Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/23): Sproat-Kuehner No-Hitter and Bitonti Bombs Highlight Four-Win Sunday

[Ro Mueller]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Brandon Sproat, Tate Kuehner and Tyson Hardin dominated in Nashville’s doubleheader sweep. Eric Binonti’s homers drove Wisconsin to comeback win. Wilson won big, but Biloxi was blown out.

For the week, Nashville (3-2) was a series winner, while Wilson (3-3) earned a draw. Wisconsin (2-4) and Biloxi (1-5) both came up short.

 

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Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Nashville 2, Norfolk (Orioles) 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score
Game Two Final: Nashville 7, Norfolk (Orioles) 1 (in 7 innings)
Box Score

Via the Sounds’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Sounds First No-Hitter Since 2017 Highlights Twin-Bill Sweep - Nashville's Pitching Staff Goes 27.0 Innings Between Runs Allowed Since Wednesday

After Friday’s game was canceled and Saturday’s doubleheader was postponed with the first game’s opening batter OF Sal Frelick in a 3-1 count, the Sounds and Tides resumed play without issue on Sunday.

The linked game report by Nishant Brahme covers the two victories in detail, including video highlights of the no-hitter tossed by RHP Brandon Sproat (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) and LHP Tate Kuehner (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) in the opening contest and the team’s series-clinching win in the second game.

Sproat delivered his second straight shutout, combining with Kuehner to retire the first 20 Tides in consecutive order. Kuehner was also ahead of the 21st batter 1-and-2, but conceded a walk, then hit the next batter to suddenly bring the potential game-winning batter to the plate for Norfolk. In a 1-0 count, Tides’ shortstop Jose Barrero smacked a fly ball 343 feet to left field, which left fielder Tyler Black was able to corral as he crashed into the wall to preserve the win.

After failing to convert a two-on, one-out opportunity in the first inning of Game 1, Nashville didn’t record its next hit until SS Ethan Murray’s solo blast with one out in the top of the 5th inning. That was Murray’s second homer in a three-game stretch. Frelick (1-for-4) followed two batters later with a double before 1B Blake Burke (1-for-3, RBI) produced an RBI groundout for the game’s final margin.

Nashville was able to show off some newfound (but short-lived?) depth in the second contest, with recently-outrighted 2B Jihwan Bae and recently-optioned OF Brandon Lockridge sitting atop the lineup. Starting RHP Tyson Hardin (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks) was making his second start of the week, conceding a double in the first inning before retiring 10 of the next 11 batters in order (sole exception: harmless infield error in the 3rd inning).

Murray once again drove in the first run of the second game (RBI single to score 3B Brock Wilken, who’d doubled), with Bae following with a three-run homer three batters later for a 5-0 advantage. From there, Hardin, rehabbing RHP Joel Kuhnel (1 IP, 0 R, 1 K), LHP Jared Koenig (1 IP, 1 R, 0 Ks) and RHP Brett Wichrowski (1 IP, 0 R, 1 K) had minimal difficultly closing it out.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Bae (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs) exited alongside an “injury delay” note after singling in the top of the 4th inning, so we’ll have to monitor his status going forward. If he’s unavailable, then Murray and INF/OF Eric Brown Jr. will presumably continue handling the vast majority of the middle infield work.
• The first game of the doubleheader marked a return from injury by 3B Luke Adams (0-for-1, 2 walks), who had last played on August 9.
• Over the two games, Wilken (3-for-7, 2 doubles, RBI) and Black (2-for-5, 2 walks, RBI, SB) joined Murray (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs, SB) and Bae as offensive leaders.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (68-57) remains on the road, travelling down to Jacksonville (63-61) for six battles against the Marlins’ affiliate.

 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Rocket City (Angels) 8, Biloxi 1
Box Score

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details:

Thompson Strikes Out Seven, Shuckers Fall in Series Finale to Trash Pandas - Biloxi Drops Five of Six Games in Rocket City

Starting LHP JD Thompson (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 Ks) faced two-on, one-out jams in the first and fourth innings, as well as two-on, nobody out in the fifth inning, largely minimizing damage via strikeouts and ground ball double plays. However, two RBI singles in that first inning were already too much for the struggling Shuckers, who’ve now dropped 16 of their last 17 contests.

The first 15 Biloxi batters were retired in order before Rocket City starting pitcher Eybersson Polanco exited and OF Mark Coley II greeted the new hurler with a double to open the sixth inning, scoring via 3B Jheremy Vargas:

OF Braylon Payne added a single to give the Shuckers a two-on, one-out opportunity of their own while trailing 2-1, but SS Luis Pena popped out and OF Josh Adamczewski struck out to strand the baserunners.

RHP Travis Smith (1 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks) retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the 6th inning, but the next six reached base via hits or walks to blow open the game at 6-1.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• The last 14 Biloxi batters were retired in order, though that includes Pena’s 9th inning single where he was thrown out trying for second base. This was Pena’s first start at shortstop at the AA level, following his recent promotion.
• RHP Stiven Cruz covered the final two frames, but allowed a double and two-run homer within the first three batters.
• Though the offense undoubtedly struggled, Shuckers’ batters were only fanned five times. Of course, they also drew zero walks, as they’re perhaps pressing to make something happen.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (56-60) return home to face Cubs’ affiliate Knoxville (64-55), with the first of six games scheduled for Tuesday.

 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 7, Lake County (Guardians) 5
Box Score

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details:

Bitonti Blasts Two Homers in Rattlers Comeback Win - Rattler slugger has 22 home runs this season

We’re grateful to Wisconsin’s media team for compiling video highlights of their victory:

Be sure to also listen to the 18-minute Chris Mehring-Jonathan Timm post-game podcast, featuring 1B Eric Bitonti (4-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBIs), RHP Jacob Morrison and Manager Nick Stanley.

As you’ve read, seen and heard, Bitonti was the catalyst behind Wisconsin’s stellar comeback, tying the game with a single in the first inning, sparking a four-run fourth inning with a solo homer, then smacking another one over the fence for the Timber Rattlers’ first lead at 6-5 in the fifth inning.

While Morrison (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) dominated over the middle innings, C Edgardo Ordonez (2-for-4) doubled and 2B Daniel Dickinson (1-for-4, walk, RBI, SB) provided an important insurance run in the sixth inning, but two outs on the basepaths prevented more runs from coming across.

With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the 8th inning, RHP Michael Fowler (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 K) entered to register a swinging strikeout as part of his four-out, well-earned save.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• SS Brady Ebel game-tying, two-run double in the fourth inning came in a full count with two outs. 1B Tayden Hall (1-for-3, double, walk; .876 OPS) also continues his solid season.
• LHP Andrew Healy’s second start (third appearance) at the High-A level was a struggle this time out (3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks), partly due to two walks issued and a run-scoring wild pitch in Lake County’s four-run second inning.
• RHP Jose Nova (2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 K; 14.91 ERA) was called upon as an eighth inning bridge with Wisconsin leading 7-5, sandwiching a double between a strikeout and flyout, but then issued two walks to load the bases and make 5,769 home fans nervous.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (62-53) remain home this week, taking on Cubs’ affiliate South Bend (69-47), with the first of six games taking place on Tuesday.

 

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Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wilson 17, Salem (Red Sox) 8
Box Score

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details:

Warbirds Demolish RidgeYaks in Series Finale

Starting LHP Enderson Mercado (5 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) got his revenge on the RidgeYaks after a difficult Tuesday outing, while nine different Wilson batters each collected at least one hit and one RBI in their dominant road victory.

DH Carsten Sabathia (2-for-4, HR, 2 walks, RBI, SB) homered on the second pitch he saw, while C Kevin Garcia (3-for-5, walk, RBI) delivered a two-out RBI single to double the lead in the second inning. Garcia also singled to ignite the team’s three-run fourth inning, then earned an inning-opening walk in their nine-run sixth inning which saw 13 Wilson batters come to the plate.

OF Brailyn Antunez 2-run single
OF Handelfry Encarnacion 2-run single

2026 first round pick SS Trey Ebel delivered an RBI single, then recorded his first professional extra base hit, a double to extend the advantage to 13-1.

Unsurprisingly when scoring 17 runs, OF Brailyn Antunez had a big day: 3-for-6, triple, walk, 4 RBIs, SB). In all, seven different Wilson batters had multi-hit days, including INF Juan Ortuno (2-for-4, 2 walks, HBP, 2 RBIs, SB) and OF Jose Anderson (2-for-5, HR, walk, 2 RBIs).

Though they committed two fielding errors which contributed to five unearned runs, the Wilson defense also came through with five double plays converted.

Warbirds’ Extras:

• Ebel (2-for-4, double, walk, 3 RBIs, SB) exited in the bottom of the 7th inning, but hopefully this was just to spread around some offensive fun, with the team already leading 15-3. Substitute 1B Pedro Ibarguen went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
• LHP Joan Pena (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 1 H, 4 BB, 3 Ks), RHP Andrew Gaines (2/3 IP, 5 R (1 ER), 0 Ks) and RHP Cesar Espinal (1/3 IP, 1 BB, 3 WP, 1 K) all struggled with control in relief, though two fielding errors didn’t help.

Next week’s outlook: Wilson (63-54) hosts their final regular season series, this time against Rangers’ affiliate Hickory (71-46) for seven games, commencing with a doubleheader at 3:00pm CST on Tuesday.

 

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We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Monday is a day off for the Milwaukee Brewers and their affiliates, with all returning to action on Tuesday. The Brewers play at the Mets at 6:10pm CST on Tuesday evening.

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