Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/17): Thompson Deals, Three Shuckers Homer to Clinch Semifinal Series

Jesus Made, Matt Wood and Braylon Payne each smacked two-run homers in support of JD Thompson’s fine start in Biloxi’s playoff victory. Nashville fell apart in the middle innings in a blowout defeat.

Transaction:

• LHP Rob Zastryzny returned to Milwaukee from rehab and designated for assignment

Game Action:

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 8, Pensacola (Marlins) 3
Box Score

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

Shuckers Sweep Blue Wahoos, Advance to Championship for First Time Since 2019 - Biloxi Dominates Pensacola in Game 2 of Division Series to Secure Sweep

Starting LHP JD Thompson (5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) was dealing early and the Shuckers’ offense matched his domination by smacking three homers to grab a 6-0 lead by the second inning of their semifinal series-clinching victory.

Homering heroes C Matt Wood (2-for-3, HR, walk, 4 RBIs), SS Jesus Made (2-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) and OF Braylon Payne (1-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs) drove in all eight Biloxi runs, with Wood also delivering two vital insurance runs in the 7th inning after Pensacola started to make things interesting.

RHP Jaron DeBerry (1 2/3 IP, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K) struggled a bit in his first relief outing since July 2025, as the Blue Wahoos were ultimately able to bring the potential game-tying batter to the plate trailing 6-3 with two outs in the 7th inning, but RHP Stiven Cruz (2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) got that final out and then added two scoreless frames to earn the save.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• 2B Dylan O’Rae has had a fantastic 2026 season, and he’s not done setting the table or running opposing defenses ragged. He delivered a leadoff first inning single and scored on Made’s blast, then later walked and stole his 65th base of the year.
• DH Mike Boeve (2-for-3) joined Wood and Made in the multi-hit club, while 3B Eric Bitonti (1-for-3, walk) reached base twice in a solid team effort.
• The box score will show that 1B Andrew Fischer struggled a bit (0-for-4, 3 Ks), but forum commenters noted some injustice on his 7th inning strikeout (which could have been a double or a walk instead).

Championship Series outlook: Biloxi will host Game One of the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series against Angels’ affiliate Rocket City on Sunday evening (RHP Josh Knoth is the most likely starting pitcher), with Game Two to follow in Alabama on Tuesday.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 14, Nashville 1
Box Score

The final score doesn’t reflect it, but starting LHP Tate Kuehner (4 IP, 1 R, 1 K) battled well to navigate traffic and limit Memphis to a single run, exiting after 89 pitches (54 strikes) and four innings with the game tied 1-1. He worked around five hits, three walks and two errors.

Unfortunately, RHP Brandon Sproat (1 IP, 6 R, 2 Ks) then allowed three runs in the fifth inning on back-to-back two-out RBI singles before allowing the first three batters of the sixth inning to reach base (single, two walks), all of whom were inherited by and scored against RHP Brett Wichrowski. Wichrowski (1/3 IP, 5 R, 0 Ks) conceded hits to five of the six batters he faced, so the Sounds ultimately needed three pitchers to escape that nightmare eight-run frame.

OF Tyler Black continued his late season surge with a 3-for-3 outing, including a double, walk and an RBI. He has a .943 OPS over his last 102 plate appearances, though supported by a .413 BABIP during that stretch.

Sounds’ Extras:

• The Sounds collected two doubles, four singles and a hit-by-pitch, but drew zero walks against old friend Mason Molina and the Memphis staff. The Redbirds generously committed three errors, but Nashville batters failed to take advantage as they went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
• SS Eduardo Garcia (1-for-2, HBP) reached base twice, while 2B Ethan Murray hit a double and tossed a scoreless ninth inning. The “pitcher” he replaced was none other than fellow 2B Daniel Guilarte, who took the mound for the 7th and 8th innings in this blowout.
• Nashville’s defense turned three double plays, but also committed two errors. Memphis went 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Colton Gordon (5 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 Ks last week) gets the start, seeking to end his 2026 campaign on a positive note and lead Nashville to a series-tying victory at home.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, Nashville is the sole minor league affiliate in action, with a 6:35pm CST start time. The Milwaukee Brewers also play at the Orioles at 6:05pm CST.

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