Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/6): Black and Blalock Make Debuts. Acosta and Diaz Lead Wisconsin and Carolina to Sunday Wins

For the week, Carolina (5-2) was the sole series winner, while each of Nashville, Biloxi and Wisconsin dropped tough series (4-2).

Transactions:

• INF Tyler Black promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi
• 1B Ernesto Martinez promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin
• OF Skye Bolt placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• LHP Clayton Andrews optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Durham 7, Nashville 6
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 Series Finale to Bulls

Did a pitch timer violation ruffle Sounds’ starting RHP Janson Junk (5 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks) enough to derail his performance?

Junk had retired 12 straight Bulls after a game-opening single and Nashville led 3-0 after four innings, but the 5th inning commenced with a pitch timer violation, consecutive walks and a 3-run homer to knot the affair.

After a blow-up 7th inning for rehabbing LHP Bennett Sousa (2/3 IP, 4 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K), the Sounds trailed 7-3 and things looked a bit hopeless until consecutive walks from right fielder Jahmai Jones and AAA debutant 3B Tyler Black (0-for-3, 2 walks) with two outs in the bottom half of the inning brought 1B Keston Hiura to the plate for his 3-run blast. 

Keston came up again with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, but was hit by pitch so not able to tie things up alone. C Payton Henry battled gamely, fouling off four pitches before flying out to end it.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Hiura (2-for-4, HR, HBP, 3 RBIs) had singled earlier to extend his hitting streak to seven games. With no strikeouts in this game, he’s likely put himself atop the Promotion Watch alongside 2B Owen Miller (2-for-4, two doubles, SB) and INF Abraham Toro (not played since August 3 option).
• LHP Alex Claudio and RHPs Trevor Megill and Thyago Vieira each delivered scoreless innings of relief, with Thyago’s the most exciting for all involved. Vieira threw nine pitches of 99mph or higher to the first four batters he faced, with several topping 100mph, before facing bases loaded drama and escaping.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville (56-50) travels to Indianapolis (50-56) to square off against the Pirates’ AAA affiliate, with RHP Caleb Boushley (4.68 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 100 IP) expected to start the first game of the series.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 11, Biloxi 6
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Fall in Run-Filled Finale against Blue Wahoos

The starting pitching experiment of RHP James Meeker (4 IP, 6 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) continues to be an up-and-down affair, with this game certainly of the down variety.

What stands out most obviously is that Meeker has K’d 44 batters in 135 plate appearances in 16 relief appearances, but only struck out 17 batters in 156 plate appearances in 8 starts.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• On the road and down 6-2 after six innings, the Shuckers were undeterred and made a game of it in the 7th inning, but unfortunately only one of four hitters (an RBI walk for DH Wes Clarke) was able to bring home a run. The Shuckers stranded 13 baserunners in the game versus only 7 left on base by Pensacola.
• Perhaps that bases loaded walk of Clarke (3-for-4, HR, 2 doubles, walk, 3 RBIs) was an exercise in self-preservation for the Blue Wahoos, as Clarke had already homered and doubled in the game. He added another double in the 9th inning, but Biloxi trailed 11-5 by that point.
• Center fielder Jackson Chourio (two singles, RBI), SS Freddy Zamora (two singles) and C Brent Diaz (double, HBP) each had solid games offensively, while the four relievers had mixed results as you’ll note in the box score. 

Next week’s outlook: The Shuckers (53-49) return home to take on Cubs’ affiliate Tennessee (58-43).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Wisconsin 5, South Bend 2 (in 7 innings)
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Go Deep to Take Game One at South Bend

Game Two Final: South Bend 3, Wisconsin 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score / Game Log
Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Shut Out as Cubs Gain Doubleheader Split

Newly-acquired (for Luis Urias) 22-year old RHP Bradley Blalock made his Brewers’ organizational debut in the first game of Wisconsin’s doubleheader, with nerves perhaps playing a part as a walked the first two batters he faced before settling in.

After 80 pitches and six strikeouts in four innings, with the Timber Rattlers trailing 2-1, Blalock’s day was complete.

From there, left fielder Alex Hall (3-for-5, HR, walk, RBI) and 2B Jose Acosta (3-for-6, HR, double, 2 RBIs) immediately picked up Blalock and the Timber Rattlers, delivering back-to-back homers in the top of the 5th inning. In the next frame, Acosta doubled home none other than Mr. Hall (who’d walked) to tack on an insurance run.

The night cap was a different story, as Wisconsin produced only three harmless singles in their shutout defeat.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• RHP Edwin Jimenez (4 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 3 Ks) was not able to deliver a dominant outing like his last start (seven scoreless innings last week), ultimately credited with the loss in game two of the doubleheader.
• 1B Ernesto Martinez had an RBI double to extend the Timber Rattlers’ lead to 4-2 in the first game of the day, in what was likely the last game he’ll ever play in High-A ball. Good luck in AA Biloxi, Mr. Martinez!
• Each of RHPs Shane Smith (winner) and Tanner Shears (save) and LHP Justin King (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) were solid in relief across the two games, combining on five scoreless innings as they (and other Timber Rattlers’ relievers) make their case to join Ernesto in Double-A ball.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (44-56) hosts Reds’ affiliate Dayton (53-49), with LHP Nate Peterson (3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 50 IP) scheduled to start the opener.

Final: Carolina 4, Fayetteville 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Comeback ‘Cats Strike Again and Take Series With 4-3 Win

Sometimes you’re clearly the better team. And sometimes you win when you’re not supposed to. Sunday’s victory for Carolina sure looked like the latter case, as the opposing Woodpeckers went 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position to leave the door open for the Mudcats to waltz through.

Five of the eight Mudcats’ hits in the game came in that come-from-behind, three-run 9th inning, with July Carolina League Player of the Month 1B Jesus Chirinos getting the action going with a leadoff double.

Center fielder Luis Lara (1-for-2, double, walk) doubled home Chirinos and two infield singles followed, before C Blayberg Diaz (2-for-4, RBI) gave the Mudcats the only lead they would need with an RBI game-winning single. 

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Starting RHP Aidan Maldonado (2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 1 K) threw 49 pitches in his second outing since returning from injury, as he builds back strength. He exited with the team trailing 1-0.
• RHPs Will Childers and Jose Chavez managed the middle innings, combining on 5 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 8 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks – which kept Carolina in the game alongside DH/1B Tayden Hall’s (1-for-2, double, 2 walks, RBI) double which scored a run in the 7th inning.
• RHP Tyler Wehrle earned the save after teasing the Fayetteville fans by walking two batters and hitting another to load the bases, before getting the game’s final out on a called third strike. 

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (56-43) hosts Orioles’ affiliate Delmarva (43-57).

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. It’s a light day on Monday, with the DSL Brewers’ squads facing each other at 10:00am CST and the ACL Brewers playing at 8:00pm CST, with of course the Milwaukee Brewers playing at 7:10pm 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