Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/4): Hicklen, Rodriguez, Baez and Briceno Deliver 4-Win Sunday

For the week, Biloxi (4-1) and Carolina (4-2) were series winners, while Nashville and Wisconsin both managed 3-3 draws.

Transactions:

• RHP Bryan Rivera promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers
• LHP Bryan Hudson sent on rehab assignment to AAA Nashville

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 6, Gwinnett 4
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: Scrappy Offense Drives Sounds to Series Split With Stripers

22-year old starting RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 Ks) made his second start of the week and showed again why the organization thinks so highly of him, keeping the Stripers hitless through 3 innings and escaping a 2-on, nobody out jam in the 5th inning.

As detailed in the game report, C Francisco Mejia (2-run homer for 2-0 lead) and RF Brewer Hicklen (2-out RBI single for a 4-2 lead in the 7th inning) were key contributors, along with 3B Patrick Dorrian (2-for-3, sac fly) and left fielder Isaac Collins (2-for-5, RBI).

Hicklen started the 6th inning with a full count HBP, eventually leading to a run (after a pickle play) for a 3-2 advantage. Mejia’s throwing error allowed a run to score in the bottom of the 7th inning, but three batters later he held onto a foul tip for a key strikeout with 2-on and the game 4-3.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Do the Milwaukee Brewers need some bullpen help? There’s this Bryan Hudson chap who looks like he may have some potential. In his first rehab inning, Hudson threw 19 pitches in the 7th inning (though only 9 for strikes): 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K. His fastball topped out at 92.1mph.
• Hicklen (2-for-2, 2 walks, HBP, 2 SBs; season OPS .920) reached base all 5 times and now has 35 stolen bases on the season to go with his 19 home runs. Will he have to wait until September for a call-up? Will there be room for him even then, given that Tyler Black is also looking at that extra MLB roster spot?

Next week’s outlook: LHP DL Hall is scheduled for another rehab start on Tuesday, with Nashville coming home to face Pirates’ affiliate Indianapolis.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Suspended: Biloxi 0, Rocket City 0 (in top of the first inning)
Box Score and Game Log

The teams are to resume play in this game as part of a doubleheader at Rocket City in the first week of September.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi heads to Montgomery, Alabama to battle the Rays’ affiliate this week.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 15, South Bend 12
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Outslugs & Outlasts South Bend for Series Split

Before we get into extra game tidbits, grab some popcorn and enjoy the detailed video highlights put together by the Timber Rattlers’ media team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g33JtvYDhUw

And there’s also the 22-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, featuring comments from Manager Estevez and homering hero C Ramon Rodriguez.

From the podcast, I’m sure we’re all relieved to hear the Manager say that SS Cooper Pratt (who exited at the start of the 3rd inning) is okay and will likely be available for Tuesday’s game. Call it a precautionary exit after an HBP and fielding collision.

Being down 5-1 (3rd inning) and 7-4 (6th inning) never fazed the Timber Rattlers. Utility man Jheremy Vargas started the 6th inning rally with a single, but it was center fielder Luis Lara and left fielder Felix Valerio who drew 2-out walks to set up 2B Jadher Areinamo’s full count 3-run homer for an 8-7 lead.

A rare INF Eduardo Garcia walk preceded C Ramon Rodriguez’s clutch 2-run shot for a 10-8 advantage in the 7th inning, which ultimately held up thanks to five more runs coming across in the bottom of the 8th inning. Garcia also homered and had 4 RBIs, one of many offensive players to fill the stat sheet.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• The offense stepped up in support of a pitching staff which at least on paper appeared stretched. RHP Alexander Cornielle (4 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 1 K) was making his second start of the week, while relievers Jeferson Figueroa (2 IP, 1 R) Aaron Rund (1 2/3 IP, 3 R) and Bayden Root (single, walk, fly out to end the game) all threw both Friday and Sunday. Will some pitching reinforcements (e.g. recent draft picks) be coming by Tuesday?
• Areinamo’s two throwing errors were uncharacteristic for the exceptional fielder, but understandable given that it was his first field action in 10 days.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin hits the road to take on Royals’ affiliate Quad Cities this week, starting from Tuesday.

Game One (Continuation) Final: Carolina 10, Charleston 5
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: Carolina 4, Charleston 3 (in 8 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Sweep Doubleheader, Win Series

Carolina and Charleston resumed Saturday’s rain-delayed game with the Mudcats trailing 2-1 with 2 outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 4th inning. Facing a new pitcher, Juan Baez (3-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs) greeted him with a double, the first of 6 consecutive batters to reach base in that same 4th inning, giving Carolina a 4-2 advantage at that point.

21-year old RHP Ryan Birchard (3rd appearance for Carolina) took the mound to start the 5th inning. A walk and double didn’t hurt him in that frame, but cost him 2 runs in the next for a 4-4 ballgame. Right fielder Luis Castillo walked and SS Daniel Guilarte singled to start a 4-run bottom of the 6th inning, with center fielder Yophery Rodriguez contributing a 2-run single for an 8-4 lead which held up.

After a tough extra inning loss on Friday, the Mudcats’ offense wasn’t about to allow a repeat in the night cap on Sunday. Outhitting the RiverDogs 11-3, but down 3-2 in extra innings, Reidy Mercado (walk) and Miguel Briceno (2-run single) came through to finish off the doubleheader sweep.

In the that second game, Birthday Man (now 22) RHP Josh Timmerman didn’t allow a hit through 4 innings, but 2 walks, a wild pitch and a double steal had the team behind 1-0 before right-fielder Luis Castillo’s 15th homer (4th inning) and 2B Filippo Di Turi’s 2-out RBI single (5th inning).

Is there an 18-year old with more confidence in his stroke than this?:

Mudcats’ Extras:

• The late heroics in the second game were necessary after Guilarte was thrown out at home to end the 6th inning and the Mudcats stranded the bases loaded in the 7th inning.
• Kudos to 19-year old Rivera from Nicaragua with his full season affiliate debut, covering the 7th and 8th innings of the first game of the day: 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K.
• Birchard added an HBP and 3 wild pitches as he attempts to regain his form after an injury suffered in early April.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina travels to face Nationals’ affiliate Fredericksburg.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, DSL Brewers-1 (26-14) is the only Brewers’ minor league team in action (hosting 29-13 DSL CLE Goryl) at 10:00am CST. The Milwaukee Brewers also have a day off to rest and recuperate before their series in Atlanta.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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