Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/28): Carolina and Wisconsin Win, But Upper Levels Fall

Jackson Chourio was a welcome sight in the Wisconsin lineup and had just enough strength to plant a ball over the left field wall for a key 3-run blast, giving starting Carlos F. Rodriguez more runs than he could possibly need in a 5-2 win.

Carolina’s 5-2 victory was a true team effort, with three pitchers making their debut in full season ball and Jesus Chirinos delivering a key two-run double.

Joey Wiemer connected on his 20th homer of the year, Justin Jarvis had a strong AA debut in Biloxi and Nick Bennett kept the opposition scoreless for nearly five innings, but these efforts weren’t enough as Nashville and Biloxi lost three games on the day.

Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Rodriguez, Chourio, Jarvis, Bennett and Wiemer.

Transactions:

• RHP Caleb Boushley activated from AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list
• RHP Raul Mendoza released from ACL Brewers Gold
• After the game, @ARobsBrewCrew got the scoop that 1B Wes Clarke will be promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin, which would be a helpful addition to a depleted Shuckers’ roster

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Durham 4, Nashville 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: Sounds Come Up Short in Series Finale

With both teams struggling to connect with runners in scoring position (combined 0-for-13), this was a contest of which team could hit it out of the park more often (three for Durham, one for Nashville).

The Sounds welcomed RHP Caleb Boushley (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) back from a recent injury stint and he gave the team an excellent start with two scoreless innings before giving way to RHP Marcus Walden (4 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks).

OF Joey Wiemer (2-for-4, HR, double, RBI) continued his recent hot stretch, hitting his 5th home run in AAA ball and 20th of the season to give Nashville a 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th inning. However, the Bulls responded with a 2-run blast of their own in the bottom half, a solo shot in the 5th inning and a final solo jack in the 8th inning.

The Sounds were down 3-1 with two-on and two-out in the top of the 8th inning, but Wiemer couldn’t come through in his final at-bat (first pitch pop out into foul territory).

Despite the loss, Nashville won the series 4-2, although it’s first place lead over the Columbus Clippers was cut to 2.5 games.

Three Quick Strikes:

• Each team pulled off an amazing escape of working around a lead-off triple with no damage, with Walden doing it in the 3rd inning and Durham gunning down OF Matt Lipka (2-for-4, triple, SB) on a fly ball double play at home in the 7th inning.
• Other than the two long balls, Walden actually threw well, not yielding any walks. However, RHP JC Mejia’s recent funk continues, as he yielded the 8th inning homer and has now given up runs in three straight appearances.
• OF Esteury Ruiz (2-for-4, SB) extended his hitting streak to 17 consecutive games, although OF Sal Frelick’s unfortunately ended at 12 games. On the bright side, Frelick walked once and didn’t strikeout.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (74-48) returns home after a long road trip to take on Cardinals’ AAA affiliate Memphis (63-59). Expect veteran RHP Josh Lindblom (four runs and 23 strikeouts over last 17 innings pitched) to take the mound in the opening game, looking for his fourth consecutive victory.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Chattanooga 7, Biloxi 3 (in 7 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Biloxi Falls In Both Legs Of Doubleheader

With his AA debut about to go off the rails after yielding two 2nd innings runs and a leadoff triple to start the 3rd inning, 22-year old RHP Justin Jarvis (5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) buckled down to retire nine of the final ten batters he faced, ultimately exiting with the game still tied 2-2.

The nightcap saw an even more effective start from LHP Nick Bennett (4 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 WP, 6 Ks), who kept the Lookouts scoreless over nearly five innings of work.

Unfortunately, the Shuckers’ offense and bullpen weren’t up to par, as those 2-2 and 0-0 scorelines quickly went to the wayside once the starters exited.

After LHP Clayton Andrews ran into trouble in the top of the 6th inning (double, two walks), RHP Arnaldo Hernandez entered with the score tied 2-2, bases full and two outs, only to give up a grand slam to Mike Siani.

In the second game, Chattanooga scored all six runs in the top of the 6th inning, three off of RHP Robbie Hitt and three more off of RHP Carlos Luna.

The losses mean that the Lookouts took four wins out of five games against Biloxi for the week.

Three Quick Strikes:

• Though they only managed six hits over their 14 innings of work, the Shuckers’ offense wasn’t completely dormant, as C Jason Lopez came through with a 2-RBI infield single in the 2nd inning of Game One to knot things up at 2-2 for awhile. Birthday boy 1B Thomas Dillard (now 25 years old) also added a solo homer to briefly reduce the Game One deficit to 6-3.
• It’s rough when your 1-and-2 hitters (OF Corey Ray, SS Cam Devanney) go a combined 0-for-12 with six strikeouts, but that’s just how this Sunday went for the Shuckers.
• Manager Mike Guerrero’s frustration boiled over after two strikeouts in the bottom of the 2nd inning of Game Two, as he was ejected at that point.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (57-60) hits the road to face a strong Rocket City team (70-50 record for the Angels’ AA affiliate). Expect RHP TJ Shook (4.07 ERA in High-A/AA) to be the opening game starter.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, Lansing 2
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, details: Wisconsin Wins Series Finale from Lugnuts

As always, take some time to watch the video highlights put together by Wisconsin’s terrific media team: 

DH/OF Jackson Chourio (1-for-2, HR, HBP, 3 RBIs) was slated for only three at-bats in his return from injury, but he was of course essential to a much-needed Timber Rattler victory.

Chourio’s 3-run blast in the bottom of the third inning was his fifth in High-A ball and 17th of the year, giving starting RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks) a nice cushion up 4-0.

Of course, the dominant Rodriguez doesn’t require much run support, as he gave up just one run on three hits over six innings, striking out seven Lugnuts. His ERA in five High-A starts is now a terrific 1.78.

Things got dicey in the top of the 8th inning against RHP Jeison Pena, who conceded two singles, two walks and a lineout before exiting in favor of RHP Taylor Floyd with the game 4-2 and two runners on base. Pena was aided by C Jeferson Quero throwing out a runner stealing, then Floyd K’d the only batter he faced on four pitches. Quero (2-for-4, HR, RBI) also added a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning.

The win enabled Wisconsin to salvage a 2-4 series loss for the week.

Three Quick Strikes:

• RHP James Meeker (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) pitched a three-up, three-down 9th inning to earn his 12th save of the season, lowering his ERA to 2.70 in the process.
• 3B Ben Metzinger (1-for-3, HR, walk, RBI) got an opportunity to lead off in this game and made the most of it, hitting a 1st inning homer (his third of the year) to give the Timber Rattlers an early 1-0 lead.
• After an inexplicable brawl which saw two players ejected on Saturday night, I’m a bit surprised the umpires allowed Lansing reliever Jorge Juan (who yielded the Chourio homer in this one) to remain in the game after he plunked Chourio with the first pitch of his 5th inning plate appearance.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (61-58) will bus to play Cardinals’ affiliate Peoria (51-69). RHP Stiven Cruz (0.75 ERA in 12 High-A innings) is scheduled to make his third start for the Timber Rattlers.

Carolina Pre-Game Notes
Final: Carolina 5, Kannapolis 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Leave Kannapolis With Series Tying 5-2 Victory

In addition to starting RHP Max Lazar’s (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) return to full season affiliate ball, this game featured the Mudcat debut of RHPs Cameron Wagoner, Arielbi Gonzalez and Yerlin Rodriguez.

Wagoner (3 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks), selected in the 11th round of the 2022 draft, earned the victory with three shutout innings including an impressive seven strikeouts. The victory earned Carolina a 3-3 series split for the week.

Kannpolis took a similar approach to the game, with each of their first three pitchers making Low-A debuts, the last of which getting tagged for Carolina’s first three runs in the 4th and 5th innings, courtesy of a 2B Jadher Areinamo (1-for-3, HBP, RBI) run-scoring single and a clutch two-out, 2-RBI double from 1B Jesus Chirinos (2-for-4, double, walk, 2 RBIs).

C Alex Hall (1-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) extended the lead to a comfortable 5-0 with a two-run shot in the top of the 6th inning.

After giving up a two-run homer to tighten the game at 5-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning, Gonzalez (3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) buckled down to retire the final five batters he faced.

It was a mild surprise when Rodriguez got the promotion to Low-A earlier ball in the week, but a look at his game log tells you he’s been effective since a move to the bullpen. His shutout 9th inning earned him a save and keeps him scoreless in 6 2/3 innings (five games) since the shift to full-time relief work.

Three Quick Strikes:

• 3B Branlyn Jaraba (2-for-3, double, HBP, RBI) is justifying his own early-August promotion to the Mudcats, lifting his Carolina average to .306 with an .870 OPS.
• Yes, a combined 29 strikeouts (14 for Cannon Baller hitters, 15 for Mudcat batters) is now a normal part of baseball at all levels. Being out-hit nine to seven wasn’t a problem for the Mudcats, as Carolina drew more walks (six vs. two) and hit-by-pitches (two vs. zero), whilst going 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position (vs. 1-for-6 for Kannapolis).
• Unfortunately, we’ve no explanation for the five-game absence of 2022 first round selection SS Eric Brown Jr. Let’s hope it’s short-term in nature and we see him return to action on Tuesday.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (64-56) returns home to face Royals’ Low-A affiliate Columbia (48-71). Expect RHP Fernando Olguin (5.68 ERA) to start Game One, trying to put a rough last appearance behind him.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. All eyes will need to be on the Big Club on Monday, as the minor leaguers have a travel day.

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