Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/28): Victories Remain Tough to Come By; Luis Pena Exits After HBP

Brandon Lockridge shined in the farm's lone win. Dylan O'Rae is a theft merchant. Plenty of great visuals to take away from Appleton (but not the final score). Wilson was swept by a combined 20-6 tally.

Transactions: 

• Nashville Sounds transferred RHP Will Childers from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. (As of this post time, we are unaware of the nature of Childers' injury.)

Although it has not landed officially on the MiLB transaction page, we learned of this -

Also, not quite official yet, but LHP Wande Torres, who has had a fine season for the Timber Rattlers, particularly in the second half, is on his way to Biloxi.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 8, Jacksonville (Marlins) 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds, game details, and we encourage readers to always review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Lockridge Posts Career Day with Five RBI to Solidify Sounds Win - Lockridge is the fifth different Sound to record 5+ RBI this season

It was a rare Friday morning start in Jacksonville, which allowed us plenty of time to review the Lockridge highlights below and savor the details which are packed into the linked report above.

Here are additional clips:

104.7 MPH off the bat for this Brock Wilken RBI single off old friend Bradley Blalock

102.6 MPH for this Bo Naylor ground ball RBI double, Lockridge showing off the wheels

366 feet on this Wilken oppo taco

RHP Brandon Sproat only allowed one hit in four innings (it went a long way), three walks, seven K's, 3 R (2 ER).

This was only the 4th home run RH reliever Blake Holub has surrendered this season in 48.2 innings.

RHP Joel Kuhnel's rehab assignment (right shoulder impingement) began way back on August 2nd, and to ensure depth, the Brewers are milking every drop of the 30-day maximum stay. With no remaining options, Kuhnel will need to be activated (and likely DFA'd) within the next few days, barring other injury news on the big-league staff.

Blake Burke singled twice in the cleanup spot as the DH but struck out in his other three at-bats (28 K's in 70 AAA plate appearances, 40% K rate).

Is something else going on with Jeferson Quero? He last was behind the plate on Saturday and has only played in one game since, as the designated hitter on Thursday. Bo Naylor's presence has something to do with that.

Catch up with the latest Biloxi pre-game audio interview archives

In addition to those linked above, remember that historic June pattern of rain delays and postponements? This is an interesting chat - and naturally, Friday's game was delayed 22 minutes at the start.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Knoxville (Cubs) 3, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

O’Rae Sets Single-Season Stolen Bases Record in Shuckers Setback to Smokies - Biloxi Edged by Knoxville to Even Series at Two Each

Jesús Made's 20th error of the season (this one throwing), with one out in the 9th, proved very costly as a 1-1 game turned into a deficit shortly after. Both runs charged to LHP Jesus Broca were unearned as Broca couldn't pick up his young teammate, giving up this two-out, two-run single.

Like Brandon Sproat in Nashville Friday, Shuckers starter (and birthday boy, #24) Jaron DeBerry only gave up one hit. And like Sproat's knock allowed, it went a long way.

DeBerry was fortunate no one was on base, as he walked five batters over 4.2 innings, having the fortune of LHP Anthony Flores stranding the two runners on base when he exited. RHP Edwin Jimenez pitched very well to get things to the fateful 9th.

Darrien Miller raked over 23 games during his Nashville stay, but finds himself batting 9th in this Shuckers lineup, again thanks primarily to the Bo Naylor trade (and Ramon Rodriguez' return to health). Here's the lone Shuckers run on the night:

With two outs in the 5th, you have to send O'Rae here on this Josh Adamczewski single, but the play at the plate wasn't all that close:

Despite that base hit, it's been a rough August for Adamczewski compared to all the other months of 2026, as his splits page will show.

Luis Pena was drilled by a 92 MPH pitch into his left elbow near the protective guard in the 4th. He initially remained in the game and would steal second base, all the while continuing to grab at his elbow. He was stranded and would not return to the field at third base in the 5th. MiLB.TV subscribers can watch the entire sequence at the 02:31:00 hour/minute mark here.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: South Bend (Cubs) 10, Wisconsin 7
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers, game details:

Late Cubs Comeback Beats Rattlers - Six-run ninth inning hands South Bend a 10-7 win

Plenty of individual highlights within that linked report, which is a must read, then just settle in for a great movie with a catastrophic ending - as punctuated by Voice of the Rattlers "Aw, nuts" call -

From my fellow Link Reporter "Ro" (Daniel):

Wisconsin led 7-4 with 2 outs and nobody on in the 9th inning. Jose Nova had gotten a ground out and strike out to nearly allow 5,656 Rattlers’ fans to go home to their loved ones.

From that point, he went single, single, wild pitch, intentional walk (asking for trouble), run-scoring walk (see the trouble). 7-5 game, bases loaded, still 2 outs.

Did we pull him? Nope. Let’s continue: run-scoring walk. 7-6 game.

Pull him now? No. Onward we go: 2-run single, 2-run single, walk.

Tough one. I’m sure the ‘pen was spent, with Yerlin the only remaining arm, so I’m not criticizing the manager. And Nova managed all of that within 35 pitches, so it’s not like there was an injury risk. Just really tough for him, the fans, the players and coaches, I’m sure.

Timber Rattlers lose 10-7.

***

RHP Jose Nova's age 24 season has been an abject disaster - the year-long figures confirm it, and his career-long numbers don't dazzle at all. We've seen Nova display really poor body language again and again, understandable as you visit his game log. The organization's commitment to Nova has been commendable from a person-perspective. From a pure baseball standpoint, others have deserved the opportunities he's received.

Can't wait for Abner Uribe to hear about the Wisconsin Brats uniform from his Brewers teammates, but for me, the JoJo Romero Super Mario resemblance with the suspenders is even stronger:

We can't link to each and every jersey auction among all the affiliates, but will make the effort to promote this one:

If you wish to experience the full Joey Chestnut visit, up-front interview, then the competition, it's all here.

Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final, Game One: Hickory (Rangers) 9, Wilson 5, seven innings as scheduled
Box Score and Game Log

Final, Game One: Hickory (Rangers) 11, Wilson 1, seven innings as scheduled
Box Score and Game Log

Warbirds Swept in Doubleheader - Hickory Clinches Division Title

Game One long ball video clips, via Frederi Montero and Rylan Mills:

Here's Juan Ortuno's 6th inning RBI double.

The lone game two highlight, via Carsten Sabathia

Should you wish to check out some of the unfortunate pitches of the evening, the Hickory highlight page has a dozen clips.

Only four Wilson pitchers saw action, and five of the 20 runs allowed were unearned, but we'll leave it to your box score perusals to provide you the details.

Evening action throughout the system on Saturday night. Enjoy your day!

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!