Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/11): Miley and Alvarez Deliver in Biloxi, Nashville Victories

[Ro Mueller]

Wade Miley pitched five shutout innings and Jackson Chourio collected three hits. Eddy Alvarez and Tyler Naquin combined on four homers, though Nashville split its doubleheader. Carolina’s terrible week continued, while Wisconsin was rained out.

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

For the week, Wisconsin (4-1) was the sole series winner, though Nashville (3-3) and Biloxi (3-3) each managed to split their contests. Carolina was a miserable 1-6 as their first half title hopes fade.

Transactions:

• LHP Wade Miley sent on rehab assignment to AA Biloxi

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One (Continuation) Final: Nashville 6, Jacksonville 4 (in 8 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Jacksonville 8, Nashville 4 (in 7 innings)
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 Settle For Sunday Split in Jacksonville

After rain washed out Friday’s contest and limited Saturday to just 3.5 innings played, the Sounds and Jumbo Shrimp managed to play 11.5 innings Sunday, with plenty of rehab stints and fireworks.

The continuation game picked up in the bottom of the 4th inning tied at 1-1, with 2B Eddy Alvarez (3-for-4, 2 HRs, double, 3 RBIs) homering in the 6th inning (a solo shot to tie the game 3-3) and again in the 8th inning (a 2-run shot to extend the Sounds’ lead to 6-3).

The second game was played as a 7-inning affair but it was essentially over after eight pitches (single, double, homer) from rehabbing LHP Eric Lauer, who needed 34 pitches to survive a 3-run first inning. The second inning didn’t go any better as Jacksonville needed just seven pitches to load the bases (three singles), followed by a Little League grand slam. However, two homers by right fielder Tyler Naquin (2-for-3, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs) and another by C Payton Henry (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs) showed the potency of the Sounds’ offense in their 8-4 defeat.

Sounds’ Extras:

• RHP Matt Bush’s second rehab appearance was a success (13 pitches, 3 ground outs), while RHP JB Bukauskus’ second rehab stint was an up-and-down affair: conceded 2-run homer, but retired five of next six batters including three in a row via strikeout.
• RHP Thyago Vieira (2 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) came through once again for the Sounds in the first game, working around a lead-off single in the bottom of the 7th inning to get the game to extra innings, then only allowing the Manfred Man to score in the following frame to earn the win.
• While most of the organization’s concern rightfully centers on Eric Lauer’s struggles, center fielder Monte Harrison also picked a bad time to turn that 2nd inning single into a grand slam by allowing the ball to slip under his glove and roll to the wall. With the recent additions of OFs Michael Reed and Roman Quinn, along with the expected return of rehabbing OF Sal Frelick, roster spots may suddenly be at a premium.

 

Next week’s outlook: The Sounds (31-31) return home to take on Braves’ affiliate Gwinnett (29-34). Expect RHP Pedro Fernandez (3.86 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 44 1/3 IP) to start the series opener on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 5, Mississippi 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Mike Guerrero Notches 1,400th Career Win, Shuckers Win Finale over M-Braves

Outside of a tricky 3rd inning, LHP Wade Miley (5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks, 1 WP) cruised through what he hopes will be the only rehab start that he requires, needing just 65 pitches to pitch five shutout innings.

After retiring the first six batters of the game, consecutive singles to start the 3rd inning put Miley in a jam, though he deftly escaped with a force out at third base, fly out and strike out.

The victory was Manager Mike Guerrero’s 1,400th in the minor leagues, making him only the 7th active manager to achieve this feat. Have a look at several Shuckers’ highlights at their Twitter feed.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• After stranding four runners in the first three innings, the Shuckers offense didn’t miss in a three-run 4th inning, with a leadoff double by DH/OF Tristen Lutz (2-for-5, double, RBI), then singles by each of SS Freddy Zamora, 2B Ethan Murray (1-for-5, RBI, 2 SBs) and center fielder Jackson Chourio (3-for-5, 2 RBIs, SB).
• Unfortunately, the game tightened to 4-3 upon RHP Bo Bowman’s (1 IP, 3 R (2 ER)) entry in the 6th inning and Biloxi needed solid relief and an insurance run to hold on for victory. Relief came in the form of RHPs Tobias Myers, Cam Robinson and Abner Uribe covering three innings, with Uribe registering 103mph on the radar gun although he also allowed a homer.
• Biloxi ran the Braves ragged for much of the game, stealing six straight bases before getting caught twice in the top of the 8th inning. Their seventh stolen base was perhaps the most crucial: 3B Tyler Black singled to lead off the 9th inning, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 5-3 before Uribe earned the save.

 

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (29-28) stays on the road to take on Rays’ affiliate Montgomery (28-29). Although no starting pitcher is listed for Tuesday’s game, RHP Christian Mejias (5.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 50 1/3 IP) is most likely to get the start.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes

Via the Rattlers’ website, rainout details: Rattlers Rained Out of Series Finale at West Michigan

If you suspected that West Michigan had simply had enough of being beaten by the Timber Rattlers, so called the game due to a few drops, you’d probably be mistaken: three of the six scheduled games in the Midwest League were rained out on Sunday. This game will not be made up.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (22-33) stays in Michigan to play Dodgers’ super-affiliate Great Lakes (39-17). I assume 21-year old RHP Edwin Jimenez (2.09 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 47 1/3 IP) will start Tuesday’s noon contest after missing out due to today’s rainout.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Fayetteville 6, Carolina 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Nicasia Homers as Mudcats Lose Sixth Straight

Losers of five straight games entering Sunday’s contest, the Mudcats needed an early spark but instead found themselves behind 4-0 before even swinging their bats. RHP Will Rudy (4 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) uncharacteristically struggled, walking two of the first three batters and then allowing three consecutive hits.

At least Rudy was able to recollect himself and pitch three scoreless innings after that brutal first inning, but unfortunately the hole was already too deep for struggling Mudcats, who fell to four games behind Down East in the standings.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• The Mudcats were outhit 10-to-4 and struck out 16 times in the game, but they did in fact make a game of it with one big swing from right fielder Kay-Lan Nicasia (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs) in the bottom of the 6th inning: a 3-run blast to cut the deficit to 5-3.
• A double from C Jose Sibrian with one out in the bottom of the 7th inning brought the potential tying run to the plate, but 2B Jheremy Vargas and SS Jadher Areinamo weren’t able to come through.
• In the relief corps, each of RHPs Nick Merkel and Yerlin Rodriguez conceded one earned run over their combined four innings of work. RHP Shane Smith’s hitless, scoreless, 3-strikeout inning looks better by comparison, though he also hit two out of five batters.

 

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (30-25) heads out to take on Braves’ affiliate Augusta (27-30), hoping any number of their wounded position players (e.g. Daniel Guilarte, Luis Lara, Tayden Hall, Luis Castillo) make a return. RHP Logan Henderson may get the call to start the first game of the series.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck in the three Rookie affiliate games tomorrow.

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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[Jim Goulart]