Tue. 8/5 - 2024 15th round RHP Travis Smith Makes T-Rat Debut (Along with Two Other Guys)

[Joseph Zarr]

After striking out swinging at an off-speed ball in the dirt in his first AB, Made strikes out looking in a 3-2 count at a dead center heater. Can't happen. That's two very ugly AB's for the young man. He's been slumping before the promotion. He looks like the same slumping hitter. Have to be ready for that. He strands two. 0-for-2, 2 K. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Muddies plated two on some small ball taking advantage of the throwing error in the failed force out/DP attempt early. They trail 5-3 and they are in the seventh now.

[Joseph Zarr]

And the rain begins to fall in Zebulon. Looks like a steady drizzle. Now it's pouring. 

[biedergb]

DiTuri throws a dart on the relay to get the runner at home.  Very nice play by Rodriguez and DiTuri, saved a run or more.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, biedergb said:

DiTuri throws a dart on the relay to get the runner at home.  Very nice play by Rodriguez and DiTuri, saved a run or more.

Rodriguez has low key had an awesome night in LF. Really fantastic D out there in every opportunity. 

[biedergb]

Lara with a grounder that could be a double play but goes under the glove, and it’s a single that scores a run

Boeve then grounds out for a GIDP to end the inning.….. baseball

[Joseph Zarr]

3 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Lara with a grounder that could be a double play but goes under the glove, and it’s a single that scores a run

Boeve then grounds out for a GIDP to end the inning.….. baseball

Well, it would have been an out at 1B. Restituyo started at 2B on that ball. Boeve has just had a nightmare season for the most part. Can't get in the field at all. Suddenly can't really hit either. 😅 Recovering from injury is not a linear process.

[Joseph Zarr]

We have a Low-A submariner out of the Lynchburg Pen. He mixes in a 12-6 overhead delivery as well. Yowza. Spicy Low-A looks here!

[Joseph Zarr]

AND, why wouldn't the home plate ump call a K looking on Bitonti 4" off the plate? It's been a strike all night. This ump is brutal. After the lead off double, Adamczewski K's looking, Handelfry K's swinging, and Bitonti goes down looking at a ball strike. On to the 8th. 5-3 deficit.

[Joseph Zarr]

And, it's off to you @biedergb. Time to pause for Farm Chores. Take us away (if you're still here - lol).

[Joseph Zarr]

My ongoing contention with Wichrowski:

Inconsistent and not sharp.

We are deep into this season and he still can't put together consistency of any kind. Two down in the 4th? How about a BB, WP, BB, and RBI single up the middle to see the game tied 3-3. Two forked balls in the dirt for WP in his outing. 

He is here deep in his second season and I have yet to see him stack anything of any kind for any amount of prolonged period of time. He has all the tools in the world, as I've said repeatedly, but he has only given us tantalizing glimpses of what he is likely capable of. He is send packing after 88 pitches in 3 2/3 IP. Not a good outing.

[Joseph Zarr]

Meanwhile, the Mudcats are 1-for-14 with RISP trailing 6-3 in the 8th. Reyes got unlucky with an absolute goose snort RBI flare into RF for that sixth run in the top of the 8th. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Peek strands Wichrowski's two runners on mess with a full count swinging K on a gorgeous breaking ball that dipped below the zone. Gutsy pitch. On to the 5th. 3-3 game.

[RedStickBrew]

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Oh hey, another poke for Adamczewski. Huh. Who knew? I wonder if he'll get hot? 

[Joseph Zarr]

Three walks for Burke tonight. The man continues to get on base. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Made. 10 pitch triple to the RF corner. Beautiful AB. Lovely to see! That's an RBI in there to boot. 

Make that 1-for-15 with RISP. Rodriguez grounds out into the 8th inning ending double play with runners on the corners.

[Joseph Zarr]

Nova has been pitching much better of late. Throws to the bases are absolutely still adventures. Bitonti likely should catch the ball but Nova has no touch and lasers throws over there. This one was high and outside. Bitonti obviously wasn't expecting the ball there. Bitonti charged with the error regardless.

[Joseph Zarr]

Back to back K's for Nova after the lead-off single to RF and BB. I'm telling you (for the 3rd or 4th time? LOL) he absolutely has stuff. It's a matter of fine-tuning his control. Too much Yerlin - ie spaz - in his arsenal but lotta goods. Heavy action on his mid-90's heater. Has a couple breakers with really nice late movement. He goes another scoreless frame tonight. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I have seen RHP Shelby Miller's first inning as a Brewer. It was absolutely as I advertised to you. 

Utter. FILTH.

Whew dang.

[Joseph Zarr]

Peek has come aboard and not only stranded Wichrowski's two runners. BUT, he's gone 2 1/3 IP of scoreless work. He's really found a groove in Biloxi and I am here for it. He's a competitive guy. He wants it. And, he has some goods to get it.

[Joseph Zarr]

BOEVE!!!! WALL SCRAPER TO RF. HIS 5TH OF 2025. YEAH BABY!!!! Shuckers grab the late 7th inning 4-3 lead. 

[Joseph Zarr]

That's an extremely impressive long ball for Boeve. You love to see it. It's really not easy to go yard in Knoxville's air. You hear about it all the time in the Southern League.

[Joseph Zarr]

Ugly start to Manfredi's relief outing. Walks first batter on 5 pitches (tho, let's be honest, he was absolutely squeezed on pitch one). He then hits the next batter up and in. Clips him. Immediately two aboard. Nobody out. 4-3 Shuckers lead. Bottom 7.

[Joseph Zarr]

Fly out to RF, Runner tags 3B. Vargas dropped the ball and the runner had slid past the bag. Dang. Runners on the corners. One down.

[Joseph Zarr]

AND, Manfredi's nightmare continues. He throws what essentially was a no look pick-off (?) to 1B. He airmails it. Runner scores. Tie game. Runner at 1B heads to 3B.

What is it with Brewers Minor League pitchers and their consistent inability to throw accurate pick-off throws? It is a real issue. That was ugly.