Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/4): Feliciano’s Slam and Olguin’s Zeroes Lead to Two Wins

Mario Feliciano drove in seven runs, including breaking a 3-3 deadlock with a grand slam to lead the Sounds to a 12-4 victory in Memphis.

On the mound, Fernando Olguin threw six shutout innings, while getting support from homers by Jace Avina and Eduarqui Fernandez who combined to drive in five runs in a 6-0 defeat of Columbia.

Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Feliciano, Olguin, Singleton, Avina and Fernandez

Transactions:

• RHP Nash Walters traded to MLB Angels from AAA Nashville for cash considerations
• 1B Ernesto Martinez activated from High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list

Game Action:
Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 12, Memphis 4
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: Feliciano Tallies 7 RBI, Sounds Crush Memphis

C Mario Feliciano (2-for-5, HR, 7 RBIs) had an answer for everything Memphis threw at the Sounds on Sunday, knocking in two runs with a 1st inning single to tie the game 2-2, gunning down the Redbirds’ only stolen base attempt in the 5th inning, then blasting a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the 5th inning to break a 3-3 deadlock.

If not for Feliciano, we’d likely be talking about 1B Jon Singleton (1-for-3, HR, 2 walks, 3 RBIs), who apparently terrified Memphis to such a degree that they walked him twice with the bases loaded, the first tying the game 3-3 in the 5th inning and the latter extending Nashville’s lead to 9-3 in the 6th inning. Of course, their fear was justified, as Singleton then mashed a solo homer in the 8th inning, his 23rd of the season to go along with 102 walks.

The victory completed a 5-1 week for the Sounds, who lead the International League’s West Division by 4.5 games over Columbus. The team is now an incredible 30 games over .500 on the season.

Three Quick Strikes:

• With RHP Dylan File apparently injured (though no official word) and RHP Caleb Boushley easing his way back after an injury of his own, Sunday had a “bullpen game” feel to it: Three innings from Boushley (2 ER), one from RHP Lucas Erceg (1 ER), two from RHP Jake Cousins (3 hits, no runs), then one inning each from RHPs Zach Brown, JC Mejia and Cam Robinson .
• DH Pedro Severino (2-for-4, HR, double, walk, RBI) and OF Sal Frelick (2-for-4, walk, SB) each reached base three times in Nashville’s dominant victory.
• Still just 23 years of age and hitting .293 on the season, the Brewers had better make a permanent place on the MLB roster for Feliciano in 2023 or else they’ll end up burning his final remaining option year.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (79-49) heads to Charlotte (50-79) to play the White Sox’s AAA affiliate. Veteran RHP Josh Lindblom (4.64 ERA) is scheduled to be the starter for the first game of the series.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Rocket City 5, Biloxi 1
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Drop Series Finale

After being no-hit on Saturday, the good news is that Biloxi collected seven hits on this day and even scored a run. Of course, the run was scored while already down 5-0, while the team went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and also committed two errors which led to three unearned runs.

Yeah, it’s a rough time in Biloxi at the moment, as they’re really struggling to adapt after losing seven of their top 11 offensive contributors (five to promotion, two to injury). The loss completes a 1-5 week against Rocket City, despite the Shuckers’ starting pitchers only conceding 18 earned runs over the six games.

A walk and RBI double opened the scoring for the Trash Pandas against starting LHP Nick Bennett in the 3rd inning, but the real damage came in the 4th inning, when C Brent Diaz dropped an out at home plate to extend Rocket City’s lead to 2-0, which was followed by an RBI single, “sacrifice squeeze” and another RBI single.

SS Cam Devanney (1-for-4, HR, RBI) smacked his 20th home run of the year in the 6th inning to cut the deficit to 5-1, then the Shuckers loaded the bases with two outs in the 8th inning but 3B Yeison Coca wasn’t able to come through in the clutch (first pitch grounder force out).

Three Quick Strikes:

• This was Bennett’s (5 IP, 5 R (2 ER), 7 H, 3 BB, 1 WP, 3 Ks) second start of the week, but this one was more difficult as he dealt with traffic every inning.
• Rehabbing LHP Clayton Andrews (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) had a nice bounce-back effort, combining with RHPs Ryan Middendorf and Luis Contreras on three innings of scoreless relief to give the Shuckers a chance.
• Perhaps adding injury to insult, Diaz was hit by a pitch in the top of the 6th inning and exited the game in the bottom half of the frame.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (58-65) hosts Braves’ AA affiliate Mississippi (57-67). Expect RHP TJ Shook (4.25 ERA in High-A/AA) to start the opener.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Peoria 4, Wisconsin 3
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, details: Seventh Inning Decisive in Peoria’s Win Over Wisconsin

With Saturday’s victory, Wisconsin had already wrapped up a road series win, then grabbed a 1-0 lead early on Sunday, but a pivotal 7th inning went the way of the Chiefs.

DH/C Jeferson Quero (2-for-4, double, RBI) knocked in OF Jackson Chourio (0-for-3, walk) with an RBI double in the 1st inning, while RHP Stiven Cruz (3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) went about lowering his High-A ERA to a miniscule 0.47 with three shutout innings of work.

However, being his second start of the week, this was a short outing for Cruz, who made way for RHP

Zach Mort (3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K). Mort gave up four hits in the 4th inning (but just one run) before settling down.

A Peoria error and OF/2B Zack Raabe walk to open the 7th inning gave Wisconsin a golden opportunity, but they were unable to cash in, even after a C Darrien Miller infield single with two outs to load the bases.

Peoria then made the Timber Rattlers pay in the bottom half of the frame by scoring three runs off of RHP Brannon Jordan on two hits, a hit batsmen and an error on 3B Ben Metzinger to take a 4-1 lead.

Three Quick Strikes:

• After RHP
• Miguel Guerrero pitched a scoreless 8th inning, Wisconsin grabbed two runs in the 9th inning on a SS Eduardo Garcia walk and 2B Ethan Murray (1-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) two-run homer, but unfortunately didn’t get another runner aboard.
• This game marked the injury return of 1B Ernesto Martinez
• , who doubled to lead off the 4th inning but was left stranded.
• Despite playing two infielders in the outfield (Raabe, Jose Acosta), the Timber Rattlers defense had been a solid plus until the 7th inning gaffe, completing ground ball double plays in the 1st and 3rd innings, while Acosta threw out a runner at second base from right field in the 4th inning to help out Mort.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (65-60) hosts Marlins’ High-A affiliate Beloit (62-63). RHP Brady Schanuel (3.20 ERA) is scheduled to get yet another short start (~50 pitches) in Game One of the series.

Carolina Pre-Game Notes
Final: Carolina 6, Columbia 0
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Earn Series Splitting 6-0 Victory in Home Finale

Carolina got the win they needed to even their home series against Columbia 3-3 and did it in convincing fashion.

It was a very encouraging start for 2021 fourth round selection RHP Logan Henderson (3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks), who’s still building up strength after a long injury layoff. He pitched three scoreless innings here, exiting with a 1-0 lead before giving way to RHP Fernando Olguin.

The first Mudcat run was of the manufactured variety, with 2B Robert Moore (1-for-3, double, walk, 2 SBs) drawing a walk, stealing second and third base, then coming home on an RBI groundout.

That run was ultimately the only one which Henderson and Olguin would require, as the 21-year old Olguin (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks) had his best performance of the season, conceding just two hits and no walks over six scoreless innings.

While Carolina’s pitchers remained dominant, OFs Eduarqui Fernandez (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB) and Jace Avina hit their eighth and 15th home runs of 2022 to increase the lead to 3-0 in the 4th inning and 4-0 in the 6th inning, with Avina collecting two more RBIs with a 7th inning single to complete the scoring.

Three Quick Strikes:

• 2022 first round selection SS Eric Brown Jr. (1-for-3, walk, 2 SBs) was a problem for the Fireflies, getting on base twice and stealing two bases, as Carolina stole five bases on the afternoon without any runner caught.
• This game marked the return of 3B
• Jheremy Vargas from a recent injury (last played August 25), though it’s been a tough season (.178 average, .567 OS) for the promising 19-year old.
• DH/INF Branlyn Jaraba and C Alex Hall
• might not look back as fondly at this game, as they combined to go 0-for-8 with six strikeouts.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (64-56) travels to face Cubs’ Low-A affiliate Myrtle Beach (75-51). Expect RHP Miguel Segura (4.38 ERA; last pitched August 26) or RHP Edwin Jimenez (4.55 ERA; last pitched August 31) to start the first game of the series.

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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