Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/25): Wisconsin Wins, Biloxi’s Boeve Triples Twice in Thursday Action

Transactions:

• Signed RHP Carlos Carra and assigned to DSL-Brewers 1
• RHP Joseph Hernandez assigned to High-A Wisconsin from ACL Brewers (returning to the level he played in 2023)

Thank you to BrewerFanatic Verified Member ARobsBrewCrew for updating us on the injury to RHP Ryan Birchard, who’s “dealing with an oblique issue and his absence should end up being a matter of weeks rather than months (hence the 7-day IL placement).  All things considered, non-elbow issue = good news.”

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes (not yet available at press time)
Final: Louisville 9, Nashville 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Nashville's Late Rally Not Enough in Loss to Louisville

Watching LHP Aaron Ashby (3 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 5 BB, 1 WP, 4 Ks) struggle with control for 60 pitches, then ultimately get hit hard when his velocity drops below 94mph remains a tough experience, I’m sorry to say.

The five walks were issued in the first two innings (amongst the first 10 batters Ashby faced), before a first-pitch, bases-clearing triple was crushed at 112.2mph to put Nashville behind 4-2 at that point.

The 4th inning ultimately decided this game, with the Sounds squandering a 2-on, nobody out opportunity (K, shallow fly, fly out), then Ashby giving up a double and 2-run homer when asked to extend himself beyond 81 pitches (he totaled 95 in the end, with 49 strikes).

Sounds’ Extras:

• RHP Kevin Herget was also extended further than expected, throwing 50 pitches for the highest total in his last 37 games played. The results were solid, at least giving his teammates a chance to get back into the game in the middle innings: 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks).
• C Eric Haase (2-for-4, double, RBI) was the offensive bright spot, delivering a 2-out, RBI single to help Nashville to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning, then smacking a double which nearly turned the tide in the Sounds’ favor in the 4th inning.
• By all appearances, 28-year old RHP Enoli Paredes remains the top reliever for the Sounds, providing another 3-up, 3-down inning with 2 strikeouts here to lower his season ERA to 1.80. He’s most likely not in Milwaukee due to being on a minor league contract and the fact that (even if he’s added to the 40-man MLB roster) he can’t be freely optioned back to the minors.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Chad Patrick (3.46 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 in 13 IP) is scheduled to make his 4th start of 2024, with the Sounds desperate for a win since they trail the series 3 games to zero thus far.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 6, Biloxi 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Boeve Makes History with Two Triples in Shuckers 6-5 Loss to Pensacola

The three runs scored in the 1st inning against starting RHP Tyler Woessner (5 1/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 8 Ks) were the first three batters he faced in the game, with each Pensacola player smacking a double to the opposite field, followed by an error to allow the third run in.

Only two of the first 13 Shuckers’ hitters reached base: both in the form of triples by 3B Mike Boeve (2-for-4, 2 triples, run), who was stranded in the 1st inning after reaching base with one out, then scored on a 2-out RBI single by C Darrien Miller (extending his hitting streak to 6 games) to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the 4th inning.

Despite this being a road game and a loss, Biloxi’s media team led by Javik Blake came through with numerous highlights, including this one: 

Three players had the chance to play hero, coming up as the potential game-tying run in the top of the 9th inning: 1B Ernesto Martinez ground out, right fielder Lamar Sparks ground out, center fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez line out.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Although Boeve got the headlines, Zavier Warren (2-for-4, HR, double, 2 RBIs; playing left field this game) actually had the bigger hits: solo homer to trim the lead to 3-2, then a 9th inning double in the 3-run rally which fell short. https://twitter.com/BiloxiShuckers/status/1783651818653753847
• It’s been a tough campaign for Sparks thus far; .157 AVG, .380 OPS. In this game, he was also unable to come through in the 7th inning with 2-on, 2-out, down 4-2 (flied out).
• RHP Shane Smith (2 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) did well to strand a runner for Woessner via back-to-back strikeouts, but then ran into trouble himself by conceding two runs the following inning.

Friday’s outlook: A week ago, Biloxi was celebrating their 8th straight victory, but now they’ve gone down in four consecutive games and trail Pensacola 3-0 in this series. RHP TJ Shook (2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 11.9 K/9 in 13 2/3 IP) gets a chance to turn the series around tonight.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, Peoria 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Bullpen Shuts Down Peoria

Wisconsin was the sole affiliate to grab a Thursday victory, but when I check the box score to highlight key performances, I see:

• Zero extra base hits and 7 hits total
• A starting pitcher (RHP Will Rudy) who gave up 3 runs in 5 innings
• 0-for-2 on stolen base attempts
• 2-RBI center fielder Luis Lara knocked them in via walk and HBP, including the RBI-HBP to give the Timber Rattlers a 4-3 lead in the 7th inning

So it was a Team victory, punctuated by going 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position, committing zero errors and having a lockdown bullpen: 4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K by RHPs Will Childers, Aaron Rund and Chase Costello.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Rudy (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) was solid if not spectacular, walking none and needing only 67 pitches (50 strikes) to get through his five innings. The three runs came via two Peoria homers.
• SS Gregory Barrios may not have added to his league-leading doubles total, but he did knock in runs via groundout (3rd inning for a 2-1 lead) and single (7th inning insurance run for 5-3 advantage).
• 2B Dylan O’Rae and right fielder Eduarqui Fernandez collected two singles each, with Fernandez also drawing a walk and scoring two runs.

Friday’s outlook: Talented 21-year old RHP Brett Wichrowski (1.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 11 IP) gets the call, as Wisconsin aims to push their series lead to 3-1.

Final: Salem 3, Carolina 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Fall at Home To Salem

RHP Jesus Rivero (4 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks) was able to work out of a 2-on, 1-out jam in the 2nd inning, but Salem made him pay in the 3rd inning via a 3-run homer which was enough for the Red Sox to finally defeat Carolina in their 6th attempt of 2024.

18(!) strikeouts by Mudcats’ pitchers is phenomenal, but perhaps less so when we see that Salem also K’d 17 Carolina hitters. Did the home plate umpire have somewhere else to go (2 hours, 29 minute game time)?

The 6th inning proved pivotal, as DH Cooper Pratt and 1B Tayden Hall were left stranded on three consecutive strikeouts, the last two called strikes on frustrated Carolina hitters.

Salem retired the final 12 Mudcats in order, including 3 Ks in the final inning.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Pratt went 1-for-3, but more importantly was able to stay in the game despite being hit by pitch on the hand in the 1st inning.
• It was a night for most pitchers to stat-hog, with the Mudcats’ bullpen taking advantage: RHPs Jeferson Figueroa, Morris Austin and Bayden Root combined for 4 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 12 Ks.
• 18-year old center fielder Yophery Rodriguez (1-for-4, double, RBI) produced the team’s only extra base hit and RBI.

Friday’s outlook: 18-year old RHP Josh Knoth (3.24 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 8 1/3 IP) is due to make his 4th start of 2024, as Carolina aims for a 3-1 series lead.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck to all squads in their Friday contests.

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