Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/2): Sounds Try for a Third Straight Walk-Off, But Fall Short in Extras

The only Sunday Game Balls that I can accord go to Jason Junk (5 strikeouts and 1 run in 5 innings) and his batterymate Brian Navarreto (1-for-4, RBI; threw out both attempted base-stealers), who put the club in a position to win.

Transactions (yeah, there are a few, as AA Biloxi, High-A Wisconsin and Low-A Carolina each announced their season-opening rosters):

• Assigned to Low-A Carolina: RHP/1B Quinton Low, INF Daniel Guilarte, LHP Nate Peterson, RHP Nick Merkel, C Jhonnys Cabrera, C Matthew Wood, OF/INF Kay-Lan Nicasia, C Blayberg Diaz, 3B Luke Adams, RHP Patricio Aquino, INF Gregory Barrios, LHP Jakob Brustoski, RHP Aidan Maldonado, 1B/3B Jesus Parra, RHP Tyler Wehrle, RHP Miguel Guerrero, RHP Tanner Shears, RHP Shane Smith, RHP Chase Costello, 1B/C Tayden Hall
• Assigned to High-A Wisconsin: OF Terence Doston, LHP Luis Amaya, RHP Taylor Floyd, RHP Tyler Woessner, RHP Michele Vassalotti, INF Eric Brown Jr., INF Robert Moore, 1B Jesus Chirinos, RHP Cameron Wagoner, C Jose Sibrian, OF Hendry Mendez, RHP Max Lazar, OF Je’Von Ward, RHP Joseph Hernandez, RHP Kaleb Bowman, RHP Ryan Brady, C Alex Hall
• Assigned to Double-A Biloxi: C Jeferson Quero, INF/OF Tyler Black, OF Carlos D. Rodríguez, INF/OF Isaac Collins, OF Lamar Sparks, RHP Carlos F. Rodríguez, LHP Adam Seminaris, RHP Tobias Myers, RHP Justin Yeager, RHP Christian Mejias, LHP Darrell Thompson

Game Action:
Final: Louisville 5, Nashville 2 (final in 10 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Fall to Bats in Third Straight Extra-Inning Contest

Looking for a season-opening three-game series sweep, Nashville grabbed a 2-0 lead against old friend Chase Anderson in the 2nd inning, as four straight batters reached with two outs: Designated hitter Payton Henry singled; second baseman Eddy Alvarez walked; shortstop Andruw Monasterio cracked an RBI single; and Navaretto added another.

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the 7,134 fans in attendance, those would be the only Sounds runs to cross the plate on this day.

The Bats clawed a run back with a two-out walk and RBI double in the 4th inning, then tied the game at 2-2 in the 6th inning via a Joey Votto single and a Nick Martini RBI double off left-handed reliever Clayton Andrews.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, first baseman Jon Singleton doubled with one out and moved to third base on a wild pitch, but the significant opportunity was squandered by a Skye Bolt pop-up and a Henry groundout. Singleton’s double was the last Nashville hit of the game.

A similarly frustrating scenario followed in the 7th inning, as a leadoff hit-by-pitch and walk went for naught due to a Navaretto strikeout and a Sal Frelick lineout double play. This was part of a rare 0-for-4 day for Frelick, though he still managed to extend his regular season on-base streak to 44 games with a 5th inning walk, before being caught stealing.

In reality, the game became a battle of bullpens, with Louisville being just a touch better. Bats’ relievers held the Sounds scoreless over five innings, while Louisville eventually got through against RHP J.C. Mejia and the Nashville defense in the top of the 10th inning. Cam Robinson, Ethan Small and Mejia had combined on three scoreless innings, before Mejia went back out to try his luck on a second inning.

In that fateful 10th, a playable ground ball (ruled a single) got through Monasterio, before Mejia walked two straight batters (the second walk plating a run) in a failed attempt to get the home plate umpire to consistently call low strikes. A second ground ball made it through the Sounds’ defense (an error on Singleton) to score two more runs, before Alex Claudio came in to maintain a respectable final score by retiring the final two batters via groundout.

Three Quick Strikes:

• With the injuries to Adrian Houser, Aaron Ashby and Jason Alexander, Janson Junk finds himself as the sixth or seventh MLB starter in the organization (alongside Bryse Wilson), so this terrific opening effort (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K) has to give him and Brewers’ brass some confidence. He even retired rehabbing MLB veteran Joey Votto via infield pop-out and full-count strikeout.
• Clean-up required: Six errors through three games is not the way to get the job done, perhaps highlighting the injury-related absences of infielders Cam Devanney and Josh VanMeter. Let’s hope that Monasterio and Alvarez, in particular, can find a solid groove manning the middle infield until their teammates return (hopefully soon!).
• Ordered from above?: Seeing catchers Henry, Navaretto and Alex Jackson as designated hitters in each of the first three games (ahead of the likes of Singleton, Hiura or Tyler Naquin) seems likely to stem from an intentional effort to maximize batting opportunities for catchers, in case any is called to the majors on short notice.

This week’s outlook: The Sounds (2-1 record) travel to Memphis (1-2 record) for a six-game series which commences on Tuesday, with RHP Robert Stock expected to make his Nashville debut.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report!

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