s injury does not cause him to miss significant time.

Performances of Note:

• Tristan Peters – 2-4, HR, double, BB, 3 RBIs
• Tyler Black – 2-4, HR, BB, RBI, SB
• Carlos D. Rodriguez – 1-3, double, RBI
• Ashton McGee – 1-3, BB
• Ryne Moore (Win) – 6 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 5 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks
• Joey Matulovich – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• Cam Robinson (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks

Next week’s outlook: The 28-17 Timber Rattlers return home to face 18-27 Peoria. Expect RHP Justin Jarvis start in the opener, who’s coming off a gem in his last outing (6 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 Ks).

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 16, Montgomery 11
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Diaz Drives Home Five in Series Finale Victory 

What a turnaround for the Shuckers after a rough previous week! I believe the three days off (Monday-Wednesday) likely allowed the team to re-focus, while it probably didn’t hurt that the Montgomery Biscuits came into the series with an eight-game losing streak.

Well, now the Shuckers have a four-game winning streak to feel excellent about and rather unbelievably sit in a tie for first place in the highly competitive Southern League South Division (the third-place team is only half a game out of first).

Imagine scoring 16 runs on an 0-for-5 Joey Wiemer night! This was stunning!

RHP Noah Zavolas has obviously not yet found his standard form after missing spring training and the first month of the season, again getting shellacked in this contest:

• three first-inning runs, on a homer, double, two singles, and a walk
• two second-inning walks, but thankfully only one run
• two fourth-inning runs, on two more homers

Thankfully, the Biloxi offense was prepared to support their suffering starter, sending eight batters to the plate in a four-run second inning to knot the game at 4-4, with Gabe Holt doubling in a run, Brent Diaz singling in two runs, and Felix Valerio adding a two-out RBI single.

Again trailing, this time 6-5 in the 5th inning, Cam Devanney doubled in the tying run and Mr. Diaz added a two-out, two-run single to give Biloxi an 8-6 lead.

As mentioned above, key credit goes to RHP Robbie Hitt for calming the waters by retiring all four batters he faced over his 1 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, RHP JT Hintzen ran into trouble in the 6th, 7th innings, and 8th innings, with a walk, single, and passed ball cutting the lead to 8-7 and then a walk, error and three-run homer giving Montgomery ten runs to that point in the evening. Given the defensive miscues, only one of Hintzen’s five runs allowed was actually earned.

Thomas Dillard had briefly extended the Shuckers’ lead to 10-7 with a two-run single in the 6th inning, then came through again in the 7th inning with another RBI single to re-take the lead at 11-10. From there, the inning quickly got out of hand for Montgomery, as Jakson Reetz plated a run on an infield single and then OF Tristen Lutz cleared the bases with a three-run double for a 15-10 Biloxi lead.

Back to Hintzen, who gave up a double and walk to open the 8th inning before struggling RHP Taylor Floyd entered the game with the challenging two-on, nobody out situation. Mr. Floyd promptly walked the first batter he faced on four pitches and serious fear was creeping in. Was Montgomery going to have a big inning to tie up the game once again?

Thankfully, Taylor Floyd came through on this evening, inducing a ground ball double play and striking out the next batter to escape with a 15-11 lead.

For good measure, Mr. Diaz connected on his 6th homer of the year in the bottom of the 8th inning to restore Biloxi’s four-run advantage, before RHP Nash Walters closed it out with a three-up, three-down 9th inning (two strikeouts.

Performances of Note:

• Brent Diaz – 3-4, HR, BB, 5 RBIs
• Tristen Lutz – 2-5, double, 3 RBIs
• Cam Devanney – 2-4, double, BB, RBI
• Thomas Dillard – 2-4, BB, 3 RBIs
• Felix Valerio – 2-5, BB, RBI
• Jakson Reetz – 1-2, 3 BBs, RBI
• Gabe Holt – 1-4, double, SF, 2 RBIs
• Noah Zavolas – 3 2/3 IP, 6 R, 6 H, 4 BBs, 2 WPs, 4 Ks
• Robbie Hitt – 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks
• JT Hintzen (Win) – 2 IP, 5 R (1 ER), 3 H, 3 BBs, 1 K
• Taylor Floyd – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K
• Nash Walters – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks

Next week’s outlook: The 22-21 Shuckers will bus to 20-20 Pensacola. Expect LHP Nick Bennett (5.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 in 38 innings) to start the opener.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 9, Toledo 5
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Sounds Win Finale in Toledo to Earn Series Split

Nashville’s prospect of earning a win to avoid their first series loss of 2022 took a hit during pre-game, when expected starter LHP Ethan Small (1.88 ERA) was replaced with RHP Alec Bettinger (7.88 ERA), who’s still rounding into game shape after missing spring training and the first month of the season. Of course, Small’s absence was actually excellent news, since he’s being promoted to The Show to start Game One of the Brewers’ Monday doubleheader against the Cubs.

The Sounds’ offense was ready to support their surprise starter, with OF Jonathan Davis opening the game with a double and scoring on a ground out, then the team knocking in two more runs in the 2nd inning on two walks, an error and a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead. That lead grew to 4-1 in the 4th inning, courtesy of a Davis RBI double.

Unfortunately, Bettinger was hit hard again in this one, giving up:

• A line-drive single in the first inning
• A homer and line-drive single in the second inning
• Two doubles and a walk in the 3rd inning, bailed out by 3B Andruw Monasterio throwing out a runner at home
• A homer, two singles, and a walk in the 4th inning before exiting with a 4-3 lead with two on and nobody out.

Zach Vennaro could not have been thrust into a more difficult spot in his first-ever AAA appearance, but was downright exceptional, getting a ground ball double play and ground out to escape the inning, though one run would score on a throwing error to tie up the game at 4-4.

Vennaro then struck out three batters in the 5th inning and induced three ground outs in the 6th inning and ultimately earned the win for his amazing effort.

In the top of the 6th inning, Jonathan Davis reached base with his third hit of the evening, following which OF Abraham Almonte cracked his sixth home run of 2022 for a 6-4 Nashville lead.

RHP Matt Hardy continued the terrific bullpen work with two scoreless innings before Pablo Reyes put the game out of reach with a 9th inning three-run shot (his fifth of the year) to extend the lead to 9-4.

The terrific offensive and bullpen efforts earned the Sounds a 3-3 series split for their week in Toledo.

We should note that OF David Dahl was ejected after a three-pitch strikeout in the first inning, never getting to play in the field in this one.

Performances of Note:

• Jonathan Davis – 3-5, 2 doubles, RBI
• Abraham Almonte – 2-4, HR, double, BB, 2 RBIs
• Pablo Reyes – 1-4, HR, BB, 3 RBIs, SB
• Brian Navarreto – 1-3, SF, RBI
• Weston Wilson – 1-3, BB
• Tyler White – 1-4, BB
• Alec Bettinger – 3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 8 H, 2 BBs, 1 K
• Zach Vennaro (Win) – 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks
• Matt Hardy – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (32-15) remains on the road this week to take on 25-23 Durham, playing on Monday (Memorial Day) before having Tuesday off. Expect RHP Dylan File to handle the opening game.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy your travel day (except for Nashville, who plays TODAY), young fellas!

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