Wed. 4/12: Morning action in Carolina; Lunchtime game in Appleton

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, wiguy94 said:

Eric Brown Jr with the classic dip the elbow in while making it look like you're attempting to get out of the way HBP. As much as I dislike this stuff, I think it is actually a skill that can be weaponized by hitters.

That was a very good AB. As an opponent, you hate to see that. As a teammate and a manager (with an elbow pad protecting) you love the savvy to just get on base in a tough prolonged AB. 

[Joseph Zarr]

That's why you throw only off-speed to García. Boy, that was rough stuff from Moore, Gray Jr. and García. Bases juiced with nobody down and clinging to a one run ball game and they can't even make contact? Woof. Let's hope RHP Taylor Floyd can continue pitching like he has since late last summer. That could definitely come back to haunt the Rattlers.

[Joseph Zarr]

And, yet another drop off a T-Rats glove in another weak pop fly to the shallow grass. This game is hurtful on the eyes when the Chiefs are at the plate. These T-Rats pitchers deserve so much better. RHP Taylor Floyd looks fantastic. The slider is gorgeous. He should be in the dugout after an uber-efficient inning.

[Joseph Zarr]

And, well, that is exactly why mistakes and errors matter (they gave the single on the Ward drop - that was an error) as the next Chiefs batter crushes a two-run bomb over the wall in right field on an inside heater. This just an inning after stranding three runners with nobody out. What a frustrating game so far. 6-5 Chiefs. All runs came after two outs. Five of those runs, most likely, should have never had the opportunity to cross given the mental errors.

[Joseph Zarr]

Big Bob Moore just rifled a cannon shot over the right field wall. His second HR of the season. 7-6 Chiefs. One down. That was a laser. Instant bat drop.

[Joseph Zarr]

García strikes out on three straight sliders - the third swinging low and outside after watching two run right through the heart of the plate. This is the recipe. This was a pitcher who knew what to do. T-Rats lose 7-6. Unfortunate ending to a very tough game on the T-Rats pitching staff who deserved a much better result. Back at it tomorrow.

[Ro Mueller]

After losing the series opener, the Mudcats needed a victory to even the series against Salem 1-1 (spoiler alert: we didn’t succeed). 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (4.72 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 12.8 K/9 in 34.1 ACL innings last year) and 18-year old DH/3B Luke Adams (1.075 OPS in 41 ACL PAs in 2022) make their Low-A debuts. 

[Ro Mueller]

The Timber Rattlers were looking to double their series lead over Peoria to 2-0 (spoiler: ‘twas a frustrating loss instead), with terrific 21-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (3.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 119 IP last year) making his first start of 2023. 

[Ro Mueller]

AA Biloxi is 3-1 to start the season and welcomes LHP Adam Seminaris (acquired in the Hunter Renfroe trade) to the mound for his organizational debut. What does CF Jackson Chourio have in store for us today, after two blasts (including a walk-off) in yesterday’s win over Pensacola? LF Noah Campbell makes his first start of 2023. 

[Ro Mueller]

The AAA Sounds stunned Norfolk with a come-from-behind win yesterday and send 23-year old LHP Robert Gasser (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks in his first game) out tonight for his second start of 2023. LF Tyler Naquin comes enters the contest with a 7-game hitting streak. 

[Joseph Zarr]

They are announcing lineups over he loudspeakers in Nashville. First pitch should be just round the corner. Looking forward to seeing LHP Robert Gasser for the first time in 2023! Let's grab some evening dubs, men!

[Joseph Zarr]

We currently have a delayed start in Biloxi. Ruh Roh. Looks hopeful, however:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Three up. Three down for Gasser in his first frame. Really working the heater to change-up here early. 0 H, 1 K (of highly touted Orioles INF Jordan Westburg), fly out to left field. Fly out to very shallow center. Very sharp early. In and around the zone. 

[Joseph Zarr]

A nasty curveball here in the 2nd induces his 2nd K. Really sexy pitch. He grabbed a weak fly out to shallow right field with his first slider of his outing. Two down. Man on first (HBP). He gets the deep fly out to Frelick in RF about 6-9' in front of the warning track to end the frame. His off speed arsenal is extremely dynamic tonight.

[Joseph Zarr]

That's now two HBP in the past two innings for Gasser. The only base runners so far in the contest. Scratch that. We now have a weakly hit grounder up the middle that manages to find the CF grass. Men on first and second base. And, a cutter travels to deep and low inside and ricochets behind Navarreto so the runners advance. Second and third base now and one down.

[Joseph Zarr]

Gasser now has the bases full. He's lost his control here in the 3rd as he tries to exceed the current Sounds starting pitcher average of 3 IP😂. Bless that Sounds bullpen - stalwarts. He escapes with a near miss outside back door curve getting the batter late on a 92 mph high heater. That's now 3 K and none more important than that swing and miss K.

[Joseph Zarr]

Welp, Biloxi is postponed due to rain. My Chourio fix goes unfulfilled. Let's go Sounds!

[Joseph Zarr]

Hey now! INF Eddie Alvarez connects on another HR to the top of the wall (may have landed on the yellow stripe) to deep right field. A lefty finally connects on Vallimont's change up and sends it deep. 1-0 Sounds. Let's go!

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Gasser works around a 1 out walk (had him 0-2) and rare SB vs C Brian Navarreto (dropped the ball during the transfer and pop) with a beautiful K on an 80 mph K sweeping outside the zone and a ground out to Monasterio at SS. On to the bottom of the 4th. It certainly looks like Gasser has a chance to give Rick Sweet 5 innings in the least. Pitch count is at 60 or so pitches.

[wiguy94]

Gasser's poor command since he got to AAA comes back to bite him this inning. Walking the number 9 hitter who had a .077 BA and then gives up a triple to number 1 hitter. 

[Joseph Zarr]

After the first two frames, Gasser has lost his ability to hit the zone consistently. He now has 3 BB and 2 HBP. Hopefully, he'll find himself here and at least complete the fifth frame. The bullpen could use the rest. 

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Gasser's poor command since he got to AAA comes back to bite him this inning. Walking the number 9 hitter who had a .077 BA and then gives up a triple to number 1 hitter. 

Yup. Great first two innings. Hitting the zone. Extremely efficient. And, just like that, he lost all semblance of consistent control As you point out, this has been his achilles heel since promotion late last summer. He has the arsenal. It's just currently erratic, unfortunately.

[wiguy94]

Strikes out the next 3 batters but the runner scores from 3rd on a spiked wild pitch from Gasser. Thought Navarreto made a pretty poor effort at blocking it though.

[Joseph Zarr]

And, then, after two beautiful K's he throws a ball inside in the dirt and allows the lead runner to cross on a 2-2 wild pitch - his second of the evening. All these base runners and runs are control related. He then gets his 7th K. Man, that was a tough pill to swallow.

[wiguy94]

A lot of really poor fundamental baseball from the Brewers organization today. This time Toro makes the 1st out of the inning at 3B trying to stretch a double into a triple. The throw pretty easily beat him to 3B.