Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/27): Peterson’s Scoreless Outing Leads Carolina to Victory, Though Other Affiliates Fall

[Ro Mueller]

Starting pitchers Nate Peterson, Stiven Cruz, Carlos Rodriguez and Janson Junk allowed only 4 runs over 19 2/3 innings of work, but the bats let them down as affiliates dropped 3 of 4 contests.

Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers - Carlos Rodriguez

Thursday’s Game Balls go to Nate Peterson, Luke Adams, Stiven Cruz, Ernesto Martinez and Carlos F. Rodriguez, with an honorable mention to Daniel Guilarte.

Transactions:

• RHP JC Mejia activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list
• C Alex Jackson placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• RHP Zach Vennaro activated by AA Biloxi from 7-day injured list
• RHP Gus Varland sent to High-A Wisconsin on rehab assignment
• RHP Royer Cabrera released by DSL Brewers-1
• OF/INF Luis Watter released by DSL Brewers-1
• C Juan Rosa released by DSL Brewers-1
• LHP Jhofez Mejias released by DSL Brewers-1
• RHP Jose Pena released by DSL Brewers-1
• INF Edgardo Reyes released by DSL Brewers-2
• RHP Reybert Reyes released by DSL Brewers-2
• OF Francisco Nina released by DSL Brewers-2
• RHP Franddy De Los Santos released by DSL Brewers-2

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Omaha 2, Nashville 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Slip Up in Loss to Omaha

Nashville wasn’t able to string together a third straight win, despite a solid pitching effort. However, they still lead this week’s series 2-1.

Three Quick Strikes:

• RHP Janson Junk (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks) continues to perform at a high level as he awaits his second opportunity for a spot start with the Brewers. The 27-year old is in only his second option year, so the organization won’t really be forced to keep him in the majors until 2025.
• Right fielder Skye Bolt continued his 3-game offensive surge, hitting a ground rule double in the bottom of the 8th inning to cut the deficit to 2-1, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and nobody out. Unfortunately, none of Keston Hiura (K), Jon Singleton (K) or Abraham Toro (walk), Cam Devanney (fly out) were able to come through in the clutch. For what it’s worth, Singleton (18-game on-base) and Toro (12-game hitting, 17-game on-base) were able to extend their streaks earlier in the game, while Hiura was 1-for-3 with a walk.
• As the story link details, the Sounds bullpen was solid yet again, covering four scoreless innings while striking out eight Storm Chasers. Flame-throwing 29-year old RHP Thyago Vieira (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks) made his season debut.

Friday outlook: LHP Thomas Pannone is scheduled for his second attempt at his first start in the Brewers’ organization, after a rainout last week pushed him to the bullpen for his solid debut (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks). A victory would give Nashville a 3-1 advantage in the series.
 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Mississippi 2, Biloxi 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Carlos Rodriguez Sets New Season High with Nine Strikeouts in Loss to M-Braves

Through four starts thus far, Rodriguez (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 9 Ks, 1 balk) is making a mockery of the offseason talk of a possible aggressive placement at AA Biloxi to start the season.

He’s immediately adapted to the promotion, despite throwing just 36 1/3 innings at High-A last year, lowering his season ERA to 2.12 through 17 innings, with 25 strikeouts. The main downside to Thursday’s performance was that he required 94 pitches to scale through the five innings.

In the 2nd inning, Rodriguez also showed that he’s able to “throw some glove”:

Center fielder Jackson Chourio wasn’t able to extend his 5-game hitting streak, but he did knock in the team’s only run:

Three Quick Strikes:

• A walk, two infield singles and an error led to the Braves’ second run, with RHP James Meeker tagged with the loss despite not allowing an earned run. Birthday boy (now 29) LHP Darrell Thompson (2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K) kept his season ERA at 0.00 through 10.2 innings pitched.
• Biloxi’s offense only managed three hits (all singles) in 29 at-bats, including one from switch-hitting OF/INF Noah Campbell (1-for-2, walk; .300 AVG, 1.063 OPS in 32 PAs), who exited the game early after catching a fly out to end the top of the 8th inning. Let’s hope the versatile Campbell does not end up missing time.
• Right fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez extended his on-base streak to 12 games with a 2-out walk in the bottom of the 9th inning, with C Wes Clarke (1-for-2, 2 walks) moving him to 3rd base with a single. Unfortunately, DH/C Jeferson Quero grounded out to send the fans home unhappy.

Friday’s outlook: Red-hot RHP Justin Jarvis (1.59 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 12.2 K/9 through 17 IP) gets the ball, with the Shuckers needing a win to even the series 2-2.
 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Beloit 6, Wisconsin 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Late Rally Not Enough for the Rattlers

Wisconsin’s terrific media team captured the game highlights with ample video.

21-year old Cruz (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) continued his solid work and even exited with a 2-1 lead before handing over to Major League rehabber RHP Gus Varland (1/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks).

1B Ernesto Martinez’s (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) pivotal 7th minor league season continues its ups and downs, with his potential showing through in this game: He smacked an opposite field solo homer in the 5th inning, walked and stole a base in the 7th inning (but was stranded), then singled in a run as part of the attempted rally in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Three Quick Strikes:

• I’m guessing the Brewers will slow play Varland’s return, especially after retiring only one of five batters faced (double, two singles, walk, groundout) and taking the loss for Wisconsin on Thursday. That one batter he retired was actually the opening hitter, who smacked a dangerous line drive right back at Varland.
• 2B Robert Moore doubled in the 1st inning to end his 0-for-19 slump, but then proceeded to go 0-for-4 over the rest of the game, including hitting an infield popup with the tying run on second base and one out in the bottom of the 9th inning. SS Eduardo Garcia then flied out to end the game, part of his 0-for-5 effort on a difficult 4-strikeout night for the 20-year old.
• 3B Jose Acosta is making the most of SS Eric Brown Jr.’s absence, following up Wednesday’s 3-for-3 effort with another strong game at the plate (2-for-3, walk, RBI), although he was caught stealing in the 2nd inning and also run down in a 4th inning pickle.

Here’s that scary ball back at Varland:

@CMehring and @byKyleLobner also interviewed Varland before the game and recapped the loss here.

Friday’s outlook: Confident 23-year old RHP Tyler Woessner (1.69 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 16 IP) gets the chance to end Wisconsin’s 4-game losing streak. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Curt Hogg highlighted Woessner in an article yesterday.
 

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Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 7, Kannapolis 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Micro Brews Blast Cannon Ballers 7-1 in Zebulon

18-year old 1B Luke Adams (2-for-2, double, walk, HBP, RBI, SB) and 22-year old C Matt Wood (1-for-3, double, walk, RBI) continue to propel the Mudcats’ offense, with Adams reaching base in all four plate appearances and Wood doubling in a run in this game.

Visit the Mudcats twitter handle (@CarolinaMudcats) for several more video highlights.

Three Quick Strikes:

• Is 23-year old LHP Nate Peterson (4 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 1 WP) following Carlos F. Rodriguez’s 2022 roadmap, turning on his domination switch after some nervous outings to start his minor league career? His second straight scoreless start is undoubtedly generating organizational excitement, after he’d yielded 8 runs in 6 innings across two relief appearances in early April.
• After Peterson tired in the top of the 5th inning, walking the last two batters he faced, RHP Jeison Pena (2 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) did well to strike out intimidating 6’4”, 240lb, 24-year old Tim Elko (1.090 season OPS), retaining Carolina’s 3-0 lead. RHP Tanner Shears (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks) struck out the final four Cannon Ballers to earn his second save.
• When 2B Daniel Guilarte (2-for-5, triple, 2 RBIs, SB) reaches base, he’s running. The 19-year old stole his 10th base of 2023, but was also caught for the 3rd time.

Friday’s outlook: 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (2.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 11 1/3 IP) is scheduled to make his 4th start of the season, as Carolina aims to build on its 2-1 series lead at home against Kannapolis.
 

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

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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