Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/13): Affiliates Drop Three One-Run Games Before All-Star Break

In our Minor League system’s roughest week in some time, Nashville managed a series draw (3-3), while each of Biloxi (0-6), Wisconsin (1-5) and Carolina (2-3) lost their series.

Transactions:

• RHP Easton McGee optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
• OF Blake Perkins completed rehab and optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
• OF Drew Avans of AAA Nashville designated for assignment

Of course, the Brewers also drafted 5 exciting players on Sunday (including #20 pick 3B Andrew Fischer and #32 pick SS Brady Ebel), with another 17 selections expected to join them in Monday’s draft action.

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Durham 4, Nashville 3
Box Score and Game Log

Throwing on 4 days’ rest, starting LHP Bruce Zimmermann certainly deserved a better outcome as he delivered 5 innings of 3-hit ball with no earned runs allowed and 6 strikeouts, but unfortunately a 4th inning error eventually contributed to 2 runs coming across to give Durham a 2-1 lead.

For Durham, it was a bullpen day, with rehabbing Major Leaguer Shane McClanahan throwing 1 2/3 innings to kick things off. He baffled several Sounds’ hitters with his change-up, but OF Daz Cameron (2-for-3, double, walk, HBP, RBI, SB) wasn’t fooled as he doubled and scored on a 1B Tyler Black single for a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning.

The Sounds stranded two baserunners against a tiring reliever in the 5th inning before RHP Will Childers struggled in relief for the 2nd time in 3 days – conceding 2 runs on 2 doubles, 2 singles and a walk before LHP Bryan Hudson stranded 2 baserunners for him.

2B Ray Delgado (2-for-4, 2 SBs) doubled and scored on a wild pitch to narrow the gap to 4-2 in the 7th inning, but Nashville stranded baserunners at 2nd and 3rd in that frame.

Finally, OF Blake Perkins doubled and Cameron drove him home with a 1-out single in the top of the 9th inning to make it a 4-3 game with the potential game-tying run on base, but Black K’d looking and 3B Bobby Dalbec hit it 309-feet to left field for the final out (instead of a 2-run homer).

Sounds’ Extras:

• RHPs Craig Yoho and Joel Payamps looked good in relief, retiring all 6 batters faced on a combined 27 pitches (21 strikes).
• Per the summary above, readers can deduce that Nashville left some opportunities on the field, stranding 10 baserunners vs. 7 for Durham.
• SS Freddy Zamora and OF Jared Oliva saw their 15-game and 14-game on-base streaks end, combining with OF Drew Avans on an 0-for-12 day.

Next week’s outlook: After 4 days off to rest, recuperate and enjoy watching the MLB All-Star game and related events, the Sounds (53-38) will host Pirates’ affiliate Indianapolis (55-37) for three games commencing on Friday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Birmingham 4, Biloxi 3 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Shuckers Drop Series Finale in Extras to Barons

Starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 4 Ks) struggled on 4 days’ rest, but OF Adam Hall (outfield assist) and RHP Zach Peek (2 stranded inherited runners) helped limit the damage to keep it a 3-1 game through 3 innings.

From there, Hall (2-for-3, double, walk, 2 RBIs) kept up the contributions and the Biloxi bullpen delivered 7 1/3 exceptional innings (0 earned runs), while the Shuckers’ offense was able to tie the game 3-3 but not quite put the team in front.

In a great chance to walk it off, Hall walked to lead off the bottom of the 9th inning and Luis Lara (2-for-4, walk, SB) contributed an infield single, but the team stranded 2 baserunners as the game went to extra innings.

All six Shuckers and Barons’ batters were retired in the 10th inning, including 5 via fly out. However, Birmingham’s fly outs were sufficient to move the Manfred around to score, while Biloxi’s ghost runner remained glued to second base.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Peek (2 1/3 IP, 1 K), LHP Mark Manfredi (2 IP, 2 Ks), RHP Bo Bowman (1 IP), RHP Justin Yeager (1 IP, 1 K) and LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (1 IP, 1 R (0 ER)) each did their part to try to make 1,508 home fans happy.
• SS Ethan Murray doubled in the 8th inning and also drew a walk to go into the All-Star break with an .863 OPS. By contrast, DH Cooper Pratt had an 0-for-5 day, but the team is pleased to have him back after dealing with a sore left (non-throwing) shoulder (per Adam McCalvy).
• Biloxi was 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, stranding 9 baserunners, while the Barons went 3-for-9 and left 8 men on base.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (49-38) gets a chance to end its 7-game losing streak on Friday, as they’ve a 3-game series at Rays’ affiliate Montgomery (47-40).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: South Bend 5, Wisconsin 4
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, more game details: Late Comeback Falls Short for Rattlers

Despite a close loss, Wisconsin’s terrific media team has compiled terrific video highlights for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH6-O0TPprQ

Please also catch the 25-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, featuring Manager Victor Estevez.

OF Eduardo Garcia (3-for-4, HR, double, RBI, SB; .776 season OPS) nearly hit for the cycle as the Timber Rattlers kept it close, but he was stranded in the 1st and 3rd innings and grounded into a double play in his final at-bat.

As Manager Estevez explained on the podcast, starting RHP Sam Garcia (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K) was expected to throw 3 innings on 4 days’ rest, but was lifted an inning early due to a blister while the team led 2-1.

From there, two 4th inning errors helped put Wisconsin in a 4-2 hole, but RHP Jack Seppings (2 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 2 Ks) managed to strand 2 baserunners in that inning and RHP Patricio Aquino (2 IP, 0 R) escaped a 2-on, nobody out situation in the 5th inning with the help of a ground ball double play.

After Eduardo Garcia’s solo homer narrowed the score to 4-3, the teams combined to retire 13 consecutive batters, setting the stage for drama in the final 2 innings.

3,242 home fans were on the edge of their seats as OF Yhoswar Garcia (1-for-3, sacrifice, SB) stood 90 feet from tying the game with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th inning, but the Cubs’ bullpen was able to lock it down with 2 strikeouts and a game-ending groundout from SS Jadher Areinamo (0-for-5, no Ks).

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• 2B Juan Baez (2-for-4, RBI) has increased his production since the calendar turned to July (.303 AVG and .758 OPS in 40 PAs), coming through with a 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the 8th inning to make it a 1-run game.
• 1B Blake Burke also had a 2-for-4 day with a double to lift his season average to .313 and OPS to .839.
• LHP Jesus Broca (2 IP, 1 R, 3 Ks) and RHP Bayden Root (1 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks) effectively covered the final 3 innings to give the Wisconsin offense a chance to pull it out.

Next week’s outlook: The Timber Rattlers (40-46) travel to Twins’ affiliate Cedar Rapids (51-35) for three games starting on Friday.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Postponed: Fredericksburg at Carolina

Via the Mudcats’ website, rainout details: Mudcats Postponed Sunday

The postponement paused OF Braylon Payne’s terrific run of form (10-game hitting streak, with homers in 2 of his last 4 games), but also protected arms – e.g. LHP Wande Torres had been expected to start on 4 days’ rest. The teams expect to make up this game in Fredericksburg in the first week of September – i.e. the final scheduled series of the year for both squads.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (48-35) returns to game play on Friday with a 3-game series at Orioles’ affiliate Delmarva (34-53).

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, the Rookie squads remain in action, with DSL Brewers Blue (17-12) hosting DSL Padres Gold (20-10) at 10:00am while their brethren DSL Brewers Gold (13-17) play at DSL Orioles Orange (12-18) at the same time. The ACL Brewers (27-25) also play at the ACL Dodgers (27-26) at 12:00pm CST.

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