Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/19): Hot Bats Keep the Sounds in Rhythm for Third Consecutive Win

Transactions:

Nashville Sounds activated LF Jimmy Herron.

Nashville Sounds transferred LHP Tucker Davidson to the Development List.

Game Action: 

Nashville 6, Louisville (Reds) 4

Box Score

The Nashville Sounds offense continued to play all the right notes as they drummed out 12 hits to defeat the Louisville Bats on Friday night. Every Sounds’ starter had at least one hit, though the Sounds only managed two extra-base hits on the night on doubles from Anthony Seigler and Oliver Dunn.

In the first inning, the Sounds loaded the bases, but were unable to make Bats’ starter TJ Sikkema pay, as Dunn grounded out to end the threat. The Bats responded with a solo tallies in the first and second innings off Sounds’ starter Carlos Rodriguez for an early 2-0 lead after two innings.

The Sounds finally broke through in the third inning, when Seigler and Brandon Lockridge led off the inning with singles to set the table for catcher Jeferson Quero, who brought in the first run of the game with a single of his own. Lockridge is now slashing .340/.415/.404 in September at Nashville while going 4/4 in steals as he makes a case for a spot on the Brewers' postseason roster from afar. After a walk to Freddy Zamora, Ethan Murray lined a 103.9 MPH shot off the second baseman to bring in two and give the Sounds a 3-2.  The play was initially ruled a base hit for Murray, but was then changed to an error. The broadcast didn’t give us a very good look at the play:

From there, Rodriguez was able to lock in for a few innings, before eventually losing the zone in the fifth inning, when he walked four to tie the game at 3-3 before exiting after striking out Scrabble enthusiast Christian Encarnacion-Strand to escape the jam. On the night, Rodriguez line read 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, and 5 K. It will be interesting to see where Rodriguez, who turns 24 in November, fits into the Brewers plans for 2026 after 200+ combined innings in AAA the last two seasons.

The score would remain tied until the seventh inning when Murray once again delivered with a two-run single to give the Sounds the lead. The knock was the first hit of the night with runners in scoring position for the Sounds, who finished a whopping 2 for 17 with RISP on the night.

The Sounds made the most of their 10 singles and five walks by stealing eight bags on the night, led by lead off man Jared Oliva’s four swipes, which now gives him an International League-leading 57 steals on the season.

Sounds’ relivers Blake Holub and Brian Fitzpatrick combined for three flawless innings with three total strikeouts to put the team in position to win the game. In the ninth, the Sounds added an insurance run with Murray once again at the plate, this time in the form of a wild pitch:

Julian Merryweather earned his third save of the season in a high wire act to end the night. After getting the first man in the frame, Merryweather allowed a walk, single, single to make it 6-4. A stolen base put the tying runs in scoring position with just one out. Merryweather then got a crucial strikeout and ground out to hold on for the win.

The Sounds are back in action Saturday with Bruce Zimmerman set to take the hill in the penultimate game of the season, as the Sounds will go for their fourth consecutive victory in the series.

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