Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/30): Jimenez and Chourio Lead Wisconsin and Biloxi to Sunday Wins

For the week, the Mudcats and Shuckers went undefeated (12-0). The Timber Rattlers also won their series 4-2, while the Sounds split six games.

Transactions:

• RHP Peter Strzelecki recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville (for injured Julio Teheran)
• RHP Aidan Maldonado activated from Low-A Carolina’s 7-day injured list
• LHP Russell Smith activated from AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Norfolk 6, Nashville 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: Sounds Humbled by Tides in Series Finale

With RHP Jason Alexander (4 2/3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 10 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks, 1 WP) making his second start of the week, the Tides pounced to take leads of 3-0 by the 2nd inning and 6-2 by the 3rd inning in cruising to a Sunday win over our Sounds.

Sounds’ Extras:

• C Brian Navarreto (2-for-3, double, walk, RBI) was the surprise offensive catalyst on this day, singling and scoring in the 3rd inning, walking but stranded at third base in the 4th inning, then doubling in a run in an attempted 9th inning rally. After Navarreto, three Nashville batters then came to the plate representing the potential game-tying or winning run, but all came up empty.
• The bullpen of LHPs Darrell Thompson, Clayton Andrews and Alex Claudio covered 3 1/3 scoreless innings to give the offense a chance, with Thompson impressing in particular (3 Ks, retired all four batters).
• Promotion Watch: DH/INF Luis Urias went 0-for-3, but had a sacrifice fly and was hit by a pitch. Keston Hiura had the day off.
• Outside of Navarreto, the main offense came from 3B Patrick Dorrian (solo homer, two walks) and SS Cam Devanney (double, single). Right fielder Tyler Naquin was ejected in the 4th inning, apparently for arguing over a pitch timer violation.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (54-46) hosts Rays’ affiliate Durham (55-47), with rehabbing Brandon Woodruff expected to make his third and final rehab start in the opening game. Rehabbing 3B/RF Brian Anderson is also expected to play for the Sounds this week.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 14, Birmingham 1 (in 8 2/3 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Break Out the Offense and the Brooms in Rain-Shortened Series Finale

This game was actually close through 5 ½ innings, with the Shuckers escaping a 5th inning jam with a 2-1 lead before erupting for the 10-run 6th inning to the delight of 2,606 home fans.

In the end, eight of the nine Biloxi lineup spots recorded at least one hit, with center fielder Jackson Chourio (2-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) leading the way. 

You can see more of the hit parade at the Biloxi Twitter feed.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Other highlights from the outburst: 2B Felix Valerio (HR, walk, 2 RBIs) smacked a 2-run homer, while each of Zamora (double, walk, HBP, 3 RBIs), 1B Tyler Black (double, walk, HBP, 2 RBIs) and left fielder Tristen Lutz (two singles, walk) reached base three times.
• Converted starting RHP James Meeker (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) was making his second start of the week, but managed to shut down the Barons despite having to extend to 86 pitches after SS Freddy Zamora’s 16th error came with two outs in the top of the 5th inning.
• Kudos to C Brent Diaz (2nd inning RBI single to give Biloxi a 1-0) for contributing after not playing for much of the season, as well as RHP Zach Vennaro, LHP Nick Bennett and LHP Russell Smith for combining on 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
• At last year’s trade deadline, the trio of Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Joey Wiemer were promoted to AAA. Will we see the same happen on Tuesday with Black, Chourio and C Jeferson Quero?

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (51-45) heads out to play Marlins’ affiliate Pensacola (57-38).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Jimenez Tosses a Gem to Beat Kernels

21-year old RHP Edwin Jimenez (7 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 10 Ks) was back in stellar form after a 6-game rough patch, delivering 7 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball against a solid Cedar Rapids ballclub. He threw 62 strikes in 88 pitches in the masterpiece.

As usual for Wisconsin home games, but quite unusual across the minor league landscape, we’re blessed to have extensive video highlights and a nearly 22-minute postgame podcast.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Every Wisconsin batter collected at least one hit, but 2B Jose Acosta (1-for-3, HR, walk, 3 RBIs) delivered the one that mattered via a 3-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 4th inning. C Darrien Miller singled twice.
• RHP Shane Smith (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) was effective in relief to lower his season ERA to 2.05 in 44 innings pitched between Low-A and High-A ball. The Kernels only had one at-bat with a runner in scoring position – i.e. the last batter of the game, who grounded out. 

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (42-52) will bus to face Cubs’ affiliate South Bend (43-52), with LHP Nate Peterson expected to start the first game of the series.

No Pre-Game Media Notes Available
Final: Columbia 3, Carolina 1
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Carolina Drops the Final Game of the Series 3-1 in Columbia

22-year RHP Will Childers (6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks; season ERA dropped to 5.50) didn’t start, but still produced his best outing of the year, blanking Columbia for six consecutive innings to give the Mudcats’ hitters a chance to come back. Unfortunately, the offense never quite arrived on this day.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Dependable contributors INF Luke Adams and OF Luis Lara had the day off, so we’ll dream about their possible promotion to High-A ball. Without them, no Mudcat reached base twice, the team had only one extra-base hit (a double by 2B Daniel Guilarte) and the last 12 Carolina batters went down in order.
• 2022 14th round draft pick RHP Aidan Maldonado (1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) returned from injury for his first game action in 40 days. Unfortunately, the Fireflies jumped on him with five of the first six batters collecting hits in a 3-run first inning, but very well done to Maldonado in striking out three of the last four batters he faced.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (51-41) travels to face Astros’ affiliate Fayetteville (43-52) in a 7-game series, starting with a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Dominican Summer League All-Star Game

Final: DSL AL All-Stars 4, DSL NL All-Stars 3
Box Score / Game Log

A whopping 70 players participated in the DSL All-Star game, representing 50 teams in the league.

Each of DSL Brewers-1 and DSL Brewers-2 had one representative:

• 17-year old INF Filippo Di Turi has started 22 games at shortstop and 8 games at second base in his Brewers’ career, but was sent out to play third base in this game. The result: a throwing error on the second play of the game, which was the only ball hit to him. This helped lead to three unearned runs as the AL built an early 3-0 lead. Di Turi also grounded out in his only plate appearance.
• 17-year old OF Yophery Rodriguez entered the game in the 4th inning, playing center field for three innings. He gunned down the lead runner at third base to keep the game 3-1 in top of the 5th inning, then singled in a run in his only plate appearance to reduce the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom half.
• The NL squad stranded 11 baserunners in the game, including five in the final three innings.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. In addition to the Milwaukee Brewers playing in Washington, DC at 6:05 CST, three minor league squads are in action on Monday: DSL Brewers 1 plays DSL Brewers 2 at 10:00am CST, while the ACL Brewers play the ACL Rangers at 8:00pm CST.

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