Sun. 5/21 - Only One Way To Go, That's Up

[Jim Goulart]

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Sunday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

[Ro Mueller]

The AA Shuckers have lost 5 in a row in Chattanooga and 7 games overall, but have RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, 31.2 IP) on the mound to exact some revenge today. 2B Felix Valerio’s bat is finally coming around a little (.742 OPS in last 10 games / 38 PAs). 

[Ro Mueller]

Low-A Carolina and Kannapolis have a rare deciding Game 7 today, with 19-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera aiming to silence opposing bats for the 2nd time this week (4 IP, 1 R (unearned), 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks on Tuesday). 

[Ro Mueller]

High-A Wisconsin’s RHP Stiven Cruz gets a 2nd crack of the week against Quad Cities, after taking the loss on Tuesday. 2B Robert Moore has a 5-game hitting streak. 

[Ro Mueller]

AAA Nashville faces a daunting task to try to even up their series in Durham 3-3 against rehabbing Tyler Glasgow. Starting RHP Caleb Boushley has been in good form of late (2.13 ERA in last 25.1 IP). CF Blake Perkins is in the midst of a productive stretch (1.004 OPS in last 9 games / 44 PAs).

[Ro Mueller]

After loading the bases with nobody out in the 1st inning yet failing to score (grrrrr), the Mudcats grabbed 2 runs on 3 singles (Gregory Barrios, Hedbert Perez, Luis Lara) in the 2nd inning. Up 2-0 early. Go Carolina!

[Ro Mueller]

A 2-out infield hit off his glove seemed to fluster Yujanyer Herrera, who walked or hit the next 3 batters, ultimately giving up 3 runs in the 2nd inning.

But his teammates have picked him up immediately with a 5-run 3rd inning, capped by a Luke Adams 3-run blast. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Through 4 innings, Caleb Boushley has thrown 76 pitches vs. 48 for Tyler Glasgow.

But Nashville only trails 2-0, in part thanks to C Alex Jackson throwing out 2 attempted basestealers. 1B Luke Voit has grounded into a double play and walked.

[Ro Mueller]

After striking out 20 times in 9 innings yesterday, the Shuckers appear determined to surpass that mark today: 5 Ks through 2 innings.

But hey, we lead 1-0 as Tyler Black tripled and scored.

[Ro Mueller]

The Sounds have taken a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning. Patrick Dorrian had a solo shot in the 5th inning, now Alex Jackson hits a 2-run blast.

[Ro Mueller]

Carlos F. Rodriguez allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in the 2nd inning. Biloxi trails 2-1.

[Ro Mueller]

Oh boy. Carolina gives up 3 runs in the 6th inning and it’s a 7-6 ballgame. All runs charged to Jeison Peña. Why don’t the White Sox promote 24-year old Tim Elko already? Shoot! 

[Ro Mueller]

Well, Wisconsin’s down again. This time 4-0 by the 3rd inning.

In better news, Robert Moore has now hit a solo shot as he continues to rebound from a terrible slump. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Manager Sweet tried to get a 2nd inning out of LHP Bennett Sousa, but a leadoff walk and double sent him to call in RHP Thyago Vieira. Vieira did well to minimize the damage, allowing only an RBI groundout while striking out two batters. It’s 3-3, headed to the 9th inning in Durham.

[Ro Mueller]

Four Shuckers reached base in the 4th inning, though only one run came across on a sac fly. Tyler Black has a triple, 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. It’s 2-2 in Chattanooga.

[Ro Mueller]

The pendulum continues to swing in Kannapolis, as the Mudcats score 2 runs in the top of the 7th inning on 2 walks, a single (Hedbert Perez) and sac fly. Carolina leads 9-6.

[Ro Mueller]

Thyago Vieira successfully covered a 2nd inning, working around a 2-out triple. The Brazilian flamethrower’s ERA remains 0.00. To the 10th inning they go in Durham.

[Ro Mueller]

Freddy Zamora exited after 3.5 innings, replaced by Zavier Warren who’s playing shortstop for the first time since college in 2020. That’s odd, but maybe Ethan Murray (last played Wednesday) is nursing something too.

In more positive news, Jeferson Quero has homered in the 5th inning, his 7th of the year. 3-2 Shuckers.

[Ro Mueller]

Nashville cashes in the Manfred Man and two more runs (Alex Jackson HBP, singles by Patrick Dorrian and Monte Harrison), to take a 6-3 lead.

Then LHP Alex Claudio came in to retire all 3 batters to earn the save. 6-4 Nashville wins.

[Ro Mueller]

I think Victor Estevez would be quite fun to play for and have as the hometown manager, since he’s typically not shy about going for the win.

In this Game 7 in Kannapolis, that has meant bringing in Chase Costello in the 4th inning (covered 1.1 IP) and Tanner Shears in the 6th inning (covered 2.1 IP).

And the team has responded, getting 2 runs in the 7th inning, then 3 more in the 9th inning (hits from Jheremy Vargas, Jose Sibrian, Luke Adams, Luis Lara).

And just like that, it’s 12-6 Mudcats.

[Ro Mueller]

Noah Campbell’s been scuffling a bit (2 more Ks today), but comes through with a 2-out, RBI single in the 6th inning to score Tyler Black (singled; reached base all 4 times). That gives Biloxi a 4-2 lead.

And Jeferson Quero follows with his 2nd blast of the game, this one a 3-run dinger. Woo hoo! 7-2 Shuckers!

[Joseph Zarr]

Two more ding dongs from my hearthrob C Jeferson Quero. Settle down! Settle down, young master!

[Joseph Zarr]

INF Zavier Warren replaced SS Freddy Zamora in the fourth frame. These are the first innings Zavi has ever played SS in the Minor Leagues. I am wondering what is going on here.

 

* Just now seeing you pointed this out above @damuelle - very strange.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, damuelle said:

Oh boy. Carolina gives up 3 runs in the 6th inning and it’s a 7-6 ballgame. All runs charged to Jeison Peña. Why don’t the White Sox promote 24-year old Tim Elko already? Shoot! 

I remember before the season began there were some on our board wondering why Peña wasn't starting the season in High-A Wisconsin. I tried to point out to them, he wasn't all that successful in his brief tenure in High-A with several signs he needed more fine-tuning. Well, at this point of the young season, he might be looking at relegation work or signing on the Indy League circuit alá LHP Leoni de la Cruz (who I would add was even more impressive last season than the struggling Peña). Lotta ballgame left but the early 2023 returns are quite often filled with multiple runs per outing.

[Joseph Zarr]

The ongoing futility in Wisconsin is indeed frustrating. However, what I am finding far more 'disappointing' than their overall record is the sudden and ongoing super struggles of RHP Stiven Cruz, RHP Alexander Cornielle, and RHP Cameron Wagoner (albeit, to a lesser extent given our extremely brief glimpse in 2022). Cruz and Cornielle, in particular, have taken giant steps back in the early part of 2023.