Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/26): Melvin Hernandez and Oliver Dunn Shine Bright in 4-3 Thursday Action

[Ro Mueller]

Transactions:

• OF Pedro Ibarguen promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers
• RHP Nick DeCarlo promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers
• OF Blake Perkins’ rehab assignment change to AAA Nashville

Game Action:
Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 6, Jacksonville 2
Box Score and Game Log

LHP Bruce Zimmermann tied his season high with 6 innings (1 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) for his 3rd straight effective start, stepping up when the team needs starting length.

OF Bobby Dalbec’s solo homer on a 2-0 pitch to lead off the 2nd inning got the scoring started, followed by SS Oliver Dunn’s 2-run blast in the same frame and 1B Andrew Vaughn’s solo shot for a 4-1 lead in the 5th inning.

After a Jacksonville 7th inning homer and two long fly balls in the 8th inning with the potential game-tying batter at the plate against RHP Elvin Rodriguez (2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K), OF Jared Oliva’s delivered a 9th inning RBI single and scored on a wild pitch to give the Sounds some helpful breathing room.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Dunn (3-for4) added a 4th inning single and stolen base, followed by a 5th inning triple, so was on a cycle alert but struck out looking with 2-on to end the top of the 8th inning with the game still close at 4-2. This was Dunn’s second 3-hit game of 2025 (achieved same on 13 June) and second multi-extra base hit game.
• Vaughn and C Jorge Alfaro both had 2-hit days, with Alfaro also throwing out the Jumbo Shrimp’s only attempted basestealer to end the 3rd inning.
• RHP Joel Payamps struck out 2, walked one and induced a pop out in a solid 9th inning, giving him a 1.23 ERA with 9 Ks through 7 1/3 AAA innings in June.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Josh Maciejewski aims to replicate his terrific last start (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks on 51 pitches) and lead Nashville to a 3-1 series lead.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Columbus 3, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Shuckers Fall to Clingstones on Thursday Night

Six singles, 3 walks and an HBP weren’t enough to get the job done for Biloxi as they fell behind 2 games to 1 in this week’s road series.

1B Mike Boeve’s 2-out single in the top of the first spotted RHP Alexander Cornielle an early lead, but the first four Clingstones he faced reached base (BB, 3 singles) before he settled in for another respectable start (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks – 2.94 season ERA).

The Shuckers looked poise to at least tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the 3rd inning after a walk and an error with nobody out, but SS Cooper Pratt’s line-out double play unfortunately fizzled that rally. The next big opportunity came in the 6th inning via a Pratt walk and 3B Zavier Warren single, but a ground ball double play ended that threat as well.

By the 8th inning, Biloxi was down 3-1 but a OF Luis Lara hit-by-pitch and Pratt single put the potential game-tying runners on base with nobody out, only to be stranded as part of a 1-for-10 evening with runners in scoring position.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• In the ‘pen, RHP Abdiel Mendoza (2 IP, 1 R, 1 K) conceded the 7th inning homer and RHP Ryan Middendorf allowed 2 singles and a walk in the bottom of the 8th inning, but managed to escape the bases loaded jam.
• The Shuckers were active on the bases, registering three thefts, including Lara’s 24th of 2025.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Brett Wichrowski (2.88 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 in 34 1/3 IP) keeps getting the job done in spite of traffic and Biloxi looks to him to even the series 2-2.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities 2, Wisconsin 0
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Drop Another Close Contest

Despite the loss, we’re still blessed to have video highlights from the Wisconsin media team:

And don’t forget to listen to the 12-minute Mehring-Lobner postgame podcast.

Only 12 Timber Rattlers batted in the first 4 innings (including 2B Daniel Guilarte’s infield single and caught stealing), so 1B Blake Burke’s single to open the bottom of the 5th inning was the team’s first major opportunity, down 1-0 at that point. Per the podcast, OF Yhoswar Garcia’s first pitch grounder right to 2nd base ended that opportunity via 4-3 double play.

Give immense credit to RHP Sam Garcia for a solid outing, covering 5 innings before the rain delay (1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks – 58 pitches).

Wisconsin had 2 aboard with nobody out in the 6th and 9th innings, but failed to cash in both times, with the latter challenge (ground out, K, K) captured in the video highlights.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• The team’s 0-for-7 result with runners in scoring position and zero extra-base hits give this one a similar storyline to the Biloxi loss.
• Garcia has topped out at 97 pitches previously, so obviously would have given more innings if not for the rain, thus requiring RHP Jack Seppings to deliver 3 innings for the third time this season (1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks).
• OF Hedbert Perez (0-for-2, 2 walks) returned after being absent from the lineup for 2 games.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Ryan Birchard (4.22 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 53 1/3 IP) is set to start, with Wisconsin needing a victory to even the series at 2 games apiece.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 9, Delmarva 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Roll Past Delmarva

Putting up 4 runs in the 1st inning and scoring in each of the first 4 frames made this a comfortable evening for the Mudcats (41-29, including 5-1 in the second half), especially with dominant 18-year old RHP Melvin Hernandez delivering his second straight phenomenal start: 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H – all singles, 0 BB, 4 Ks.

The shutout innings now give Hernandez a 16-inning scoreless streak, which is probably one of the longest active streaks in the Minor Leagues.

All of Carolina’s first inning runs came with 2 outs, starting with DH Filippo Di Turi’s full count RBI single, followed by two generous errors from Delmarva:

1B Eric Bitonti singled and scored in each of the first 2 innings, pushing the lead to 5-0 by that point, with OF Tyler Rodriguez adding a 2-run shot an inning later:

Eight of Carolina’s nine batters collected a hit in the game, with 3B Gery Holguin (2-for-3, 2 walks, RBI) and OF Luis Lameda (2-for-5, 3 RBIs) also having solid stat lines.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• We’ve not seen OF/1B Reece Walling back in the lineup since he exited early on Tuesday and now C Yannic Walther exited after 3 1/2 innings of this contest. While there’s enough infield and outfield depth, let’s watch to see if a catcher is brought in (e.g. Eric Martinez from High-A?).
• 2B Jesus Made may have made 2 of the team’s 3 outs in the 1st inning of this game (against 2 different Shorebirds’ pitchers), but still showed well with a 2-for-6 outing.
• LHP Anfernny Reyes (1 2/3 IP, 4 Ks) entered in the 8th inning with a 9-0 lead and did his best to battle control challenges (e.g. first batter walk, an HBP in the same frame). Two 9th inning strikeouts had him with one out of allowing no runs, but a wild pitch, homer and 2 singles unfortunately hurt the stint.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Travis Smith (3.57 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 in 45 1/3 IP) is scheduled to start, with Carolina aiming for a 3-1 series lead.

Final: ACL Brewers 7, ACL Guardians 6
Box Score and Game Log

OF Engel Paulino’s first stateside homer (and 2nd over 300 career PAs) was the major difference-maker in this taut contest, a 2-run shot to give the Zona Crew a 7-4 advantage in the bottom of the 5th inning.

After OF Handelfry Encarnacion (2-for-5) doubled to spark a 4-run, 5-hit first inning, the Guardians answered back with 4 runs of their own against starting RHP Tyler Renz (4 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 1 WP, 4 Ks) over the 2nd and 3rd frames.

Four straight Brewers reaching to start the bottom of the 4th inning only plated one run, but 1B Frederi Montero’s RBI single gave the team a 5-4 lead by that point. Montero had a 2-for-3 evening with a walk and 2 RBIs. SS Jorge Quintana and 3B Kevin Ereu both also had 2-for-4 games, with Ereu adding 2 key RBIs.

Three Brewers errors contributed to two unearned runs and a 7-6 game by the 7th inning, but RHP Wenderlyn King’s first appearance since June 12 was a solid one: 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K.

King relieved RHP Carlos Espinal (2 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 K) with the game 7-5, 2-on, nobody out in that 7th frame, retiring 7 consecutive batters (though one inherited runner scored on a balk) before allowing 3 straight singles in the top of the 9th inning. C Luis Corobo gunned down one of those baserunners before King induced a fly out to strand the potential game-tying runner at third base.

Final: DSL Brewers Blue 13, DSL CLE Mendoza 11
Box Score and Game Log

The Blue men came back from an early 4-0 deficit and final inning 11-7 deficit, scoring 6 in the 9th for a 13-11 victory over DSL CLE Mendoza. Four Brewers had multi-hit, multi-RBI games: DH Brailyn Antunez (2-for-3, double, 2 walks, sac fly, 2 RBIs), SS Moises Polanco (2-for-3, double, 2 walks, 2 RBIs), OF Frandy Lafond (2-for-4, walk, 3 RBIs, SB), 1B Jefer Lista (2-for-5, walk, 2 RBIs).

On the pitching side, RHP Lukas Gonzalez got the start, struggling through 4 innings (5 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 1 K) to exit with the game tied 5-5, while RHP Carlos Galindo didn’t fare much better on this day (4 IP, 6 R (3 ER), 8 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 WP, 4 Ks). On the bright side, RHP Lenin Mendez retired 3 of 4 batters (1 BB, 0 Ks) to earn his first save of 2025.

The win brings the Blue Crew’s record up to 8-9.

Final: DSL Pirates Gold 19, DSL Brewers Gold 13
Box Score and Game Log

The Golden Guys fell behind 6-0, but cut the deficit to 6-4 and 8-6 before conceding an 8-run 6th inning, ultimately falling 19-13 to DSL Pirates Gold. The team had 5 extra-base hits, 5 players with multi-hit games and 3 players who notched 3 RBIs each, led by C Isais Chavez (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, SB), 1B Jonathan Rangel (2-for-4, triple, 3RBIs) and 2B Juan Martinez (2-for-5, double, 3 RBIs).

It’s fair to say the pitching didn’t go so well, as the team conceded at least one run every inning, commencing with starting RHP Jose Arias conceding 6 earned runs (3 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 2 Ks). RHP Saul Sanchez’ line was more respectable (2 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks), while RHP Enrique Velasquez conceded the 8-spot and RHP Linbel Jimenez put in 3 innings of work (3 R (2 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 3 Ks).

The loss drops the team to the same 8-9 record as their sister (brother?) squad.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, we’ve got the usual 7-game Minor League slate with the DSL clubs get things started at 10:00am CST (Gold hosting Red Sox Red, Blue playing at Orioles Orange). The Milwaukee Brewers host the Rockies at 6:10pm, around the same time as the four full season MILB affiliate games commence. The Zone Crew play at the ACL Padres at 8:00pm CST.

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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