Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/17): Rudy Dominates in Mudcats Win, But Bats Falter in Three Affiliate Losses

In a repeat of Tuesday’s results, the Carolina Mudcats were the sole affiliate to win on Wednesday night, dropping our minor league squads to a 2-6 record on the week thus far.

Wednesday’s Game Balls go to Will Rudy, Jesus Chirinos, Adam Seminaris, Noah Campbell and Robert Moore.

Transactions:

• RHP Lucas Erceg traded to the Oakland A’s (for cash) from AAA Nashville. This is one more twist in Erceg's epic journey to (hopefully, eventually) a long career in the Major Leagues
• OF Arbert Cipion assigned to High-A Wisconsin (last played September 9, 2022, also for Wisconsin)
• RHP Jake Cousins recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Durham 4, Nashville 0
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 Silenced in Durham

The Sounds had the sole late game amongst Brewers’ affiliates on Wednesday, but their bats had already slept off by game time, generating just one hit and striking out 14 times in the shutout defeat.

Three Quick Strikes:

• RHP Pedro Fernandez (3 1/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 4 H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) was relatively effective through the first two innings, but his night ended early at 66 pitches, after a solo homer in the 3rd inning and the first two batters reaching in the 4th inning (single, walk; both scored). The defense let him down with two errors and a passed ball.
• RHPs Tyson Miller and Thyago Vieira combined on 4 2/3 scoreless innings (1 hit, 2 BB, 6 Ks) to keep the Sounds in the ballgame throughout. 29-year old Vieira continues to throw 99mph consistently and has yet to allow an earned run in 2023 in 7 2/3 innings pitched.
• The Bulls tried to be generous, committing three errors of their own, walking six Sounds (including 1B Jon Singleton three times) and hitting one batter, but Nashville’s lumber couldn’t come through, stranding nine runners. Newly-added right fielder Michael Reed went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Thursday’s outlook: I’m guessing Nashville will opt for a bullpen game (e.g. LHP Alex Claudio to open?), unless RHP Caleb Boushley is recalled early from the Development List. The Sounds needs a victory to get back to 2-1 in the series.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Chattanooga 2, Biloxi 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Seminaris Ties Career-High with Seven Innings, Shuckers Fall to Lookouts, 2-0

Losing a fourth straight game doesn’t get more frustrating than this, as the Shuckers went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 men on base (vs. just four men left on base for the Lookouts):

• 1st inning: 2 of first 3 batters reached base, but didn’t score
• 3rd inning: 4 of first 5 batters reached base, but didn’t…
• 4th inning: 3 of first 4 batters reached base, but…
• 5th inning: 3 of first 4 batters reached base, …
• 6th inning: 2 of first 4 batters reached base…
• 9th inning: first 2 batters reached…

Three Quick Strikes:

• LHP Adam Seminaris (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) collected his fourth loss of 2023, but the organization will be happy that he put together a second consecutive decent start after a rough commencement to the season.
• After right fielder Noah Campbell (1-for-1, 4 walks; .900 season OPS) singled to start the game, Chattanooga pitchers wanted nothing more to do with him, walking him the next four times up. Campbell also gunned down a runner at home to end the 7th inning. Is it time to test out 23-year old switch hitting Campbell in AAA ball?
• Left fielder Tristen Lutz returned from a month-long injury absence, going 1-for-5. However, both he and center fielder Jackson Chourio (1-for-5) stranded seven men on base during their at-bats.

Thursday’s outlook: RHP Justin Jarvis (2.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 33 IP) gets the start, as the Shuckers need a victory to claw back to 2-1 in the series.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 5
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Drop Decision to Quad Cities

The River Bandits were a bit relentless in this game, outhitting Wisconsin thirteen to eight and going 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position, stranding a whopping 16 baserunners. They also stole six bases and weren’t caught even once (troubling for C Darrien Miller, whose defensive development is a major focus). The Timber Rattlers’ loss was their third in a row.

Check out the video highlights as compiled by the Wisconsin’s excellent media team.

We’ve also got another Chris Mehring and Kyle Lobner post-game podcast for your listening pleasure, including comments on 1B Ernesto Martinez (exited early with knee tenderness), Matt Wood and others from Manager Joe Ayrault.

Three Quick Strikes:

• Starting RHP Tyler Woessner (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 Ks) dealt with more traffic than usual but limited the damage, ultimately exiting early in the 5th inning after reaching 87 pitches.
• LHP Karlos Morales managed to strand two inherited runners in that 5th inning, but then conceded three runs of his own in the pivotal 6th inning, as the 7th-year minor leaguer was tagged with the loss. In all, the bullpen of Morales, Ryan Brady, Michele Vassalotti and Brandon Jordan conceded eight runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 IP.
• 2B Robert Moore (2-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs) is not yet out of his hitting slump (.182 season AVG), but he was clutch in the 7th inning, doubling in a run and scoring on a ground out to cut the deficit to 6-5.

Thursday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Cornielle (6.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 12.2 K/9 in 21 1/3 IP) will try to turn the tide for Wisconsin, who trail their home series 2-0 against Quad Cities.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 7, Kannapolis 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: First Place Mudcats Blank Ballers 7-0

Let’s be grateful for the Mudcats, who were the sole winning affiliate for the second day in a row, dominating the Cannon Ballers from start to finish in this game, including outhitting them 10 to 4 and not committing any errors (vs. two errors for Kannapolis).

RHP Will Rudy (5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) managed to breeze through his five innings on just 62 pitches, as I’m sure excitement among Brewers’ brass grows regarding their 2022 5th round draft pick. He did not concede any extra base hits.

Have a look at many beautiful strikeouts here and check out the Mudcats’ Twitter feed for the offensive highlights:

Three Quick Strikes:

• Eight players in the lineup reached base two times, with 1B Jesus Chirinos (2-for-4, 4 RBIs) having his best game of 2023 as he rediscovers his stroke. It was also good to see left fielder Hedbert Perez (2-for-5, double) record a double and a single with no strikeouts.
• RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K) closed out the 9th inning in his first game since September 2, 2022, while Chase Costello (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) was solid over three scoreless innings.
• 3B Luke Adams (1-for-3, double, walk, 2 RBIs) knows how to get on base (.397 season OPS, despite a .184 AVG that’s supressed by a .213 BABIP) and get in scoring position from there, stealing his 11th base in this game. SS Daniel Guilarte (1-for-4, walk, SB) also stole his 16th base while extending his on-base streak to 35 games (including five games last year).

Thursday’s outlook: RHP Aidan Maldonado (4.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 18 IP) and LHP Nate Peterson (3.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 12.2 K/9 in 23 2/3 IP) are scheduled start two ends of a doubleheader (with Carolina "hosting" one game on the road to make up for a prior rain-out), as the Mudcats seek a 4-0 series lead.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck to all teams in their Thursday night contests, including the Mudcats doubleheader!

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