Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/28): Nashville and Biloxi Grab Late Victories

Jason Alexander shut out Charlotte over five innings, as Nashville defeated Charlotte 3-1.

Nick Bennett put in his second straight terrific performance, striking out eight in Biloxi’s 6-1 victory over Montgomery, while Garrett Mitchell hit the tie-breaking 8th inning homer.

Wes Clarke reached base in all four of his plate appearances, but Wisconsin went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position in their 6-2 loss to Cedar Rapids.

Carolina’s offense was largely absent in Fayetteville, as the Mudcats fell behind 4-0 and ultimately lost 5-1.

In short season action, the Brewers’ Dominican squads were both victorious, while ACL Blue was unlucky and ACL Gold got rained out.

Thursday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Alexander, Bennett, Mitchell and Clarke, as well as Thomas Dillard, with apologies to Tristen Lutz.

Transactions:

• Signed 17-year old RHP Saul Arias out of Puebla, Mexico
• RHP Luke Barker (elbow) placed on the "Full Season" injured list at AAA Nashville
• OF Micah Bello moved from the 7-day to the 60-day injured list at High-A Wisconsin (initial placement was June 20th)
• RHP Max Lazar moved from the 7-day to the 60-day injured list at High-A Wisconsin (initial placement was June 13th)

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 3, Charlotte 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Mitchell's Go-Ahead Blast Helps Shuckers To 6-1 Victory

RHP Jason Alexander’s (5 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks) first AAA start since a June 1st promotion to The Show went smoothly, as he induced weak contact over five scoreless innings.

22-year old SS Brice Turang (1-for-3, double, walk) and 23-year old C Mario Feliciano (2-for-4, double, RBI) opened the bottom of the 1st inning with a double and RBI single, respectively, as Nashville grabbed the early 1-0 lead.

After RHP Matt Hardy (2.05 season ERA in AA/AAA) pitched a clean 6th inning, RHP Luis Perdomo was surprisingly asked to make a second straight rehab appearance (his sixth since July 13th) after also throwing in Wednesday’s game.

Perdomo struggled a bit, giving up a tying run on a walk, single and RBI groundout before RHP Zack Brown (3.55 season ERA in AAA) entered to get the final out of the 7th inning. Perdomo was also assisted by a nice defensive play by 3B Patrick Dorrian.

Rehabbing RHP Justin Topa ran into similar trouble in the 8th inning (leadoff single and walk), but escaped unharmed through a fly out and ground ball double play, setting the stage for the Sounds’ offense to finally re-awaken.

A one-out double by DH Jon Singleton (.821 season OPS) and single by 2B Pablo Reyes (2-for-3, walk; .837 season OPS) had Nashville poised to grab the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, though it ultimately occurred in bizarre fashion, with a wild pitch walk scoring Singleton and a catcher throwing error also plating Reyes on the same play.

RHP Trevor Kelley (0.41 season ERA in AAA) reminded us that he’s also stellar, striking out the side swinging in the 9th inning for his fifth AAA save this year.

Friday’s outlook: Rehabbing RHP Freddy Peralta is scheduled to make his second rehab start in Nashville, as the Sounds aim for a fourth straight victory at home.

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

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Late Runs Lead Sounds Past Knights

Similar to the Sounds’ contest, Biloxi found itself knotted 1-1 entering the 8th inning on the back of terrific starting pitching from LHP Nick Bennett (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks).

Bennett actually exited down 1-0 on a 3rd inning homer, but 1B Thomas Dillard (2-for-3, HR, double, walk, RBI) doubled and scored on a C Brent Diaz single to tie the game in the 7th inning.

After RHPs Kent Hasler and Robbie Hitt pitched scoreless 7th and 8th innings, the Shucker offense erupted in the bottom of the 8th inning, with OF Garrett Mitchell (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) hitting the clutch 2-run homer to center field to take a 3-1 lead.

Mitchell’s blast was followed by a OF Tristen Lutz (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) two-run shot and then Dillard smacking a solo homer to swiftly give Biloxi a comfortable 6-1 lead.

25-year old (and presumably free agent-to-be) RHP Nash Walters pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, as he continues the best baseball of his career (zero earned runs over his last 16 games, with 26 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings during this stretch).

Friday’s outlook: LHP Brandon Knarr (2.63 season ERA in High-A/AA) is scheduled to start Friday’s game, as Biloxi looks to grab a 3-1 series lead at home against Montgomery.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Cedar Rapids 6, Wisconsin 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, details: Slow Start Dooms Rattlers

Also check out the game highlights put together by the Timber Rattlers’ exceptional media team: 

Knowing that Wisconsin came in with a 9-game losing streak, Cedar Rapids immediately jumped on the Timber Rattlers, scoring four runs on three hits and three walks in the 1st inning.

Starting RHP Israel Puello (4 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 6 BB, 5 Ks) had been promoted from Low-A Carolina in part on the strength of his 61K / 17 BB ratio, so his struggle for control in this game (his 5th start in High-A) was an aberration for him.

DH Wes Clarke (3-for-3, two doubles, walk, RBI) doubled in OF Jackson Chourio (1-for-5) in the bottom of the 1st inning, then SS Ethan Murray (1-for-3, double, walk) doubled and scored to tighten the contest at 4-2 in the 2nd inning.

However, Wisconsin stranded one runner in the 2nd inning and the bases loaded in the 3rd inning before the Kernals started padding their lead. For the game, the Timber Rattlers went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring positions, stranding 10 men on base.

RHPs Zach Mort (3 2/3 IP, 4 Ks) and James Meeker (1 IP, 2 Ks) were solid in relief, combining to pitch 4 2/3 innings without yielding any earned runs.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Antoine Kelly (3.41 ERA) is Friday’s scheduled starter per the Thursday Game Notes, but let’s play it by ear as he just threw 100 pitches in Sunday’s contest.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Fayetteville 5, Carolina 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Perez Homers in 5-1 Loss in Fayetteville

With Chourio promoted and Jeferson Quero getting a rest day, this game was a challenge for the Mudcat offense, which only managed three hits and three walks against 16 strikeouts.

The Woodpeckers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning against RHP Stiven Cruz on a hit-by-pitch and 2-run homer by OF Joey Loperfido.

The 23-year old Loperfido (c’mon Astros, promote the man) then bested Cruz again in the 5th inning with another 2-run blast.

OF Hedbert Perez hit a solo shot in the 7th inning for the Mudcats’ sole run, his 12th of the year, to briefly cut the gap to 4-1.

Perhaps the game’s biggest bright spot was the returns of LHP Karlos Morales (last pitched July 4th) and Brannon Jordan (last pitched July 3rd). Neither allowed an earned run in their one inning of work each. The Mudcats’ youngest pitcher 19-year old RHP Jeison Pena (2.83 season ERA in Rookie / Low-A) also pitched a scoreless inning.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Miguel Segura (4.70 ERA) is expected to be on the hill for Game 4 of the series, as Carolina tries to take a 3-1 series lead in Fayetteville.

ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE

Final: ACL Cubs 4, ACL Brewers Blue 3 (final in 7 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Some claim that it’s better to be lucky than good and the Cubs clearly subscribe to this mantra.

RHP Jared Albir (5 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 1 balk, 7 Ks) had dominated the ACL Cubs, allowing only an unearned run in the 1st inning.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue tied the game in the 3rd inning on a Daniel Guilarte (1-for-3, walk, RBI) single and grabbed a 3-1 lead in the 4th inning on a wild pitch and C Felipe Valderrama (1-for-2, HBP, RBI) single.

However, after our Blue Squad squandered a two-on, nobody out opportunity in the top of the 6th inning, the lucky Cubs used a walk and consecutive 2-out infield singles to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the 6th inning, then took the 4-3 lead on a triple.

OF Jace Avina (0-for-2) was plunked to start the game and then again to commence the 7th inning, leaving him stuck at 9 homers on the season and unable to take over this game.

Postponed (Rain): ACL Brewers Gold vs. ACL Reds
I assume they’ll make up this game via an August 9th doubleheader, but don’t quote me. Time will tell.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE

Final: DSL Brewers1 6, DSL Texas Red 1
Box Score / Game Log

17-year old LHP Wande Torres (5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 3 Ks) and 18-year old Dikember Sanchez (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) were both terrific in limiting Texas Red to one run over eight innings.

The Brewers1 squad grabbed its first lead on a 3B Jhonny Severino (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs) two-run homer in the 3rd inning, his second of the year.

OF Duncan Garcia (1-for-4, HR, RBI) extended the lead with solo shot in the 4th inning, also his second of the season.

OF Luis Lara (1-for-4, RBI, SB) also knocked in a run on an infield single in the 5th inning.

The Brewers1 team only managed to garner five hits, but made the most of them, along with five helpful errors by Texas Red. Zero errors for Brewers1 in nine innings is terrific to see at this level.

Final: DSL Brewers2 11, DSL Phillies White 3
Box Score / Game Log

20-year old RHP Jerel Vizcaino (5 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 1 WP, 4 Ks; season ERA 1.93) had another outstanding outing, while 18-year old David Dominguez (2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks) also had an encouraging performance.

18-year old 1B Yeison Perez (3-for-5, triple, double, walk, 4 RBIs) nearly hit for the cycle, opening scoring with an RBI triple in the 1st inning, extending the lead to 3-0 with an RBI double in the 3rd inning and plating two more runs for a 10-1 lead with a single to center field in the 5th inning. He also lined out (4th inning) and grounded out (7th inning). The Phillies walked him in his final opportunity to complete the cycle.

17-year old OF Reminton Batista (3-for-5, triple, walk, RBI) had his best game of the year, lifting his season batting average to .271 and season OPS to .689.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck on Friday to all teams!

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