Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/9): Six Wins and Four Losses, Including a Mudcat Sweep of the Cubs

Step-up performances by starting pitchers Stiven Cruz, Edwin Jimenez, Ryne Moore and Jared Albir helped lead the Brewers’ minor league affiliates to four of their six victories on the night.

Jackson Chourio’s hitting and on-base streaks were a casualty of a shortened seven-inning game, so he responded by nearly hitting for the cycle in a 3-for-3 second game (single, homer, triple).

In Biloxi, Joey Wiemer did a little bit of everything, showing reaching base four times and stealing three bases, before being picked off base for the second last out of their frustrating 10-9 loss.

Game Balls for this Thursday night go to Moore, Chourio, Jimenez, Wiemer and David Dahl.

Transactions:

• Signed INF Jean Carmona and assigned to DSL Brewers1
• Placed RHP Thomas Jankins on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list

Game Action:

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Carolina 3, Myrtle Beach 2
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Carolina 2, Myrtle Beach 1
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: Mudcats Sweep Pelicans in Thursday’s Doubleheader

The 2022 Carolina Mudcats continue to prove their mettle, coming back from a tough loss on Wednesday night to sweep Thursday’s doubleheader against a tough Myrtle Beach squad.

In the opener, Carolina grabbed an early 3-0 lead via RBI singles from Jeferson Quero and Hedbert Perez in the first inning, then Jose Sibrian doubling in the second inning and scoring on a balk.

On the mound, RHP Stiven Cruz was his usual strong self, escaping a first inning two-on, one-out situation (shallow fly out, ground out) and only conceding a two-run homer in the 3rd inning to tighten the contest.

Credit to RHP Brannon Jordan for a clean 6th inning (ground out, two Ks) and LHP Karlos Morales for locking down the save in spite of two two-out singles in the final inning.

Unfortunately, Jackson Chourio’s streaks (13 hitting, 21 on-base) had to end in the short seven-inning Game One affair, but it turned out he was simply saving his heroics for Game Two.

In the second game, RHP Edwin Jimenez had his best performance of the year, throwing five shutout innings and only allowing three hitters to reach base (two singles, a hit batsman, zero walks).

As for Chourio, he nearly hit for the cycle in leading the Mudcat offense:

• First inning single
• Fourth inning solo homer to give Carolina a 1-0 lead
• Sixth inning triple

The Mudcats added a necessary insurance run in the 4th inning, thanks to some serious hustle and a little help from the Pelicans: Jeferson Quero walked, stole second and scored on a throwing error.

RHP Israel Puello pitched a clean 6th inning in relief, before conceding a run in the final inning on two walks and a single, thankfully retiring the final batter on a first-pitch fly out to right field.

Performances of Note (Game One):

• Hendry Mendez – 2-3
• Jeferson Quero – 1-3, RBI
• Jose Sibrian – 1-3, double
• Eduardo Garcia – 1-3, SB
• Stiven Cruz (Win) – 5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks
• Brannon Jordan – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• Karlos Morales (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks

Performances of Note (Game Two):

• Jackson Chourio – 3-3, HR, triple, RBI
• Jeferson Quero – 1-2, walk, SB
• Edwin Jimenez (Win) – 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks
• Israel Puello (Save) – 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 balk, 3 Ks

Friday’s outlook: Carolina now leads the series 2-1 and will throw its best at the opposition today in RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (3.90 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 12.0 K/9 in 32 1/3 innings).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 3, Beloit 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Get Moore in 3-1 Win at Beloit

After struggling through his first four starts since promotion to High-A, RHP Ryne Moore finally gave Wisconsin what they were expecting. And More! Coming off two losses in Beloit, with the offense struggling of recent, Moore dazzled with seven innings of two-hit, seven-K ball.

Of course, it likely helped that the Timber Rattlers brought in three runs in the 2nd inning on an Ethan Murray homer (4th of the year) and RBI doubles by Jose Acosta (the new guy keeps contributing!) and Tristan Peters (10th double of the year).

Beloit grabbed a run in the 7th inning to close the gap to 3-1, before hitting a one-out triple off RHP Joey Matulovich in the 8th inning to bring the potential game-tying run to the plate. Matulovich ably escaped that threat (shallow fly out, strike out), before handing over to ace closer RHP Cam Robinson. Robinson struck out three of four hitters to earn his 12th save of the season.

Performances of Note:

• Ethan Murray – 1-4, HR, RBI
• Tristan Peters – 1-2, double, 2 walks, RBI
• Jose Acosta – 1-3, double, walk, RBI
• Wes Clarke – 1-3, double, walk
• Joe Gray Jr. – 1-4, SB
• Ryne Moore (Win) – 7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 7 Ks
• Joey Matulovich – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• Cam Robinson (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks

Friday’s outlook: Wisconsin seeks a win today to knot the series at 2-2, though the starting pitcher is not yet known after LHP Brandon Knarr’s recent promotion.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Tennessee 10, Biloxi 9
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Wild Back-And-Forth Affair Ends In 10-9 Smokies Victory Over Biloxi

There were lots of fireworks in Biloxi, with the teams combining for 19 runs on 22 hits, whilst leaving 20 men-on-base. Unfortunately, these kinds of games tend to come down to which bullpen is able to eventually stop the bleeding and that’s not exactly been the Shuckers’ strength of late.

Despite falling behind 3-0 in the first inning as the Smokies tallied three hits and two walks against starting RHP Noah Zavolas, the Shuckers grabbed leads of 4-3 (fourth inning) and 7-4 (sixth inning) through a hitting barrage, highlighted by a Sal Frelick solo homer (2nd in Biloxi), Tristen Lutz RBI single, Joey Wiemer RBI single and Jakson Reetz two-run double.

However, the game went awry in the 7th inning, as RHP Taylor Floyd could not find the zone, walking three batters, beaning one and ultimately being charged with four earned runs in spite of not conceding a hit. RHP Nash Walters entered, but was not able to stem the tide, throwing a run-scoring wild pitch and then giving up a three-run homer for a 9-7 deficit.

The Shuckers didn’t give up, with 1B Thomas Dillard doubling home two runners in the bottom half of the 7th inning to tie it back up 9-9.

However, Tennessee put the first three batters on base in the top of the 9th inning against RHP Robbie Hitt, who ultimately did well to limit them to one run. Wiemer tried to spark a final rally with a one-out single in the 9th inning, but was unfortunately picked off, as he was itching for his 4th stolen base on the game. Wiemer argued his case, but was ejected from the 10-9 defeat.

Performances of Note:

• Sal Frelick – 3-6, HR, double, RBI
• Joey Wiemer – 3-5, double, walk, RBI, 3 SBs
• Cam Devanney – 2-3, 2 walks, SB
• Jakson Reetz – 1-4, double, walk, 3 RBIs
• Thomas Dillard – 1-4, double, 2 walks, 2 RBIs, SB
• Tristen Lutz – 1-3, walk, sac fly, 2 RBIs
• Jason Lopez – 1-4, double, walk
• Noah Zavolas – 6 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 Ks
• Robbie Hitt (Loss) – 2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K

Friday’s outlook: Biloxi trails their series 2-1 and RHP Carlos Luna (4.42 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 36 1/3 innings) is scheduled to make his 6th start (11th appearance) as they strive to tie it up.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Norfolk 5, Nashville 4
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Norfolk 5, Nashville 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Sounds Swept by Norfolk in Doubleheader

Nashville’s recent struggles continued in two close losses at home to Norfolk, with RHP Josh Lindblom having his 3rd straight difficult start, conceding three runs on two homers (including one to old friend Jacob Nottingham) in the first inning of the opener.

To his credit, Lindblom settled in to cover five innings, yielding only one more run to exit with a 4-3 deficit.

Jonathan Davis and David Dahl did everything in their power to bring the Sounds back into the game, each homering, doubling and driving in a combined four runs.

However, with Davis representing the tying run on 3rd base with one out in the 9th inning, Nashville was unable to bring him home.

The second Sounds-Tides game of the day was essentially a repeat of the first, with Norfolk jumping out to a 5-2 lead by the 4th inning, though this time keeping the ball in the park with seven hits against RHP Tyler Herb, who completed the initial five innings.

Unfortunately, there was no stirring comeback for Nashville from there, registering no hits over the final three innings of the Game Two loss.

Notably, RHP Lucas Erceg made his AAA debut in the 7th inning, hitting triple digits on the radar gun as he struck out three Tides’ batters.

Reminder: Don’t test Brice Turang’s arm:

Another defensive gem here:

Performances of Note (Game One):

• Jonathan Davis – 2-4, HR, double, 2 RBIs
• David Dahl – 2-3, HR, double, 2 RBIs
• Jon Singleton – 1-3, double, walk
• Corey Ray – 1-3, double
• Brice Turang – 1-4, SB
• Mario Feliciano – 1-3
• Josh Lindblom (Loss) – 5 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 BBs, 1 HBP, 5 Ks
• Peter Strzelecki – 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks

Performances of Note (Game Two):

• Garrett Whitley – 1-3, double, RBI
• Brian Navarreto – 1-3, RBI
• David Dahl – 1-3
• Tyler Herb (Loss) – 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks
• Hobie Harris – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks
• Lucas Erceg – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks

Friday’s outlook: Nashville trails 3-0 in this week’s series and turns to RHP Caleb Boushley (3.53 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 58 2/3 innings) to start the fourth game today.

Final: ACL Brewers Blue 7, ACL Cubs 3
Box Score / Game Log

Brewers Blue notched its first win of 2022, coming back from an 8th inning deficit of 3-1 to score the six runs of the game. RHPs Jared Albir and Samuel Dario kept their team in the game by striking out nine batters over 7 1/3 innings, giving up only one run and four hits. To his credit, Albir also picked off two baserunners. The team took its first lead on a wild pitch in the 9th inning, then added three more runs on balks in the same inning.

Performances of Note:

• Daniel Guilarte – 2-5, double, RBI
• Jace Avina – 2-5, HR, RBI
• Jared Albir – 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 balk, 4 Ks
• Samuel Dario (Win) – 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks

Final: ACL Brewers Gold 5, ACL Reds 3
Box Score / Game Log

The ACL Gold squad remain unbeaten (3-0), using long balls by Jesus Parra (three-run homer to take a 3-2 lead) and Luis Castillo (solo shot), while the pitchers worked around traffic throughout the shortened seven-inning contest. The Reds stranded nine runners, while Brewers Gold only stranded one. Brewers’ 12-round draft pick, 18-year old 6’6” left handed Caden Vire made his organizational debut, starting and covering 2 1/3 innings while striking out two batters.

Performances of Note:

• Luis Castillo – 2-3, HR, RBI
• Jesus Parra – 1-3, HR, 3 RBIs

Final: DSL Brewers2 12, DSL Rangers Red 10
Box Score / Game Log

The Brewers2 squad registered double-digit hits for the third straight game, this time brushing off deficits of 6-0 (3rd inning) and 9-4 (6th inning) to storm back for a 12-10 win. 1B/OF Yeison Perez (18-year old left-handed hitter) smacked 2 home runs, including the game-winning 3-run shot with 2 outs in the 6th inning to give the team their first lead at 12-9.

Performances of Note: 

• Reminton Batista – 3-5, double, RBI, SB
• Yeison Perez – 2-5, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs
• Jamal Zalm – 2-4, double, BB, 2 RBIs
• Eric Martinez – 2-4, triple, double

Final: DSL Phillies White 6, DSL Brewers1 5
Box Score / Game Log

Brewers1 outhit Phillies White 8-to-4, but the opposition actually had more traffic on the bases due to walks, hit-by-pitches and errors. 17-year old $1.1 million signee OF Luis Lara looks the part thus far – 5-for-12, hitting safely in all three games.

Performances of Note:  

• Luis Lara – 2-4, triple
• Edgardo Ordonez – 2-4, double
• Gery Holguin – 1-4, HR, 2 RBIs

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck tonight, Brewers’ affiliates!

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