Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/8): Capra and the DSL Hitters Shine in Generally Rough Thursday

Transactions:

• RHP Logan Henderson promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi
• RHP Manuel Rodriguez placed on Low-A Carolina’s 7-day injured list
• RHP James Meeker placed on Development List by AAA Nashville
• RHP Nolan Blackwood released by AAA Nashville

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 3, Indianapolis 1
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: Capra's Blasts Lift Sounds Past Indianapolis

The linked game report covers the key details extremely well, with RHP Chad Patrick (5 IP, 1 UER, 6 Ks), SS Vinny Capra (2-for-3, 2 HR, HBP, 3 RBIs) and RHP Taylor Clarke (4 IP, 0 R) doing the heavy lifting to give Nashville a 2-1 home series lead.

Neither GameDay nor Indianapolis could figure out what Clarke was throwing, registering most of his pitches as changeups as he retired 12 of 13 batters (94.3mph peak velocity).

Sounds’ Extras:

• The teams combined to produce just 9 hits, 4 walks and an HBP in the 2-hour contest in front of 5,661 fans. Sounds’ players not mentioned in the game report combined to go 0-for-18 with a walk.
• Tyler Black (2-for-4, double) has been alternating between third base and first base for his past 6 games, while Isaac Collins got a turn in center field.

Friday’s outlook: Get excited! Rapidly-ascending 22-year old RHP Logan Henderson makes his AAA debut, undoubtedly looking to repeat the dominance of Patrick and Clarke. The fourth round draft pick in 2021 made 2 starts at High-A Wisconsin and 9 with AA Biloxi, so now readies for this next challenge.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Montgomery 10, Biloxi 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Fall, 10-3, to Biscuits on Thursday Night

Despite the first 11 Shucker hitters being retired in order, they were in the game until a blow-up 6th inning, taking a 3-1 lead in the 4th and tied 3-3 before RHP Tyler Woessner entered for that 6th frame.

Woessner threw 30 pitches before exiting in connection with an ominously-written “injury delay”. Hopefully I’m blowing it out of proportion and it was just a mound discussion after 6 of 8 batters reached against him (one via strikeout wild pitch).

Four days after his start was interrupted by rain after just 7 pitches, LHP Adam Seminaris had a respectable outing (62 pitches, 42 strikes), allowing a solo homer, 4 singles and no walks, while striking out 4 in 3 2/3 innings.

1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. (1-for-3, 2 RBIs, 17th stolen base) is in his 8th minor league season (including the Covid year), but is just over 25 years old and keeps producing at an excellent clip offensively and defensively for the organization.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Of course, being close on the scoreboard through 5 ½ innings doesn’t necessarily mean Biloxi was truly deserving to be in it, as they were ultimately out-hit 13-1, while drawing 3 walks vs. 14 strikeouts.
• Down 9-3 in the 8th inning, frustration boiled a bit as OF Lamar Sparks and hitting coach JJ Reimer were ejected after Sparks grounded out.
• LHP Russell Smith (2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K) handled the late innings, with 45 pitches being the second most he’s thrown in 2024.

Friday’s outlook: 23-year old LHP Tate Kuehner makes his second AA start, with Biloxi needing a victory to even their road series 2-2.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wild Night for Wisconsin in 9-3 Loss

Per the excellent game write-up, 6’7” starting LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 Ks) used timely strikeouts to work around traffic, while the Timber Rattlers’ offense woke up in the 6th inning to make a game of it at 3-2.

However, 3 walks and 2 wild pitches from RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (2 IP, 3 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 3 WP, 4 Ks) to start the bottom of the 6th inning quickly restored Quad Cities’ 3-run advantage.

Searching for positives in a tough week thus far, we of course have 3B Eduardo Garcia’s solo homer, along with DH Luke Adams and right fielder Jose Acosta both reaching twice (single, walk). Adams’ RBI single had cut the deficit to 3-2, while center fielder Luis Lara stole his 34th base of 2024.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Similar to the Shuckers’ game, the final score could have been even worse, as the River Bandits went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11.
• Fitzpatrick threw 80 pitches, Rodriguez 48 in relief and RHP Bayden Root an additional 48, as Manager Victor Estevez is understandably attempting to save other arms for the remaining three games of the week.

Friday’s outlook: Wisconsin looks to RHP Will Rudy (4.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 83 1/3 IP) to lead the comeback, with the team presently down 3 games to 0 in their series at Davenport, Iowa.

Postponed: Carolina vs. Fredericksburg
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, rainout details: Mudcats and Nationals Postponed Thursday

The rainout will be made up via a doubleheader on Saturday. Carolina and Fredericksburg are presently tied 1-1 in this week’s road series.

Friday’s outlook: 18-year old RHP Josh Knoth (4.37 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 in 70 IP) is the scheduled starter, one day before his 19th birthday. Knoth will be looking for a solid bounce-back game after struggling last week (4 IP, 5 ER, 6 H).

Final: DSL Brewers Uno 17, DSL LAD Bautista 10
Box Score and Game Log

Two touchdowns in the first 4 innings gave Brewers Uno a 14-0 lead, with starting LHP Wande Torres also dominating over 2 2/3 shutout pitchers innings (0 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks).

LAD Bautista battled back with a touchdown and 2-point conversion (all 8 runs earned off of RHP Carlos Canales) to make it a 14-8 game by the 6th inning, but never got much closer.

The Big 3 of 2B Jesus Made (triple, double), SS Luis Pena (double, SB) and Juan Ortuno (3-run homer) combined for 7 hits and an amazing 12 RBIs, sending each of their season OPS’ into the stratosphere.

Coupled with Orioles Orange’s default, the Uno Crew are just a 1/2 game out of first place with about 2 weeks to go. One minor blemish was the 2 errors committed by Pena.

Final: DSL Pirates Gold 6, DSL Brewers Dos 4 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Technically a continuation of their July 2 contest which had only covered a scoreless half-inning, Team Dos dominated in most respects (e.g. 14-6 in hits) on Thursday, but went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 baserunners in a tough defeat.

SS Jorge Polanco reached base 5 times (triple, 2 singles, walk, HBP; .763 OPS), while 2B Roderick Flores (.801 OPS) singled 3 times to go with an RBI and stolen base.

Starting RHP Josue Toledo (3 IP, 3 H, 5 BB, 3 WP, 1 K) allowed 8 of 15 batters to reach base, but only 2 scored before RHP Argenis Aparicio (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks) dominated over 4 shutout innings.

RHP Paul Hoff (2 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 WP, 2 Ks) unfortunately struggled. Three wild pitches and a walk to start the 10th might have been signs that he should be pulled, but instead he allowed 2 more singles before exiting with nobody out (3 runs scored).

Flores and Polanco both singled with 2 outs in the 10th to bring up the potential game-winning run, but pinch hitter Eduardo Charles struck out looking to end it.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, the DSL squads square off against Red Sox Blue and Red at 10:00am CST, while the four full season affiliates will be in action in the evening. The Milwaukee Brewers return home to take on the Reds at 7:10pm.

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