Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/20): Meccage and Spain Deliver Two Wins on Sunday for Affiliates

For the weekend, Carolina (3-0), Nashville (2-1) and Biloxi (2-1) were all series winners, while Wisconsin dropped its series 1-2 despite outscoring its opponent 18-10 over 3 days.

Transactions:

• INF/OF Tyler Black recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Indianapolis 7, Nashville 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Comeback Falls Short in Series Finale Loss

Usually-reliable RHP Logan Henderson (4 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 1 WP, 2 Ks) was only able to get through 3 2/3 innings on 78 pitches, with a full count walk and 0-2, 76.8mph exit velocity double setting him back in a 3-run first inning.

A walk, run-scoring wild pitch and another full count walk with 2 down in the 4th inning meant the end of Henderson’s evening, trailing 4-0 at the time.

Ground ball double plays erased solid opportunities for the Sounds’ offense in the 3rd and 5th innings, but OF Drew Avans broke the seal with a 1-out homer in the bottom of the 7th inning.

In that same 7th inning, singles from 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. (2-for-4 in his first game since July 12), OF Jimmy Herron (1-for-3 in his first start since June 15) and OF Daz Cameron (2-for-4, walk, RBI) cut the deficit to 5-3 with 2-on, 1-out, but C Jeferson Quero hit into his second GIDP of the contest.

Sounds’ Extras:

• RHP Justin Yeager (1 IP, 0 R, 0 Ks) made a successful AAA debut, while RHPs Joel Payamps and Jesus -Liranzo (2 Ks) each also delivered a scoreless inning of relief. RHP Easton McGee (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) was not as fortunate.
• 3B Bobby Dalbec notched 2 hits and 2B Ray Delgado went 1-for-3 with a walk and his 28th stolen base.
• In an encouraging sign for his healing shoulder, Quero did throw out an attempted basestealer in the 2nd inning, going 1-for-4 in that department.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville gets to stay home, welcoming White Sox affiliate Charlotte for 6 games, commencing on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 6, Montgomery 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Five-Run First, Strong Bullpen Performance Leads Shuckers to Series Win

OF Garrett Spain’s 2-out, 3-run homer helped chase Montgomery’s starter in a 5-run first inning, with the Shuckers needing every run to help LHP Nate Peterson (1 1/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K) in his first start since May 29. Spain also doubled in his 2-for-4 day, notching the only 2 extra-base hits of the game.

RHP Zach Peek (3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks) was the game’s top pitcher, entering with a 5-4 lead, the bases loaded and 1 out in the bottom of the 2nd inning. He stemmed that tide with a strikeout and ground out en route to retiring 11 of 12 batters faced over just 47 pitches (season high).

From there, it was a game of Hold on for Dear Life, with RHP Ryan Middendorf (1 IP, 0 R) hitting consecutive batters in the 6th inning, LHP Mark Manfredi issuing 3 walks and an HBP in a 1-run 7th inning and RHP Nick Merkel escaping after allowing two singles to start the bottom of the 8th inning.

RHP Tyler Bryant entered to slam the door in the bottom of the 9th inning, striking out 2 batters swinging on 7 pitches before exiting in worrisome fashion. Per @biedergb, a regular Brewers’ MILB watcher who’s also active in our Minor League Forum: “Now Bryant one strike away from the save a points to his elbow. Yikes. He’s coming out. Ugh. Not good at all.”

Shuckers’ Extras:

• One pitch from LHP Brian Fitzpatrick was all he needed to finish off Bryant’s final batter (old friend INF Gregory Barrios) and earn the Save.
• RHP Bo Bowman only threw 2 pitches in the game, but he induced the ground out to strand 3 inherited runners in the bottom of the 7th inning to maintain the Shuckers’ 6-5 advantage.
• OF Bladimir Restituyo went 2-for-4, with his 4th inning insurance run proving valuable in extending Biloxi’s lead to 6-4. OF Luis Lara reached base 4 times (2 singles, 2 walks), C Darrien Miller had 2 RBIs and SS Cooper Pratt ended an 0-for-19 skid with a 7th inning single.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi return home to take on Angels’ affiliate Rocket City, with RHP Alexander Cornielle (3.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 79 2/3 IP) scheduled to start the series opener on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 4 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, more game details: Rattlers Fall in Ten at Cedar Rapids

Starting RHP Tanner Gillis (3 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 1 K) and his counterpart combined to retire the first 16 batters of the contest, from which point Chris Mehring’s jam-packed game report (linked above) captures the lows, highs and key video highlights.

The Timber Rattlers were out-hit 9-to-5, but actually had more opportunities (2-for-11, stranding 10 baserunners) thanks to drawing 6 walks and turning 2 double plays.

OF Luiyin Alastre contributed 2 of the team’s hits, being stranded after singling to open the 7th inning, then coming through with the 2-out, game-tying RBI single in the 8th inning. Unfortunately, that was the Timber Rattlers’ last hit of the contest.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• DH Hedbert Perez (1-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) and C Andrick Nava (1-for-4, walk, RBI) joined Alastre in reaching base twice, while Eduardo Garcia (0-for-2, 2 walks, HBP, SB) came aboard 3 times.
• RHP Patricio Aquino (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) had the team’s best pitching line, while RHPs Yerlin Rodriguez (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K) and Jack Seppings (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) also tossed scoreless relief.
• While INF Filippo Di Turi got a rest day, 2B Josh Adamczewski (1-for-4) was in his customary place atop the lineup.

Next week’s outlook: The Timber Rattlers stay on the road, taking on Royals’ affiliate Quad Cities, with LHP Sam Garcia (3.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 in 65 2/3 Low-A/High-A IP) slated to start the 6-game series starting on Tuesday.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 5, Delmarva 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Complete Sweep of Delmarva

The Mudcats’ formidable top of the lineup came through once again, with DH Jesus Made (1-for-2, double, 2 walks), SS Luis Pena (1-for-4, RBI, SB) and OF Jose Anderson each notching hits in the 1st inning to grab an immediate 3-0 lead.

From there, the RHP Bryce Meccage (5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks in 64 pitches) show was calming to watch, as he recorded 15 outs against 16 batters faced, helped by an outfield assist from Anderson and a caught stealing by C Yannic Walther.

Walther (1-for-3, walk) walked and scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 4-1 in the 7th inning, as RHP Griffin Tobias (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) continued the lock-down effort.

19-year old OF Pedro Ibarguen has quietly had a terrific season thus far (.886 OPS in 139 ACL/Low-A plate appearances), but had only played in one game since July 4, thankfully shaking off the rust to notch his first homer in Low-A ball on a 3-1 count in the top of the 9th inning.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• A single, everybody’s-safe-fielder’s-choice and error had briefly allowed Delmarva to narrow the gap to 4-2 against RHP Bryan Rivera in the bottom of the 8th inning, but Rivera (2 ground outs, 1 K) and RHP Dikember Sanchez (3-up, 3-down 9th inning with 2 Ks) capably kept the Shorebirds grounded.
• 1B Eric Bitonti, 3B Gery Holguin and OF Reece Walling combined on a 0-for-10 day with 8 Ks, with Bitonti adding a sacrifice fly and also committing an error.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina returns home to face White Sox affiliate Kannapolis for 6 games commencing on Tuesday.

Final: DSL AL All-Stars 10, DSL NL All-Stars 8
Box Score and Game Log

The NL All-Stars started with a bang, as Padres’ INF Abraham Bastidas smacked his first professional homer: a grand slam in the bottom of the 1st inning for a 4-0 lead.

The first Brewers’ representative to enter the contest was 18-year old Jonathan Rangel in the bottom of the 4th inning with the NL squad holding a 7-5 advantage at that point. Rangel recently converted to catching and ended up spending 4 innings behind the plate, but unfortunately did not have his best day: K swinging, ground out, 0-for-2 throwing out basestealers, one error.

Brewers’ 17-year old LHP Joan Pena (old video below) came into the contest with 1-on, 1-out in the top of the 7th inning, sandwiching a walk between 2 pop-outs to keep the NL team ahead 7-6 by that point.

A rough 8th inning for Cubs’ LHP Frankelly Desis saw the AL All-Stars take the lead for the first time. Rangel was due up with 2-on, 1-out in the bottom half of the inning, but understandably exited for another All-Star sub and the team came up empty.

Brewers’ 16-year old RHP Steven Duran was called in to pitch the top of the 9th inning, conceding an infield single before getting a caught stealing, fly out and ground out to end the Brewers’ contributions.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, the Dominican squads return to action at 10:00am CST (DSL Brewers Blue at DSL LAD Bautista; DSL Brewers Gold hosting DSL Cubs Blue), while the ACL Brewers (29-28) play at the ACL Reds (23-34) at 8:00pm CST. Also, the Milwaukee Brewers play at the Mariners at 8:40pm CST.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Interested in learning more about the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!