Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/4): Nashville and Carolina Open Up Tight Games Late in Victories

Thursday’s Game Balls go to Jesus Chirinos, Edwin Jimenez, Dylan File, Zavier Warren, and Jon Singleton, with apologies to Corey Ray.

Transactions:

• C Mario Feliciano recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville (replacing injured C Omar Narvaez)
• C Jakson Reetz had his contract selected by MLB Brewers and was optioned to AAA Nashville
• OF Corey Ray assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville
• RHP Luke Barker released (he’d recently been DFA’d and will undergo Tommy John surgery)
• RHP Mason Vinyard has been signed as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky University.  Per @ARobsBrewCrew – “6’2” 210 lb. relief pitcher that showcased exceptional strikeout stuff this year”

Game Action:
Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 6, Norfolk 2 • 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 Stifle Tides, Take Third Straight

RHP Dylan File (6 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks) put in his best start in weeks, and 1B Jon Singleton (2-for-4, double, walk, 2 RBIs) powered the Nashville offense as the Sounds continued their winning ways.

Six errors by the Tides, including two in the first inning, helped Nashville’s cause. A Singleton double and 3B Pablo Reyes (1-for-4, RBI) sacrifice fly staked File to a 3-0 first inning lead.

Most of the way, the game was 3-2 until the Sounds tacked on three runs on five hits and two Tides’ errors in the 9th inning.

Three Quick Strikes:

• The bullpen of Jake Cousins, Luis Perdomo, and Trevor Kelley (combined 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) pitched three shutout innings to remind Brewers’ brass perhaps that there are some solid bullpen options just a level away.
• Sal Frelick (2-for-4, double, walk) continues to bat leadoff and mash, with a .467 average and 1.129 OPS in his small AAA sample.
• Esteury Ruiz only managed a 1-for-5 day, but nearly every at-bat was excellent as he had an RBI double and did not strike out.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Mississippi 9, Biloxi 4 • Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: M-Braves Big Inning Downs Shuckers In 9-4 Defeat

Starting LHP Brandon Knarr (4 2/3 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 5 BB, 2 Ks) struggled in this one, as a 2-0 deficit ballooned to 7-0 in the 5th inning.

However, the Shuckers rallied to cut the deficit to 7-4, including a solo homer by Biloxi returnee OF Corey Ray (3-for-5, HR, double, RBI) and a 2-run triple by OF Garrett Whitley (1-for-4, triple, walk, 2 RBIs) but could get no closer.

Three Quick Strikes:

• The Shuckers made the Braves sweat in the 8th inning, plating three runs and loading the bases for DH Brock Holt. Down 7-4 and representing the potential game-winning run, Holt battled the Braves’ reliever in a 13-pitch at-bat, which unfortunately ended with a fly out
• Major leaguer JC Mejia faced just two batters (throwing eight pitches) in his first rehab outing, getting a fly out and a strike out to strand an inherited runner in the 6th inning
• SS Andruw Monasterio (2-for-3, walk, hit-by-pitch) and RHP Kent Hasler (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) also had notable contributions

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 6 • Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, details: Bandits Beat Rattlers 9-6

Some early bad luck saw Wisconsin starting RHP Justin Jarvis pulled after 36 pitches, two outs, and two unearned runs in the 1st inning, with the River Bandits then feasting on a Wisconsin bullpen, suddenly put into action.

RHP Joey Matulovich (2 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks) bore the brunt of the pain, unfortunately, while RHP Brady Schanuel (3 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) put in an effective shift.

The game was 8-2 by the 3rd inning, though the Timber Rattlers battled back to 8-5 by the 5th inning, with OF Jackson Chourio (1-for-3, double, 2 walks) and 3B Zavier Warren (2-for-4, HR, double, walk, 2 RBIs) both doubling in the inning.

The Timber Rattlers’ last great chance came with two-on and two-out in the top of the 7th inning, down 9-6. However, newcomer OF Reidy Mercado grounded out to end the opportunity.

Three Quick Strikes:

• Hopefully, Jarvis has no injury concern, and the early hook was simply a conservative move. He didn’t allow a single ball to the outfield to his credit, inducing four infield grounders, striking out one batter, and conceding two walks.
• Leadoff batter OF Joe Gray Jr. hit the first pitch of the game over the wall for an early 1-0 lead, his 13th homer of 2022, but he also struck out four times.
• It’s uncertain whether Wisconsin manager Joe Ayrault had any bench bats available, as Wes Clarke, Ethan Murray, and Ashton McGee have not played for several days. This is something to keep a close watch on.

Carolina Pre-Game Notes
Final: Carolina 7, Kannapolis 4 • Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Chirinos Homers Twice & Jimenez Totals 10 Ks in 7-4 Win

Like the Nashville game above, the Mudcats mostly led a tight game (5-3 from the third inning) before tacking on additional runs late.

1B Jesus Chirinos (3-for-4, 2 HR, double, 4 RBIs) provided most of the offense in perhaps his best game of the year, hitting a 2-run shot for a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning and another 2-run shot in the 2nd inning to stretch the advantage to 5-0.

Starting RHP Edwin Jimenez (5 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 Ks), along with LHP Leoni De La Cruz and RHP Junior Montero (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks), were all excellent, as they combined to strike out 17 Kannapolis batters in the contest.

Three Quick Strikes:

• SS Eduardo Garcia (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) also had a solid game as he positions himself for a possible late-season promotion to High-A
• This was 24-year-old De La Cruz’s (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 WP, 3 Ks) debut at a full season level.
• We’ve no information on any specific injury, but C Jeferson Quero has missed the past week of action. Ideally, he should be making his way to High-A Wisconsin soon, especially if 4th-round draft pick Matthew Wood will be coming to Carolina after an initial Arizona stint. Carolina’s been making it work behind the plate with the veteran Jose Sibrian and young Jesus Garcia, though Garcia had two errors in this game (both for catcher interference).

ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE

Final: ACL Athletics 12, ACL Brewers Blue 2 • Box Score / Game Log

Undrafted starting RHP Nick Merkel made his organizational debut, giving up no runs, one hit, and one walk in one inning of work, while usual long man RHP Jared Albir wore this one (2 IP, 10 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 WP, 4 Ks).

OF Jace Avina (1-for-3, 2 walks) reached base three times, and young 9th-round pick Tayden Hall (2-for-4) singled twice as the offense’s minor highlights.

Final: ACL Brewers Gold 8, ACL Guardians 5 • Box Score / Game Log

RHP Gerson Calzadilla (6 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 1 WP, 5 Ks) put in an excellent start to lower his season ERA to 3.29, and ACL Gold held on from there.

LHP Jakob Brustoski’s (2/3 IP, 4 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 1 K) struggles continue.

The Gold Men only managed four hits, aided by five Guardian errors. First-round pick SS Eric Brown Jr. (1-for-3, double, 2 walks, RBI, SB) reached base three times to lead the offense.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE

Final: DSL Phillies White 7, DSL Brewers1 6 • Box Score / Game Log

DSL Brewers 1 trailed 6-0, and 7-2 before a 4-run rally in the final inning fell just short with the bases left stranded.

Starting LHP Wande Torres (4 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 4 BB, 6 Ks) was solid for the second consecutive time after his surprise selection for the DSL all-star game.

OF Duncan Garcia (1-for-3, double, walk, RBI, SB) and young INF Gery Holguin (2-for-4, double) provided an offensive spark. That’s Garcia’s 18th stolen base of 2022, and he lifted his season OPS to .758.

Final: DSL Brewers2 6, DSL Tigers2 0 (final in 7 innings) • Box Score / Game Log

Starting pitcher RHP Jerel Vizcaino (6 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) continues to impress, dominating in this game to lower his season ERA to 1.59.

Super signing 3B Johan Barrios (2-for-3; season OPS .768) is hitting well again after a recent return from injury, while OF/1B Yeison Perez (1-for-3, double; season OPS 1.071) continues his torrid pace.

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

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