Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/2): Henderson and Gray Lead Carolina and Wisconsin to Sunday Wins

All affiliates are back in action on Monday for a special set of “Independence Day Eve” games.

Transactions:

• OF Hendry Mendez activated from High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list
• LHP Nate Peterson activated from Low-A Carolina’s 7-day injured list
• RHP Pedro Fernandez activated from AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• RHP Luis Contreras promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Memphis 9, Nashville 8 (in 10 innings)
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 Drop Dramatic 10-Inning Contest to Redbirds

Nashville’s five-game win streak came to an end in an entertaining back-and-forth affair in front of just 2,860 fans in Memphis (92 degrees, clear skies, wind blowing out to center field – what gives, Redbird fans?).

Starting RHP Pedro Fernandez (5 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 1 K) was rusty after an injury sidelined him for 16 days, giving up three home runs in five innings and exiting down 5-3, but Nashville mounted comebacks via a three-run 7th inning (to lead 6-5) and two-run 9th inning to send the game to extra innings.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Left fielder Keston Hiura (2-for-5, double, 3 RBIs) and 1B Abraham Toro had key RBI doubles in the comeback, with Toro knocking in the tying run with two outs in the top of the 9th inning. Eight of the nine lineup spots registered at least one hit, with 3B Mike Brosseau notching his fourth home run and 2B Josh VanMeter producing two singles and an RBI.
• After the Sounds went 3-up, 3-down in failing to bring home the ghost runner, RHP Luis Contreras was thrust into the pressure cooker in his first AAA action since May 5, giving up a walk-off single to the second batter of the frame.
• While RHPs Abner Uribe and Thyago Vieira were solid in the ‘pen (combined 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks), RHP Peter Strzelecki (1 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K) was not sharp in his first minor league outing since August 2022.
• On the Promotion Watch, center fielder Sal Frelick (2-for-4, walk) and DH/OF Tyrone Taylor (1-for-3, walk, HBP) both contributed, as they alternate center field duties from game-to-game.

Monday’s outlook: Nashville’s already won the series (up four games to one), but RHP Caleb Boushley (4.63 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 72 IP) will try to make it a 5-1 week.
 

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Mississippi 9, Biloxi 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Jeferson Quero Hits Team-Leading 12th Home Run in Loss to M-Braves

Tied 2-2 after five innings, this game didn’t appear headed to blowout territory until starting RHP Christian Mejias (5 1/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 Ks was asked to extend himself beyond 91 pitches, ending his day with a double and a walk before handing over to struggling RHP Ryan Middendorf.

Earlier, C Jeferson Quero (3-for-4, HR, RBI) had given Biloxi a 2-1 lead with his team-leading 12th homer of 2023:

You’ll see a few more highlights at the Shuckers Twitter feed.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Middendorf (2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks), still searching for his 2022 form, allowed three of the first four batters to reach as Mississippi grabbed a 5-2 lead and never looked back.
• Quero and SS Freddy Zamora (2-for-4, RBI) had five of the Shuckers’ six hits, with the rest of the team going 1-for-24.
• RHP Cam Robinson’s nightmare 2023 continued with a three-run 9th inning. His AAA ERA this year was 6.75 and now his AA ERA is 10.91.

Monday’s outlook: RHP TJ Shook (5.40 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 36 2/3 IP) will make his third start of the season, as Biloxi needs a victory in the series finale to tie it up at three games apiece.
 

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, Quad Cities 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Holds On for 5-4 Win at Quad Cities

The Timber Rattlers started fast in support of starting RHP Jacob Misiorowski (4 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks, 1 WP), putting two runners in scoring position in the 1st inning, then plating five runs over the next two frames for an early 5-0 lead.

Little did they know that they’d register zero hits over the next 5 2/3 innings, needing to hold off the River Bandits with pitching and defense to escape with a 5-4 victory and 3-2 series lead.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Center fielder Joe Gray Jr. (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) and C Matt Wood (1-for-4, double, walk, 2 RBIs) had the big 2nd inning hits, each driving in two runs in that frame, before right fielder Hendry Mendez (1-for-4, HR, RBI) made his presence known with a solo shot to lead off the 3rd inning. This was 19-year old Mendez’s first game back with Wisconsin since a May 10 injury and he made solid contact all evening.
• RHPs Nick Merkel (3 1/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks) and Sam Gardner (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K) were up to the task of keeping Quad Cities at bay, with Gardner earning his second save since joining the Timber Rattlers exactly one month ago.
• Unsurprisingly, neither SS Eric Brown Jr. nor INF Eduardo Garcia was in the lineup after exiting games early on Saturday and Friday, respectively. Robert Moore manned shortstop and Jose Acosta played second base, with C Darrien Miller and OF Terence Doston likely the only position players available on the bench. We await news on the seriousness of injuries to either player and hope they’re only dealing with bruises.

Monday’s outlook: RHP Cameron Wagoner (6.96 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 54 1/3 IP) gets a second crack against the River Bandits this week, with Wisconsin seeking a win to claim the series four games to two.
 

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 7, Down East 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Carolina Wins Second Straight 7-3 in Kinston

Starting RHP Logan Henderson (5 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 Ks) and center fielder Luis Lara (3-for-4, walk, RBI) got back to their previous excellent form, with Henderson throwing a season-high 75 pitches to grab his first win of 2023 and Lara reaching base three times in the first four innings to help Carolina take a 4-1 early lead.

The win was the Mudcats’ second in a row and they’ll get a chance to even the series on Monday.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Elder statesman (at 24 years old) C Jose Sibrian (2-for-4, double, HBP, 2 RBI) is now 12-for-his-last-34, opening the game’s scoring with a two-run double, while right fielder Jace Avina (1-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) came through with a two-run homer in the 9th inning to give the Mudcats some needed breathing room.
• LHP Nate Peterson (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) returned for his first official game since being injured 31 days earlier, picking up nicely where Henderson left off.
• Usual contributors 3B Luke Adams and SS Gregory Barrios had a day to forget, however, going a combined 0-for-10 with five strikeouts (four Ks for Adams). Credit goes to left fielder Hedbert Perez for a 2-hit day, as well as 2B Jheremy Vargas (single, 2 walks) and 1B Jesus Chirinos (single, 2 walks, HBP) for reaching base three times and four times, respectively.
• RHP Jeison Pena entered in the bottom of the 8th inning with a 5-1 advantage and unfortunately struggled to hold it, allowing two full count walks and a single as the Wood Ducks made the contest competitive late. RHP Yerlin Rodriguez closed out the game with a scoreless 9th inning after Avina’s blast.

Monday’s outlook: 19-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (4.47 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 48 1/3 IP) gets the call to try to even the series. Will this be the game where rehabbing OF Luis Castillo and 1B/C Tayden Hall return?

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck in Monday’s special 7-game MILB slate!

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