Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/28): Hardin, Bitonti, Encarnacion, Nieman Key Four Thursday Victories

Transactions:

• OF Jacob Hurtubise activated by AAA Nashville from Development List
• RHP JB Bukauskas placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• Signed RHP Bryce Schaum and assigned to ACL Brewers

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 2, Gwinnett (Braves) 0
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 Shutout Stripers on Thursday Night

It’s not exactly clear how a pitcher can struggle in AA, then suddenly turn a corner and thrive at higher levels, but Tobias Myers did it in 2023-24 and RHP Tyson Hardin appears to be repeating the feat in 2026 (7.67 AA ERA, 0.96 AAA ERA).

With six scoreless innings on Thursday, pitching on 4 days’ rest no less, the 24-year-old Hardin (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) has now allowed just 2 earned runs in 18 2/3 AAA innings. He retired 18 of 21 batters faced, though the 1st inning did end on a 106.7mph line out to center field with 2 runners on base.

OF Luis Lara (2-for-3) doubled but was stranded in the 4th inning, then tripled home SS Cooper Pratt (1-for-3) for a 1-0 lead in the 7th inning.

The late offensive surge gave the Sounds’ stout bullpen the opportunity to collect a Win (RHP Reiss Knehr – 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks; 2.35 ERA) and a Save (RHP Craig Yoho – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks; 1.13 ERA).

Sounds’ Extras:

• Nashville’s outfield collected 4 of the team’s 5 hits, including a Luis Matos (1-for-3) RBI double and Akil Baddoo reaching base twice (1-for-3, walk).
• This was an uber-quick contest in front of 6,421 Nashville fans, finishing 9 innings in 1 hour, 57 minutes, helped by just total 3 walks issued. Chances were few, as the team’s combined to go 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Robert Gasser (back in AAA after 2 MLB starts) is the scheduled starter, as Nashville seek to extend their series lead to 3 games to 1.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Rain Out: Biloxi at Columbus

Via the Shuckers’ website, rain out details: Shuckers, Clingstones Postponed on Thursday in Columbus

Before the rains came and scuttled things, the main news was that SS Jesus Made was back in the listed starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s doubleheader defeat due to illness. Hopefully the extra time will also allow OF Damon Keith (last played on May 23rd) to return to action.

Friday’s outlook: After his planned Thursday start was rained out, RHP Brett Wichrowski (6.70 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 41 2/3 IP) is most likely to get the call for Friday’s game, with Biloxi needing a win to avoid a 3-0 series hole. The teams have also planned a doubleheader for Saturday.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 13, Peoria (Cardinals) 11
Box Score

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Survives Slugfest with Peoria

Thanks again to the terrific Wisconsin media team for the detailed game report and extensive video highlights:

Make sure not to miss the Mehring-Timm 16-minute post-game podcast, featuring Manager Nick Stanley, Josh Knoth, Eric Bitonti and David Garcia.

The Timber Rattlers led 2-0 and 4-2 early but found themselves facing a 7-5 deficit entering the bottom of the 7th inning. But boy did they turn it around in front of 1,984 home fans, with 7 consecutive batters reaching base (3 singles, 4 walks), including SS Luis Pena’s RBI knock which gave them an 8-7 advantage.

24 runs, 25 hits, 20 walks and 1 HBP can make for an entertaining, longer game (3 hours, 37 minutes). Thankfully, Wisconsin managed to cover the 9 innings with just 3 pitchers, versus 5 hurlers and a position player for the opposition.

While starting RHP Josh Knoth (3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 1 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks) and RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) had respectable lines, Rodriguez did allow a 3-run triple the first batter he faced, further tarnishing RHP Travis Smith’s middle relief tally (4 1/3 IP, 9 R, 11 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks).

That cut Wisconsin’s advantage to 12-11, but Rodriguez rallied with a strike out and ground out to strand the baserunner at 3rd base and escape the top of the 8th inning. He also induced the game-ending ground out with two runners on base in the final frame.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Bitonti (3-for-4, triple, 2 doubles, walk, 2 RBIs), C David Garcia (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs), Pena (2-for-3, 3 walks, RBI, SB) and 3B Andrew Fischer (1-for-2, 4 walks, 2 RBIs) were the most significant offensive contributors on a busy day. 2B Daniel Dickinson also walked 4 times and OF Josiah Ragsdale singled and walked twice.
• Knoth’s 56 pitches (34 strikes) in his 5th outing of 2026 (including 3 rehab starts in Arizona) was a robust amount after missing the 2025 season due to injury.
• OF Braylon Payne hasn’t played since May 21st, though we’re hopeful he’ll feature soon as he’s not been placed on any injured list.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Ethan Dorchies (7.18 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 31 1/3 IP) is still looking for his 2025 form (2.74 ERA that season), though is ready to make his 9th start of 2026 as Wisconsin seeks to grab a 3-2 lead in this week’s 7-game series.

Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wilson 4, Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 3
Box Score

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Encarnacion Wills Wilson to Comeback Win

The detailed game write-up covers the come-from-behind victory very well, with OF Handelfry Encarnacion (4-for-5, double, 2 RBIs, SB) sparking the rally and Wilson scoring all their runs in the final 3 innings.

The Warbirds outhit their opponents 10-to-4, but a 2-for-14 performance with runners in scoring position made life more difficult. This included failing to cash in on 2-on, nobody out opportunities in the 1st and 3rd innings.

The 7th inning looked like it may be a repeat, as 3B Filippo Di Turi (1-for-3, walk) and DH Luis Lameda opened with back-to-back singles and were still on base 2 outs later, but Encarnacion delivered the big game-tying hit:

Four of the team’s hits were doubles, including back-to-back two-baggers by OF Jose Anderson and 1B Frederi Montero to take the lead in the 8th inning:

Massive credit to starting LHP Enderson Mercado (5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 8 Ks) and LHP Andrew Healy (4 IP, 1 R, 3 Ks) for allowing only 4 hits, 4 walks and 1 HBP over 9 innings to give Wilson a chance for the comeback victory.

Warbirds’ Extras:

• Seven Wilson batters collected at least one hit, including SS Brady Ebel (1-for-3, 2 walks) extending his hitting streak to 12 games.
• Kudos to the defense for turning two double plays, including a GIDP to escape a 2-on, 1-out situation in the bottom of the 8th inning while leading 3-2. The box score also credits a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play in the 7th inning, though I didn’t include that in the total.

Friday’s outlook: 20-year-old RHP Jarrette Bonet (4.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 in 42 2/3 IP) is scheduled to make his 10th start, with Wilson aiming to extend its series lead to 3-1.

Final: ACL Brewers 4, ACL Dodgers 3 (in 7 innings)
Box Score

RHP Caleb Nieman (4 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 H – single), 1 BB, 4 Ks) had a breakout performance with 4 innings of solid relief work to earn his first career Win, entering a scoreless game in the 2nd inning and exiting with a 4-1 advantage a few innings later.

Despite going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, the Zona Crew still produced the necessary offense, with 1B Roderick Flores walking and scoring on a balk for a 1-0 lead, 2B CJ Hughes tripling and scoring on OF Engel Paulino’s RBI single for a 2-1 advantage in the 4th inning, then Flores bringing Paulino home with a sacrifice fly.

OF Alexander Frias (1-for-3, walk; 1.189 OPS) continues to impress with his stateside play, smacking his 3rd homer of 2026 with a solo blast in the 5th inning for a 4-1 lead. RHP Bryan Regalado entered in the penultimate inning and put the first three batters on base (BB, HBP, RBI single) before getting 6 outs from the next 7 batters (including a GIDP) to earn his first career Save.

6’5” RHP Luke Roupe’s 2nd start of 2026 went undamaged (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks), helped out by an inning-ending ground ball double play, one of three turned by the Brewers’ defense. The team also stole six bases, led by Paulino (1-for-3, walk, RBI, 2 SBs).

Hughes (2-for-4, triple, RBI, SB) and SS Cristopher Acosta (2-for-4, SB) each collected two (2) hits. Hopefully the victory did not come at a cost, as DH/OF Brailyn Antunez exited one inning after being hit-by-pitch.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, five Minor League contests begin with games for Wilson and Biloxi at 6:05pm and end with the ACL Brewers at 8:00pm CST. The Milwaukee Brewers also commence their series in Houston at 7:10pm.

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