Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/14): Wisconsin Squeaks Out a Win, but Three Others Fall in Series Openers

Wisconsin jumped out to a comfortable lead, allowed Great Lakes back in the contest, then got the big Ethan Murray two-out, 9th inning single to win it. The combination of Antoine Kelly, James Meeker and Cam Robinson (combined two runs over nine innings of work) are difficult to beat.

Carolina and Biloxi both battled hard in their contests, both of which were knotted late. Carolina just couldn’t punch across that 4th run in a tight 3-3 affair in spite of many opportunities, before conceding several runs late to lose 7-3. And Biloxi clawed back to a 6-6 tie in the 8th inning, before dropping the game 7-6.

Ethan Small will return to his exceptional early season form another day, as this Tuesday contest was his third straight challenging start, in a 7-3 Nashville loss.

For the youngsters, RHP Yerlin Rodriguez offered up an excellent 2nd start and OF Jace Avina hit his 2nd home run of 2022 to lead the ACL Gold squad, while DSL Brewers2 grabbed a walk-off 5-4 victory by scoring two runs in the 9th inning.

Tuesday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Kelly and Meeker, as well as Tyler Black, Stiven Cruz and Brent Diaz.

Transactions:

• LHP Pablo Garabitos returned to Low-A Carolina from AAA Nashville
• RHP Raul Mendoza promoted from DSL Brewers-1 to ACL Brewers Blue
• RHP Christian Tripp promoted from Low-A Carolina to High-A Wisconsin
• RHP Max Lazar placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list
• RHP Ryan Middendorf's contract purchased from the Frontier League (Baseball Reference and his Twitter profile show him as right-handed)
• INF Jean Carmona (recently re-signed after Orioles’ release) assigned to Low-A Carolina
• RHP Phili Silverio assigned to ACL Brewers Gold from ACL Brewers Blue
• RHP Delson Guzman placed on the 7-day injured list (Rookie League)
• RHP Rosmel Reyes placed on the 7-day injured list (Rookie League)

Game Action:

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Columbia 7, 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: Chourio has RBI Triple in 7-3 Loss

This game came down to which offense could come through late, as it was a 3-3 contest most of the way. Unfortunately, Columbia came through with the late four-run inning, eking out a victory in spite of being out-hit 10-6 by the Mudcats. The Mudcats left nine men on base vs. just three for Columbia, with Carolina going 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position vs. 3-for-5 for the Fireflies.

RHP Stiven Cruz was his usual solid self, allowing just three hits over five innings. An unfortunate third inning (two singles, a walk, hit-by-pitch and a steal of home) gave the Fireflies their three runs off of Cruz for a surprise 3-0 lead.

Carolina’s offense awoke in the 4th inning, with an Eduardo Garcia double, Jackson Chourio RBI triple and Jeferson Quero RBI single closing the gap to 3-2. Chourio then scored again in the 5th inning an a Hedbert Perez single to knot the game at 3-3.

LHP Karlos Morales took the tough luck loss, in spite of only conceding one run in nearly three innings of work.

Taking over for Morales with one-on and two-out in the 3-3 affair in the 8th inning, RHP Michele Vassalotti showed some apparent rust, having pitched just one inning over the past week. He walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a triple, thus letting the previously-tight contest get out of hand at 7-3.

Performances of Note:

• Zack Raabe – 3-5, double
• Eduardo Garcia – 2-5, double
• Jackson Chourio – 1-5, triple, RBI
• Jeferson Quero – 1-4, RBI
• Hedbert Perez – 1-4, RBI
• Jesus Chirinos – 1-3, walk
• Stiven Cruz – 5 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 Ks
• Karlos Morales (Loss) – 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks

Wednesday’s outlook: RHP Israel Puello is earmarked to start in the second game of the series, as Carolina looks to even it up 1-1.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 8, Great Lakes 6
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website: Two-Run Ninth Sends Wisconsin to Win at Great Lakes

As is typically the case when he’s on the mound, LHP Antoine Kelly was the big story for most of this game, striking out ten Loons over just five innings of work, which was in fact a massive turnaround after the first four Great Lakes' batters of the game reached base.

Kelly received solid offensive support in this contest, as Wisconsin jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on two first innings singles (Wes Clarke RBI), two walks (Joe Gray Jr. RBI) and a Loon error.

However, the opening Loon reached base via a wild pitch strikeout, which was followed by three singles to close the gap to 3-1, with the bases loaded and still nobody out. From there, Kelly and his defense hunkered down, with 3B Zavier Warren throwing out a runner at home and Mr. Kelly striking out the final two hitters.

A second inning Great Lakes homer brought the score to 3-2, before the Timber Rattlers opened it up via a Tyler Black bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead.

After five innings and 84 pitches, Kelly was relieved by normally-reliable RHP Joey Matulovich, who allowed all four batters to reach (single, double, two walks) before exiting for RHP James Meeker. Meeker did his best to limit the damage, getting a ground out and two strikeouts around a single, but unfortunately all three inherited runners scored (aided by a passed ball) to re-set the game at 6-6.

Meeker earned the victory with three innings of stellar work, walking none while conceding two singles, giving Wisconsin the chance to pull it out in the 9th inning. After a Micah Bello single, Tyler Black walk and two strikeouts, Ethan Murray came through with the lead-retaking single on a 2-2 pitch, before Wes Clarke was beaned to add an insurance run. 8-6 Wisconsin.

In his usual manner, Cam Robinson locked down the 9th inning in three-up, three-down fashion, earning his 14th save of 2022.

Performances of Note:

• Tyler Black – 2-4, triple, walk, 3 RBIs
• Wes Clarke – 1-4, HBP, 2 RBIs
• Ethan Murray – 1-4, walk, RBI
• Micah Bello – 1-3, walk
• Antoine Kelly – 5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 WP, 10 Ks
• James Meeker (Win) – 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks
• Cam Robinson (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K

Wednesday’s outlook: RHP Ryne Moore looks to extend Wisconsin’s series lead to 2-0, coming off a terrific last outing (7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 7 Ks). LHP Russell Smith could also use some work, after having his turn postponed on Sunday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Chattanooga 7, Biloxi 6
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Lookouts Sneak Past Shuckers 7-6

Biloxi showed quality resolve in this game, chipping away at deficits of 4-0 (first inning) and 6-3 (4th inning) to nearly snatch victory-from-defeat, although it was not to be this evening.

Starting LHP Brandon Knarr was unable to replicate last week superb AA debut, giving up four first inning singles and a triple to put the Shuckers in that early 4-0 hole.

After failing to capitalize on a bases-loaded, two-out opportunity in the second inning, a little Joey Wiemer defense in the 3rd inning (outfield assist, his 8th of the year) at least kept the game at 4-0.

Biloxi finally broke through with a three-run, four-hit fourth inning (Tristen Lutz double, Brent Diaz RBI single, Yeison Coca RBI single, Sal Frelick RBI single) to re-set the contest at 4-3.

Unfortunately, Chattanooga immediately responded in the bottom of half of the fourth inning via a double and two-run homer for a 6-3 lead, with Knarr exiting the game after just four innings of work.

The Shuckers kept at it, however, scoring via wild pitch and a Cam Devanney RBI double in the 5th inning for a 6-5 score, which continued into the 8th inning.

RHPs JT Hintzen and Kent Hasler kept Biloxi in the game, pitching three scoreless innings despite Hintzen allowing a single and two walks in the 6th inning, thus setting the stage for Wiemer to tie things up with an RBI double to score Noah Campbell (who ran for Diaz, who’d led off with a single) with two outs in the 8th inning.

Unfortunately, the Lookouts were on their game this night, again immediately responding by bringing home the game-winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning via a passed ball for a 7-6 lead. Hasler had allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with one out, with RHP Nash Walters then coming in to retire two of the three batters he faced.

Thomas Dillard’s two-out single in the 9th inning went for naught, so Biloxi just have to try their luck again tomorrow.

Performances of Note:

• Brent Diaz – 2-3, walk, RBI
• Tristen Lutz – 2-5, double
• Thomas Dillard – 2-4, walk
• Cam Devanney – 1-4, double, walk, RBI
• Joey Wiemer – 1-5, double, RBI
• Brandon Knarr – 4 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks
• JT Hintzen – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks
• Kent Hasler (Loss) – 1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks

Wednesday’s outlook: RHP Noah Zavolas (7.48 ERA in 21 2/3 innings), is scheduled to make his 6th start of 2022 tonight, hopefully rounding into form after missing the start of the season.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Memphis 7, Nashville 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Sounds Stifled in Series Opener at Memphis 

LHP Ethan Small has not yet settled back into his pre-MLB debut form, registering a 2nd straight rough start in AAA (or 3rd straight including that MLB debut), this time uncharacteristically giving up five earned runs in less than five innings of work.

Memphis grabbed the early 2-0 lead in the third inning on two singles, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, before the Sounds tied it back up 2-2 in the fifth inning on Pablo Reyes 6th AAA home run of 2022, scoring David Dahl (who’d singled).

However, the Redbirds’ Ali Sanchez smacked a two-on-, two-out, 3-1 pitch over the center field wall in the bottom of the 5th inning to restore Memphis’ lead, this time at 5-2. Memphis then added two more runs in the 6th inning off reliever Andy Otero, while Nashville posed minimal offensive threat until the 9th inning.

In the 9th, Mario Feliciano continued his good run of form at the plate, knocking in Abraham Almonte with a bases loaded, two-out single, thus bringing the potential game-tying run to the plate in the form of Weston Wilson. Not fooling around, the Redbirds went for the pitching change, bringing in RHP Zach McAllister, who got Wilson swinging on a 1-2 pitch to end it.

Performances of Note:

• David Dahl – 2-4
• Pablo Reyes – 1-4, HR, 2 RBIs
• Jon Singleton – 1-3, walk
• Mario Feliciano – 1-4, RBI
• Ethan Small (Loss) – 4 2/3 IP, 5 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 2 WP, 4 Ks
• Hobie Harris – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 WP, 1 K
• Luke Barker – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K

Wednesday’s outlook: RHP Tyler Herb (3.00 ERA in 51 combined innings across AA and AAA) is scheduled to take the mound in the second game of the series, which will be his 5th appearance since his recent promotion to the Sounds.

Arizona Complex League
Final: ACL Guardians 10, ACL Brewers Blue 3
Box Score / Game Log

The ACL Blue squad started well, with a Jonatan Guzman double and Jace Avina two-run homer (2nd of the year) giving them a 2-0 first inning lead. However, starting RHP Jesus Rivero ran into trouble in the 3rd inning, with a hit-by-pitch, walk, infield single and then a double knotting up the game at 2-2.

RHP Raul Mendoza then entered in relief for his state-side debut, with the bases loaded and two outs, struggling with a bases loaded walk, run-scoring passed ball and then a run-scoring single for a 5-2 deficit.

The Blue squad did put two men on in each of the fifth and sixth innings, but only brought one run home to temporarily make it a 5-3 game, before Cleveland blew open the game with five runs in the sixth and seventh innings, dropping Blue’s record to 1-6 on the young season.

Performances of Note:

• Jace Avina – 2-3, HR, HBP, 2 RBIs
• Beyker Pastran – 2-4
• Jonatan Guzman – 1-5, double, RBI
• Ney Serrano – 1-2, 2 walks
• Quinton Low – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks

Final: ACL Brewers Gold 4, ACL Cubs 2
Box Score / Game Log

The Gold team notched its 6th victory in seven contests, jumping out to a four-run lead and riding strong pitching to keep the Cubs at bay.

It’s always fun to score without getting a hit, right? Well, that’s how Gold opened the game, with a Branlyn Jaraba (first appearance of 2022, though he exited after five innings) sacrifice fly bringing in Gregory Barrios for the early 1-0 lead. The second inning was a bit more of the same (two walks and a wild pitch), but more importantly included an RBI single by Diego Larez and two-run single by the impressive Luis Castillo (1.335 OPS through 29 plate appearances) to increase the gap to 4-0.

On the mound, RHP Yerlin Rodriguez was solid in his 2nd start of 2022, once again covering five innings, only having difficulty when the first three batters reached base (walk, double, single for two runs) in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Cubs consistently put men on base in the remaining innings, but were unable to convert against the bullpen of Trevor Tietz and Fray Morelo, ultimately going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position for the game.

Performances of Note:

• Jason Ollarve – 2-3, HBP
• Luis Castillo – 1-4, 2 RBIs
• Diego Larez – 1-3, RBI
• Yerlin Rodriguez (Win) – 5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks
• Trevor Tietz – 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K
• Fray Morelo (Save) – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks

Dominican Summer League
Final: DSL Phillies White 7, DSL Brewers #1 Squad 1
Box Score / Game Log

The #1 Team, now with a 1-6 record, is not living up to its "#1" moniker, managing only two hits in this game.

They actually led 1-0 on an RBI double from 18-year-old RF Duncan Garcia, but even that run was unearned due to a Phillie error. Then, after the double, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, a pop out and ground out ended the inning.

17-year-old 6'3" switch-hitting SS/3B Jhonny Severino ($1.23 million out of the Dominican Republic) is off to a mixed start, 4-for-19, .211/.423/.211, six walks, ten K's. He was the designated hitter in this one.

The four Brewers arms combined to walk eight, with each contributing to that total. No debuts, with some "2nd professional outings" here.

Performances of Note:

• Duncan Garcia – 1-4, double, RBI
• Osbriel Mogollon – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Final: DSL Brewers #2 Squad 5, DSL Tigers #1 Squad 4
Box Score / Game Log

DSL Crew #2 upped their record to 3-4 with this walk-off win.

OK, so it was a balk-off win, but the young men still bounced joyfully into the afternoon.

Down 4-3 entering the bottom of the 9th, a leadoff walk by 8th place hitter 17-year-old Venezuelan first baseman Edgardo Reyes was followed by a line drive RBI double from 18-year-old Panamanian OF Irving Igualas who was the DH for this game. That was Igualas' second double Tuesday. After a groundout and intentional walk, the balk by the Tigers pitcher ended things,

Did we mention the Brewers were successful on all seven stolen base attempts? 17-year-old switch-hitting Dominican CF Reminton Batista swiped three and is now 5-for-6 in attempts.

Speaking of seven, did we mention the Brewers won despite committing seven errors? Rough day for the $1.385 million top-bonus prospect Johan Barrios, the 6'3" Venezuelan native who has thus far split time between shortstop and third base. Four errors in this game while manning the hot corner, three fielding, one throwing, all by the end of the 4th inning. He was lifted after the 5th inning. Overall, Barrios has committed eight errors in seven games, the other four coming while at shortstop. Give it time.

Two singles for 18-year-old 2nd year LF Yeison Perez, and the Venezuelan saw his OPS actually fall to 1.336, that's how hot he's been with five of his previous six hits going for extra bases.

None of the four runs Crew pitchers allowed were earned, as one might imagine. A combined nine strikeouts vs. two walks for the trio.

Performances of Note:

• Irving Igualas – 2-4, 2 doubles, RBI, SB
• Reminton Batista – 2-4, walk, 3 SBs
• Yeison Perez – 2-4, SB
• Jamal Zalm – 2-5
• Edgardo Reyes – 1-3, walk, RBI
• Juan Baez – 1-3, SF, RBI
• Anfernny Reyes – 5 IP, 4 R (0 ER), 6 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks
• David Dominguez – 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks
• Waldin Rodriguez (Win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck to all players today! Note that Carolina and Biloxi have early matinees Wednesday, while the rookie level clubs are idle.

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