Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/15): Black, Aquino and Devanney Lead the Way as Affiliates Win Six Games

It was a terrific day across most of the Brewers’ system, as teams won six of seven games and the Mudcats welcomed OF Luis Lara back to a lineup in desperate need. Only Wisconsin fell in a tough one-run affair.

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Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Gwinnett 3
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: Devanney's Heroics Gives Sounds Third-Straight Win Over Stripers

After not pitching for eight days, a refreshed RHP Caleb Boushley limited contact in keeping the Stripers off the board through the first five innings, while a tie-breaking 2-run blast from 2B Cam Devanney delivered the Sounds’ third straight victory at home over Gwinnett.

Take a gander at the Sounds’ Twitter feed to see Devanney’s homer, a confident LHP Clayton Andrews strut off the mound after cleaning up danger in the 8th inning and other highlights.

Sounds’ Extras:

• SS Brice Turang and 3B Mike Brosseau are starting to find their stroke, hitting homers in the 5th and 6th innings to give Nashville a 3-0 lead.
• After starting the season late due to injury, then understandably struggling over his first month, 2B Cam Devanney has found his groove since May 24th, connecting on a first pitch, 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning to win the game.
• Rehabbing RHP Matt Bush and AAA debutant RHP Abner Uribe struggled with walks and an error each, which enabled Gwinnett to tie the game at 3-3 by the 8th inning. Thankfully LHP Clayton Andrews had less difficulty, stranding two runners in the 8th inning and earning the 4-out save.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Eric Lauer will make his first start since being optioned to AAA ball, after two difficult rehab outings with the Sounds (4 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 12 H, 4 BB, 6 Ks).

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 6, Montgomery 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Twirl Seventh Shutout of the Year to Win Third Straight

RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez, LHP Ryan Middendorf and RHP James Meeker were dominant in the 2-hit, 3-walk, 12-K shutout, with no Montgomery playing even reaching third base in the game, giving Biloxi a 2-0 series lead on the road.

Leading the team in most offensive categories, 3B Tyler Black got the party started with a 3rd inning RBI double and added a solo homer to lead off the 5th inning, while Isaac Collins came through with a clutch 2-out, 2-run single in the 4th inning. 

Shuckers’ Extras:

• We’ll set the concern-o-meter at 2 of 10 for Rodriguez, who exited at just 60 pitches after two walks in the 4th inning. Fanatic watcher wiguy94 commented in the daily forum that no trainer visited the mound, so the current assumption is that this was a planned short start.
• Back in the comfort of AA hall after a rough 10-game stint at AAA Nashville (7.71 ERA), Middendorf stranded those two baserunners, allowing just one of six batters to reach base (a harmless walk).
• Four innings, no runs, eight Ks, no walks was exceptional from Meeker, achieved in just 56 pitches (a season high).

Friday’s outlook: The Shuckers and Biscuits have a rare doubleheader to make up an earlier rainout, with RHP Justin Jarvis (2.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 62 2/3 IP) starting one of the games.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Great Lakes 3, Wisconsin 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Loons Edge Rattlers 3-2

The Timber Rattlers battled but lost their second straight one-run game at Great Lakes to fall behind 2-1 in this week’s series.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Starting RHP Cameron Wagoner has been markedly better over his last 3 games, but 3 runs in 5 innings is still a 5.40 ERA, so there remains room for improvement.
• 24-year old LHP Luis Amaya (3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) continues to impress as a multi-inning reliever, averaging nearly 40 pitches per outing.
• As close as the game appears, Wisconsin only had one batter make it as far as second base over the game’s final seven innings. Coming away with just two runs on their 5 singles and 3 walks in the first two innings was a missed opportunity.

Friday’s outlook: It’s been a rough season thus far for RHP Stiven Cruz (6.91 ERA in 43 IP), who now faces the task of turning it around against one of the top minor league clubs Great Lakes (41-18 season record).

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 7, Augusta 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Aquino Totals 7 Ks in Streak Snapping Victory

Center fielder Luis Lara returned to action after missing most of the Mudcats’ 8-game losing streak, as the team erupted for 14 hits in support of a terrific start from RHP Patricio Aquino (4 1/3 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks). 

 Mudcats’ Extras:

• Lara was a willing spark plug for the offense, walking and stealing a base in the 1st inning, singling and scoring in the 3rd inning and doubling in 4th inning as the Mudcats jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
• Don’t look now, but 20-year old Aquino just lowered his ERA to 1.82 after retiring 13 of 14 batters, placing him 6th in the 12-team Carolina League (min. 30 IP).
• Every spot in the lineup grabbed at least one hit, with five players notching two hits. Of particular note, SS Gregory Barrios had a triple, single, two RBIs and two stolen bases.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Vallecillo (1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 in 20 IP) is scheduled to start as Carolina aims to even the series 2-2.

Arizona Complex League Action

Final: ACL Brewers 6, ACL Angels 5
Box Score / Game Log

Our young men in Arizona improved to 6-2 in this 7-inning affair, bolting out to a 6-1 lead through four innings before nearly giving it all back in the top of the 5th inning.

ACL Brewers’ Extras:

• 20-year old RHP Jesus Rivero (4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) had a terrific outing in his first start (second appearance) of the year, lifting his season strikeout total to an eye-popping 13 in just 8 1/3 innings pitched.
• 18-year old RH reliever Daniel Corniel commenced poorly (single, two hit-by-pitches, 3-run homer) before retiring eight of the last nine batters.
• Every spot in the lineup was productive (led by 22-year old center fielder Reidy Mercado and rehabbing 3B Josh VanMeter combining on four hits and an RBI), with seven batters collecting hits, one walking twice and the remaining batter grabbing an RBI. Don’t be surprised if Mercado makes his way to Carolina soon and VanMeter re-joins the Nashville squad.

Dominican Summer League Action

Final: DSL Brewers #2 Squad 11, DSL Giants Orange 8
Box Score / Game Log

A 7-run first inning on six singles and three walks put the Dos Squad in a comfortable position, but the game was 10-7 by the 5th inning as they had to hang on to improve their season record to 4 -4.

SS Roderick Flores, big-money signing 2B Filippo Di Turi and 3B Luis Lameda provided most of the offense, combining to go 8-for-13 with a double, two walks, and eight(!) RBIs.

On the mound, 16-year old RHP Melvin Hernandez (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks) made his second start, exiting with a comfortable 8-2 lead after three innings, while 18-year old RHP Justin Caceres (3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) overcame steady traffic to lock down the final three innings to earn the save.

Final: DSL Brewers #1 Squad 5, DSL Angels 2
Box Score / Game Log

The Uno boys continued their hot start, improving to 6-2 on the back of terrific pitching from 18-year old LHP Jose Meneses (3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks) and 17-year old RHP Eric Prado (4 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 6 Ks).

At the plate, SS Joan Gutierrez continues to show why he’s atop the batting order, reaching base three times to set the tone. 2B Luiyin Alastre added two doubles, but the franchise bosses may be most excited about $1.5 million bonus center fielder Yophery Rodriguez (1-for-3, HR, walk, RBI) hitting his first home run in the Brewers’ organization.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck in Friday’s 8-game MILB slate!

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