Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/11): Fernandez, Avina, Hiura, Warren Lead Affiliates to Five-Win Night

Thursday’s Game Balls go to Eduarqui Fernandez, Keston Hiura, Jace Avina, Justin Jarvis, Adam Seminaris and Zavier Warren (yes, an extra ball for an extra victory), with an honorable mention to Will Rudy.

Transactions:

• OF Michael Reed signed to a minor league contract
• RHP Phili Silverio released by ACL Brewers Gold
• C Alex Jackson was activated from AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list
• RHP Harold Chirino was activated from AA Biloxi from 7-day injured list
• RHP Pedro Fernandez transferred to Development List by AAA Nashville
• INF/OF Isaac Collins placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list
• RHP Edrian Robinson was activated by ACL Brewers Blue
• INF Beyker Pastran was assigned to ACL Brewers Blue
• RHP Jesus Rivero was assigned to ACL Brewers Blue
• C Jason Ollarve was assigned to ACL Brewers Blue from ACL Brewers Gold

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 4, Gwinnett 2
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: Pitching Dominates in Sounds Win

Keston Hiura’s relentless power (12th homer) turned around an early 1-0 deficit and the bullpen retired 23 straight to finish off an impressive victory and give Nashville a 2-1 series lead. 

Three Quick Strikes:

• After principally mashing on low strikes last month, leftfielder Hiura (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs) has clearly reached another level of mastery over the past week, initially fouling off high strikes and now smacking them for hits to all fields. Having partially restored his value at the plate and shown at least some competency in left field, the organization has a major decision of whether to promote or trade Hiura.
• It was bullpen game from the get-go, with LHP Alex Claudio giving up a run in the 1st inning, then RHP Tyson Miller (3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) allowing another in the 2nd inning, after which the squad were lights out, striking out a season high 19 batters. LHP Clayton Andrews, RHP Jake Cousins and RHP Trevor Megill combined on five scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts.
• It appears that center fielder Monte Harrison’s (1-for-3, 2 SBs) initial struggles (errors, strikeouts) were truly a function of rust, as he’s really come around in all facets of late. He singled, stole two bases and scored on a SS Andruw Monasterio (1-for-3, SF, RBI; 9-game hitting streak) sacrifice fly for a key late insurance run.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Caleb Boushley is on an excellent four-game stretch (2.21 ERA in 20 1/3 IP) and is scheduled to start the fourth game of this week’s series.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Biloxi 2, Rocket City 0
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Biloxi 9, Rocket City 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Outscore Trash Pandas 11-1 in Doubleheader Sweep

It was domination across two games for the Shuckers, outscoring the Trash Pandas 11-1, outhitting them 13-4 and even out-walking them 11-4 in 14 innings on Thursday, giving Biloxi a 3-0 series advantage.

Along with Biloxi’s twitter feed, catch some fun highlights and RHP Justin Jarvis’ (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks; 2.18 season ERA) after-game interview here.

Three Quick Strikes:

• After outhitting Rocket City 8-2 in a scoreless first 3 2/3 innings of the opening game of the doubleheader, Zavier Warren (2-for-6, HR, HBP, 5 RBIs) came through with the 2-run blast in the bottom of the 4th inning to give Jarvis the only runs required.
• This was easily LHP Adam Seminaris’ (5 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks) best game of the season, facing only 18 batters in five terrific innings and earning his second victory in the process.
• Although Jarvis left the opening game after only 79 pitches, it was great to see RHP Justin Yeager make his first appearance since an injury exactly one month ago. The flamethrower faced four batters, walking one and striking out one in the 6th inning.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Tobias Myers gets the ball as Biloxi aims to clinch the series win early tonight. Myers needs better luck than his last two starts (8 IP, 8 R, 10 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 12 Ks).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 3, South Bend 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Fernández Hits Late Homer to Send Rattlers to Victory

Be sure to check out the highlights from the Timber Rattlers’ terrific media team.

Down 1-0 with 2-on, 1-out in the bottom of the 7th inning, one could not help but wonder how the Timber Rattlers might squander the chance to break their 8-game losing streak and claw a game back against the Cubs.

Just listen to the joy and relief in announcer Chris Mehring’s voice when center fielder Eduarqui Fernandez (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs) hammered this 1-2 pitch over the wall for a 3-run lead.

Three Quick Strikes:

• The pressure on the pitching staff is immense when your offense is in the doldrums, so give credit to RHP Tyler Woessner (5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks) for battling through to limit South Bend to only one run.
• This is the best performance we’ve seen from LHP Russell Smith, who retired all six batters, five of them via strikeout in earning a deserved win. Credit as well goes to LHP Justin King (0.00 season ERA) and RHP Bo Bowman (fifth save).
• Left fielder Terence Doston may be a slap-hitter at this point in his development, but he’s also a gifted athlete, stealing two bases and throwing out a runner trying for third as key contributions.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Cornielle (5.29 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 11.1 K/9 in 17 IP) gets the start, as Wisconsin looks to square the series 2-2 tonight.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 4, Fredericksburg 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Rudy Gets First Career Win in 4-3 Carolina Victory

Similar to the Sounds, Carolina grabbed an early lead and held on, thus avoiding a third straight loss against mediocre Fredericksburg (10-18 record).

Three Quick Strikes:

• Seeing RHP Will Rudy (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks) in action has been well worth the wait. Drafted in July 2022, we’ve only now gotten to see the 5th round selection out of Cal Poly Pomona in two starts over the past week (congrats to him on turning 22 years old and earning his first victory!). He only needed 65 pitches to cover five innings in this game.
• It took him 22 games into the season, but right fielder Jace Avina (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB) finally had a multi-hit game, reaching base three times and extending the team’s lead from 2-1 to 4-1 with his 2-run shot in the 5th inning.
• The game nearly fell apart in the top of the 6th inning, as the first five Nationals reached base against RHP Jeferson Figueroa, cutting the lead to 4-3 with the bases loaded and nobody out. However, Figueroa bore down to strike out the next two batters (the second on a full count) before RHP Chase Costello (3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) escaped the inning (another K). Costello ultimately retired 10 of the 12 batters he faced in a well-earned save (his first).

Friday’s outlook: RHP Aidan Maldonado (3.77 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 14 1/3 IP) is scheduled for his third start (sixth appearance), with Carolina needing a win to even the series 2-2.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Good luck to all teams in their Friday night clashes!

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