Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/6): Alfaro and Old-Fashioned Grit Lead to 3-1 Sunday for Affiliates

[Ro Mueller]

For the week, Nashville (4-2) and Carolina (3-2) were series winners, while Biloxi and Wisconsin managed 3-3 splits against their respective foes.

Transactions:

• RHP Chad Patrick optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers

There’s also a strong expectation that 1B Andrew Vaughn will be recalled to the Show as a temporary replacement for the injured Rhys Hoskins: 

 Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 15, Memphis 11
Box Score and Game Log

C Jorge Alfaro canceled out a Memphis 1-0 lead with his 2nd inning solo homer, before the Sounds erupted in a 7-run third inning highlighted by 6 straight batters reaching base and SS Freddy Zamora’s 2-out, 101.7mph 3-run shot.

Starting RHP Logan Henderson was effective in his second start of the week (5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks in 76 pitches), while LHP Josh Maciejewski was solid for 2 2/3 scoreless innings before things got crazy (5 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks).

What followed were 8 consecutive Redbirds reaching base, including an inside-the-park homer, pitching change to RHP Jesus Liranzo and error which cut a 12-2 lead to 12-9 with the potential game-tying batter coming to the plate.

Thankfully Liranzo (1/3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) ended that rally with a 3-pitch K swinging and the Sounds went back to scoring more runs in the top of the 9th inning.

Sounds’ Extras:

• All 9 Sounds’ position players had at least 1 hit in their 16-hit barrage, with Alfaro (3 RBIs) and OF Drew Avans (3 RBIs, SB) both going 3-for-5. OF Jared Oliva had a double, single and 2 walks.
• LHP Bryan Hudson notched 3 strikeouts in the 9th inning (2 via sweeper, 1 fastball), but the single and 2-run homer also came off his sweeper.
• DH Andrew Vaughn was set to bat 3rd the lineup, but pulled before coming to the plate in the top of the 1st inning, likely headed to join the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville heads to Durham to battle the Rays’ affiliate for six games, commencing on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 4, Biloxi 3
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 Comeback Falls Short in Series Finale Against Blue Wahoos

RHP KC Hunt’s Tuesday start was curtailed at just 24 pitches after a rain delay, so he got a second chance to shut down Pensacola, but unfortunately conceded a solo homer to the fist batter of the game before C Darrien Miller evened things up one inning later:

Hunt settled in to some degree and the game was tied 2-2 before the Blue Wahoos benefitted from 3 infield singles off of Hunt (5 1/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) and LHP Mark Manfredi (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K) for 2 runs in the 6th inning.

Consecutive called strikeouts caused Biloxi to strand 2 baserunners in the bottom of the 8th inning. However, the good guys still cut the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning and appeared to load the bases on OF Luis Lara’s infield single, only to have Jheremy Vargas over-run 3rd base and get nabbed for the final out.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Kudos to RHPs Abdiel Mendoza and Bo Bowman for 2 innings of scoreless relief to give the Biloxi offense a chance to come through. OF Garrett Spain also deserves a note for his 1-for-3 day, including his 5th inning sacrifice fly and 9th inning single which loaded the bases with 1 out.
• We don’t have word on why SS Cooper Pratt was out of the lineup for the two weekend games, but his absence and an apparent rest day for INF Ethan Murray pushed Adam Hall into the defensive infield for the first time since July 2024.
• In addition to his 3-for-5 day at the plate, we can always count on OF Luis Lara’s defensive brilliance. 

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi stays home, welcoming White Sox affiliate Birmingham for a 6-game set commencing on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Wisconsin 1, Beloit 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Game One Goes to Wisconsin

Only one run was scored in Game One, but there was still drama:

Game Two Final: Wisconsin 7, Beloit 6 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, more game details: Wisconsin Rallies To Win Game Two; Gains Doubleheader Sweep of Sky Carp

Three extra innings and a second victory equals lots more video highlights:

Please don’t miss the 38-minute Mehring-Lobner post-game podcast, featuring comments from C Blayberg Diaz, RHP Jack Seppings and Manager Victor Estevez.

Everything ultimately came up roses as Wisconsin’s nail-biting doubleheader sweep sent 4,205 Timber Rattlers’ fans back into the work week happy. As you’ve read, seen and heard in the linked game reports, highlight videos and podcast, hits were tough to come by in the opening game, with the team’s combining for 5 hits and an 0-for-16 game with runners in scoring position.

Thankfully, Wisconsin notched the only extra-base hit, RBI and run in the form of OF Kay-Lan Nicasia’s 2nd inning double in that Game One victory, with the Timber Rattlers’ 2 errors, 2 wild pitches and 5 walks offset by 3 double plays, an outfield assist and 7 timely strikeouts.

In addition to starting RHP Manuel Rodriguez’s 3 scoreless innings in the opening contest, it was great to welcome RHP Tanner Gillis (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K) back from injury for his first action since May 30 as he started the nightcap.

Things admittedly looked bleak as Wisconsin brought its 7-8-9 batters to the plate trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the final scheduled (7th) inning of Game 2, but OF Tayden Hall’s 7-pitch, opposite field single to open the frame set the tone that the Timber Rattlers meant business.

Let’s show that Game 2 walk-off fielder’s choice which scored 3B Jadher Areinamo again:

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Every Wisconsin batter reached base via hit or walk in the second game, including Diaz’s 2-for-4, 3-RBI game, Hall’s 2-for-3 contribution and Areinamo coming through with a 3-for-4, 1-RBI effort.
• With understandably limited relief pitching options in their 6th game in 6 days, Wisconsin opted to go with Seppings (64 pitches, 2 IP on Thursday; 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks on Sunday) instead of RHP Bayden Root (35 pitches, 3 IP on Thursday).
• The team also had RHP Stiven Cruz toss 60 pitches over 3 innings (3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks), 5 days after a season-high 68 pitches for him. Well done to all for pushing their limits and contributing.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin hosts Cubs’ affiliate South Bend in the upcoming week, with rehabbing LHP Nestor Cortes expected to start Tuesday’s series opener.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Rained Out: Carolina at Fayetteville

Via the Mudcats’ website, rainout details: Mudcats Postponed Sunday

The Sunday postponement means Carolina win’s this week’s home-and-away series 3 games to 2 and the team’s will play a doubleheader at Fayetteville as part of a 7-game series on August 13.

This also gives me a reason to post the Timber Rattlers’ wiener dog race, as it was certainly more exciting that raindrops:

Next week’s outlook: Carolina will face Nationals’ affiliate Fredericksburg this week, commencing on Tuesday.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, our Dominican Summer League squads square off again to start our day’s baseball action at 10:00am CST. The Milwaukee Brewers host the Dodgers at 6:40pm CST and the ACL Brewers welcome the ACL Giants at 8:00pm CST.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[Joseph Zarr]

What a silly way to end a game by Vargas. Fundamental baseball. Fundamental mistake right there. I expect that type of error down in Carolina. In Double-A? That's a hard one to swallow.

[Ro Mueller]

47 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

What a silly way to end a game by Vargas. Fundamental baseball. Fundamental mistake right there. I expect that type of error down in Carolina. In Double-A? That's a hard one to swallow.

Yeah, I figure he must have either thought the ball had gotten away OR mis-heard the 3rd base coach.

I can still hear echoes from the ‘80s and ‘90s reverberating around my head of my Dad and other coaches yelling “GET BACK!!!!!”