Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/11): Clarke, Areinamo, Pena and Barrios Lead 4-Win Thursday

[Ro Mueller]

Wes Clarke and Brock Wilken provided fireworks for Nashville and Biloxi, though Biloxi fell in extras. Matt Wood collected the game-winning hit for Wisconsin, while Carolina was shut out over 14 innings.

Transactions:

• INF Joey Ortiz sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 10, Iowa 4
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Nashville Offense Explodes Again in Victory Over Iowa

After a 16-minute rain delay to start the contest, the first hit of the game didn’t come until one out in the bottom of the 3rd inning (a double from center fielder Chris Roller) and it was all Sounds from there.

DH Wes Clarke (3-for-4, HR, double, 3 RBIs led the way, delivering a 2-run double for a 3-0 advantage in that same 3rd inning, a solo homer to push the lead to 6-1 in the 5th inning and singling to start the 7th inning when the game had tightened to 6-3. 2B Patrick Dorrian (3-for-5, double, 2 RBIs) came through with a 2-run single in that frame to essentially put the game away at 8-3.

 

Starting RHP Chad Patrick only allowed five baserunners over six solid innings to collect his 8th Win of 2024, although that included a solo homer and a 2-run shot: 6 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks. His season ERA remains beautiful at 2.92 in 86 1/3 IP, especially considering the International League’s average ERA is 4.93.

Where’s Tyler Black? A day after playing center field, Black manned third base, fielding only one ball (cleanly) on the night. At the plate, Black went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Sounds’ Extras:

• After going unclaimed on waivers, 1B Owen Miller appears determined to show 30 Major League clubs what they’re missing: 3-for-5 with an RBI in this game, after going 4-for-5 yesterday.
• Every Nashville starting position player reached base via walk or hit, with Roller going 2-for-5. Only left fielder Joey Wiemer and C Brian Navarreto had a “0” in the hit column, but neither struck out.
• RHP Mitch White threw 51 pitches in 3 innings of long relief, striking out 6 of 12 batters to earn a Save.

Friday’s outlook: 22-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez faces off against old friend LHP Thomas Pannone, with Nashville up 3-0 in the series and seeking a clinching win.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Chattanooga 5, Biloxi 4 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Wilken's Two-Home Run Night Spoiled by Lookouts in Extra-Innings Loss for Shuckers

The Shuckers looked like the better team against struggling Chattanooga, but went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position while the Lookouts scored 5 runs despite only going 0-for-1 with RISP.

3B Brock Wilken’s (2-for-5) solo homers gave Biloxi a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, then tied the affair at 4-4 in the 5th inning after starting RHP Shane Smith (6 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) uncharacteristically conceded a run-scoring triple and 2-run homer.

 

Neither team could muster any offense from the 5th through the 8th innings, before the C Nick Kahle, left fielder Adam Hall (2-for-4; 10-game hitting streak) and right fielder Lamar Sparks (2-for-3, walk, SB) each singled to load the bases with nobody out in the top of the 9th inning. However, Biloxi failed to cash in, going pop out, strike out, ground out.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Smith and RHPs Bo Bowman (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) and Craig Yoho (1 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 0 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) limited Chattanooga to 3 baserunners (2 singles, 1 walk) over the final 5 2/3 innings of scheduled play, with Bowman erasing one of the baserunners via pick off.
• 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. went 0-for-5, but it was great to see him back in the lineup two days after exiting Tuesday’s game following a hit-by-pitch.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Jacob Misiorowski looks to continue his 5-game hot streak (2.21 ERA with 28 Ks in 20 1/3 IP), as Biloxi aims for a 3-1 series lead.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 3, West Michigan 2 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wood Walks Off Whitecaps for Wisconsin

With Wisconsin playing at home, we’re blessed with a bevy of video highlights from the T-Rats’ media team:

And we also have the 26-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast with more nuggets, featuring rehabbing Joey Ortiz, Manager Victor Estevez and game-winning hero Matt Wood.

There’s a LOT of content in the video and two links I’ve shared, so there’s no need saying much more. Enjoy it!

3,230 fans were in attendance (as mentioned in the video) for 3B Joey Ortiz’s first rehab appearance. Ortiz played 7 innings, garnering a fly out, ground out and walk, while fielding three balls at his position.

Starting RHP KC Hunt was dominant once again, striking out 9 over 6 innings: 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 Ks.

SS Jadher Areinamo (2-for-3, 2 walks, RBI) came into the game leading the Midwest League in hits, then reached base 4 times in this game to continue his torrid pace. C Matt Wood also collected 2 hits, including the game-winner which you’ve read about and watched.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• I didn’t know that RHP Chase Costello (2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 WPs, 2 Ks) has a wipe-out change up and a 96mph fastball. Watch the video!
• LHP Mark Manfredi looked solid in the new relief experiment, allowing only a walk over the 7th and 8th innings: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks.
• Until extra innings, clutch hits were hard to come by, with Wisconsin stranding 11 baserunners and West Michigan going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Will Rudy is on a decent 4-game run (3.63 ERA over 22 1/3 IP) and he gets a chance lead the Timber Rattlers to a series-clinching victory.

Game One Final: Fredericksburg 1, Carolina 0 (in 7 innings as scheduled)
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: Fredericksburg 2, Carolina 0 (in 7 innings as scheduled)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Swept In Doubleheader

Despite being outhit 5-to-4 and 6-to-4 in the two contests, Carolina will rightfully feel they let these games slip away, having gone 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position on the evening.

Per the discussion in our daily minor league forum, poor baserunning was the name of the game in the opener, failing to head home from 3rd base on a grounder to the right side in the 4th inning, then making two questionable decisions leading to outs in the 4th and 5th frames, then ending the game with a caught stealing.

Starting 18-year old RHP Enniel Cortez deserved better than to take the Loss: 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks, with forum watcher @wiguy94 saying he was generally throwing about 92mph. Left fielder Yhoswar Garcia went 2-for-3 to attempt to lead the offense, but was caught stealing and thrown out going for an extra base.

The Nationals were the better team in the second game, but both teams struggled in clutch situations, going a combined 1-for-17 with RISP.

RHP Daniel Corniel bounced back from two difficult starts, but still faced quite a bit of traffic and took the Loss: 5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 Ks. Filippo Di Turi manned shortstop as Cooper Pratt rested for a game, with Di Turi going 2-for-3.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Center fielder Yophery Rodriguez had a productive day at the plate, reaching base in 4-of-6 plate appearances: 1 double, 3 walks.
• C Satchell Norman went 1-for-2 with a walk and a double in the second game.
• RHPs Jeferson Figueroa (Game 1) and Dikember Sanchez (Game 2) each pitched a scoreless inning of relief to give their offense a chance.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Josh Knoth gets the start, with the Mudcats needing a win to even the series 2-2.

Final: ACL Brewers 10, ACL White Sox 5 (in 7 innings as scheduled)
Box Score and Game Log

It was Comeback City for the ACL Crew, who trailed 5-1 entering the 5th inning before grabbing 3 runs in each of the 5th, 6th and 7th frames.

1B Johan Barrios (3-for-3, walk) got the rally started with a 1-out double in the top of the 5th inning, although the team was helped out by an HBP and two errors.

With right-handed reliever Jesus Broca shutting things down (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks), the offense continued its work with C Eric Martinez doubling, Barrios adding a single and right fielder Angel Pereira clearing the bases with a 3-run triple for a 7-5 advantage.

Starting youngster RHP Melvin Hernandez had worked around traffic for two innings before conceding a 4-run third inning: 4 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks.

Final: DSL Brewers Uno 3, DSL Red Sox Blue 1 (in 5 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Weather limited game action to just five frames, but that didn’t stop 2B Luis Pena from racking up the stats: 2-for-2, double, walk, RBI, 3 SBs.

Pena’s season OPS is now 1.160, but that trails SS Jesus Made, who put in a 1-for-2 day with a walk. 2B Juan Ortuno added a 1-for-1 afternoon with a double, walk and RBI.

On the mound, the team went through 4 pitchers in the 5 innings, with RHP Wande Torres getting the start (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks), two-way player (LHP) Idalberto Santiesteban stranding a baserunner for him, then RHP Carlos Carra navigating around 4 hits and a walk over 1 1/3 IP and RHP Luis Guevara calming the waters: 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks.

Final: DSL Rojos 5, DSL Brewers Dos 4 (in 6 1/3 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

This was likely a bitter loss to swallow, stranding 8 baserunners vs. Zero for the Rojos, then having the weather call the game while batting in the bottom of the final inning.

Center fielder Jose Anderson led off the bottom of the 1st inning with his DSL-leading 7th homer of the year. SS Jorge Quintana and left fielder Pedro Tovar each went 2-for-4, with Tovar notching a double. 1B Frederi Montero also had a decent day, going 1-for-3 with a double, walk and RBI.

Unfortunately, the team was unable to cash in on a 2-on, nobody out opportunity in the 5th inning, which was their last solid chance.

January 2024 signee 17-year old RHP Dalvin Bodre started and made his organizational debut: 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks. Welcome to the fold, Dalvin!

RHP Argenis Aparicio handled the innings-eater role: 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, 1 BB, 2 WP, 2 Ks and RHP Wandy Cabrera was effective in relief: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Seven minor league games are due up on Friday, along with the Milwaukee Brewers hosting the Washington Nationals.

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[CheeseheadInQC]

I am probably biased, given that I have been touting him as a sleeper since his first season, but I wonder if he keeps pitching well if Wande Torres might be the rare DSL pitcher who skips the Complex League. Thanks to the injury, this is already his third season in the system, but he is 6-3, left-handed, and has always struck out a lot of batters.

[James Zumstein]

11 hours ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

I am probably biased, given that I have been touting him as a sleeper since his first season, but I wonder if he keeps pitching well if Wande Torres might be the rare DSL pitcher who skips the Complex League. Thanks to the injury, this is already his third season in the system, but he is 6-3, left-handed, and has always struck out a lot of batters.

Great call here.  I think we'll have a better idea in the coming days and weeks as we draft and sign newcomers into the fold as to who might be considered for such a move.  

[CheeseheadInQC]

8 minutes ago, James Zumstein said:

Great call here.  I think we'll have a better idea in the coming days and weeks as we draft and sign newcomers into the fold as to who might be considered for such a move.  

I think in a normal season (and without the Manfred rules) he would be considered for an ACL call up to prepare him for next season, but that isn't happening at this point.