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If we will hat tip Yoho/Ashby as solid innings of relief work in the loss, let's do the same for Nick Merkel. Came in with 2-on and 1 out, and got out of the jam, then nothing more. So far 2.2 IP, 4 K and no hits/walks/runs. I have no idea if he comes out for another inning of work, given my track history tonight I guess I should assume he will now pitch the 9th. But let's hope the Shuckers bats start to feel the music and get the good vibes going. We need the band to start to make some hits and get down some runs.

Root doesn't do as well as Merkel, but the defense was great. First batter walks, now bases loaded. And next is a grounder to Adams. Who plays is very well, I mean good positioning and soft hands and accurate throw to the plate. One down, bases still juiced. Then a grounder between 1B and 2B and Areinamo makes a nice play and great throw to get the out and then a heads up play by Chirinos to get the other runner at the plate. It's a tie game, but could have been so much worse. No surprise a Victor Esevez coached team makes smart plays to keep themselves in the game. Some more rain so we will see if this is a complete game or not. Now the offense needs to pick up a few runs. Muddies are down to their last couple of outs, and Biloxi still offensively challenged.

That's the second pitching call I got wrong. Stiven Cruz comes out for the 5th. And he gives up a couple of hits. And now comes out for Bayden Root. Let's go Bayden hope you do what Merkel did for Hung. So I'm either a bad manager (0 for 2 on the calls), or really good (since my call could have faired better than what was done). IDK? Oh and white flag time for the Muddies as Briceno came on to pitch in the 8th. It is now 9-3

Man the struggle is real for Wilken. His August has been brutal. And another at bat where he looked fooled. Just not seeing it well? Or guessing wrong on the pitches?

Did I say style - how about a caught stealing with a great throw and beautiful tag by Pratt. OK Cruz through 4. Merkel gets a FC, for the 2nd out. And the the K!!! Awesome job Nick. Hunt off the hook. It's still a 3-0 deficit, but could have been worse. Let's get the offense going boys

And yes that ends the night for KC. He got an out in the 6th, but a walk, and then a grounder right up the middle and the pitch count at 93. I do wonder if getting him out after 5th was the best call. Or it was a test to see if he had it in him to close the deal. Still 3-0 MBraves lead. Merkel in to keep it close. Nashville went final a bit ago, losing 7-4, but nice relief work by Yoho and Ashby. Mudcats still down, now 7-3 in the 8th. And TRats clinging to a 2-1 lead. Stiven Cruz still out there in the at 60 pitches, but rain is out so may have a delay soon. 2 outs now. And hopefully Cruz can end the 4th in style.

Hold your horses ... Hunt out for the 6th. Oh my. Let's see if he can make it through the inning. Pitch count will work against him.

And Hunt has a great probable last inning. Hes at 80 pitches. 8 strikeouts. Strong outing. The 3 runs allowed were a HR well hit, and 2B well hit but not defended well and a ball that just got down the line fair. I think he had 3 or 4 hard hits and all came back to haunt him. Command needs some work to make sure he is more consistent batter to batter or inning to inning. His velocity is only 92, but he has a great slider.

Former major league position player David Fletcher the knuckleballl pitcher for M-Braves and making the Shuckers look foolish. Stiven Cruz gets out of a jam by a very nice defensive play by Luke Adams. Ranged to his left and made a solid throw, he defends better than you would expect.

Hunt has the stuff. But he is a little wild. Another WP advances a runner. If he can command a little better his elite stuff will move quickly. Then two hard hits, and it's a 3 run lead against the Shuckers. Of note, O'Rae has the range to get to balls, but his arm is subpar. The first "hit" of the inning was due to runner speed and lack of arm strength. For his offense and defense he needs to hit the weight room in the offseason. Meanwhile - TRat strike first with a beautiful gapper by Lara, Then Pratt reaches on an error.

I just want to echo. AA looked off the first two batters, particularly the walk. This looked like May/June Ashby where he was locked in for an inning but then could not command well and leads to innings getting out of control. But the final three batters he looked like what he was back in 2021. His consistency is the key, and command will get you there. If he can harness the slider and a curve (or what the announcer called it), and not be too wild or groove the fastball, he can be a good 1-2 inning reliever.

Wow for Hunt. He hits the first batter, then gets a K. Then a DP ball, but EBJ fumbles it so only two out and a runner on. Then a WP, or was it. It seemed to hit the batter who walked to first believing it was a HBP. But the umps looked lost and call it a WP and the runner on first is on third. Just wild But it gets crazier - on a swinging strike, an ump ruled that someone called time. What? And it's back to 2-0 count. KC Hunt having to work and learn here, and he does some beautiful pitches including that elite slider and it's a K and out of the inning. Nice work. Middendorf in for Ashby for Nashville. TRats escape a jam, and it's still 0-0 Muddies can't get a run back so it's still 5-3 Shorebirds.

It is a 4 run inning for Delmarva who storms to the lead 5-3. Ashby looked off for the first two hitter - a walk and a soft grounder hit. But the next three batters looked completely off balance. The slider and a curve were sharp. He gets 2K and a ground out. Impressive inning for AA. Meanwhile Biloxi squanders a chance to get a run, and KC Hunt now hits the first batter. TRats game two is one but haven't watche it yet

Durow comes in and gives up a hit to the first batter then walks then next to bring in a run. And a WP and 2 runs score. Game getting away from Carolina. Meanwhile Ashby in for Nashville after Yoho was able to get out of the prior inning.

Bryan Rivera going well, but pitch count getting to him. After walking a man in the 5th looks like he will get the hook ... not yet, but soon. But another walk and I think that's all he wrote. Yoho escapes a jam after Brewer killer Tristan Peters triples, but a ground out gets the runner. Then gets a beautfiul swinging K. Meanwhile KC Hunt looking human, after a scoreless first. Gives up a homer and then a single. But a grounder gets the first out.

Baez doubles. And gets to third on a WP. But Bitonti K, DiTuri pops out, and Castillo Ks looking. It's still 3-1 lead, but the potential to get some easy runs with a runner at third and no out. With the late inning offense of Delmarva this week - I worry this missed run will come back to haunt the Mudcats. Meanwhile Sounds still trail 7-4; And Biloxi just underway

Yoho - easy work of the first batter. 3 pitches and a strike out. Then. Wow. Craig Yoho - victimized by a bloop, with a runner running, and a single. Then a hard hit ball for a base hit. Ooof. Two hits in a row, that's not common with him. But get the next guy swinging. And uncharacteristic walk on 4 straight. THen a deep fly ball, but Roller hauls it in. Phew.

It's a final in Wisconsin. 8-1 TRats win, Pratt, H. Perez and Wood with 2 H, and Wood on base all 4 times (2 BB and 2 H). Wood and Perez each tripled Meanwhile as noted above the Mitch White experiment continues to not go so well. Mudcats have an early lead.

I think the big question - is let's say this is the 2015-2016 Brewers, do you draft a guy like Yeager or R. Smith and keep him on the big club? I know they did with WCW in 2014. But he was 22 at the time and could have developed into a starter. And in retrospect it was looked as a bad decision (he didn't provide value and his development was likely ruined). I don't know that Yeager and Smith scream that much potential to be MLB regulars for the season by next spring training. There will be other arms that could be available (FA, DFA or trades). I mean don't get me wrong, I like them both quite a bit, but I don't know that they move the needle enough for an organization to say "yes we will use him the BP and keep him around all year". Henderson - yes. S. Smith - possibly, particularly given his rise in the past 15 months particularly in light of the fact that his college career that was cut pretty short (COVID and injuries). Russell - because he is a lefty more than Yeager.

DSL-2 boys were getting down today, and playing that funky victory music to the tune of a 4-2 win. Frandy Lafond continues to lead the offense without his usual bandmates. He was 1-3 with a 2B and an RBI Christopher Peralta orchestrated a nice start, going 4 IP with 1K, 1BB and 1 hit, and no runs. Montero dancing on the basepaths with a SB and a PO, although the defense was not in harmony with 4 errors! Hopeful that the victory vibes continue in the evening and keep up the winning beats.

The real question is how many spots will be open. From Wiguy94's earlier post. Miley may retire, or could re-sign late in the off season (allowing time after the rule V draft). Adames will be tendered but likely plays elsewhere next year. Sanchez - is he an option? And Ross I think is gone, as well as Montas unless one of the ball out the remainder of the year. Ashby is interesting - still likely DFA because of his contract that no one will claim. Herget, Paredes, Jay, Zastyzny, Haase, Capra and I think even Bukauskas are nice depth and replaceable. So from the 46ish or so guys on the 40 man (due to the # on 60day IL) - that is 6-10 players who could/would/should be removed, opening up about a few spots. And there is the likelihood that players on the verge or already on the 40 man (think either Carlos Rodriguez, or one of the relievers above) could be moved in a trade. I do not see the Brewers being as active in waiver/DFA or rule V pick ups as they have in the past given the number or quality players in the affiliates currently. So it will be more of an egress out this off season. But I still stand with my list from earlier - that Henderson and Shane Smith are the locks, with Patrick and others being considered. I like Russell Smith and Justin Yeager, but their ages, limited history of success and I don't believe either has an elite pitch that makes them seem MLB ready or worth the roster spot.

Knoth had a strong start. His first and last inning (first 2 outs in the 6th) were his best. In between he did give up some hard contact. His fastball was reported at 94-95 all night, got away from him in the in-between innings. His curve looked sharp and was his best pitch. Keeping hitters off balance. His pitch count got high in 3rd - 5th innings otherwise I think he would have finished the 6th inning, but at 80+ pitches I think it was a end on a high note. The top 5th (I think is was 5th or 6th) they had two on no out and then bases loaded with 1 out, and no runs.

TRats postponed. That’s a wrap for a Friday night. Some nice pitching performances, a struggle with the offense and some heart break losses. See all tomorrow night again.

Ok. This week. I mean seriously?? After the silliness in the 12 th for Nashville against Durham. Tonight. 4-4 game. First hitter bunts and up the 1st base line. Pitcher, catcher and 1B all go to the ball, Sanchez (pitcher) fields it and throws it ….. to ….. no one. No one covering first and the winning run scores easily. If he just let him go, it’s first and third no out. Sure not great. But to throw to no one?? And no one covers first?? Anyhoo - Mudcats lose 5-4 in 11.

Jacques with a good outing on the island. And no Made, Anderson or Peña = no offense. Onto the 11th in Delmarva as,both teams trade runs in the 10th. Shuckers go away quietly. Ugh July looked like they would be a dominant team. Lost a few key pitchers to promotion, and the offense which was deep is not so (as EBJ struggles, Wilken tries to break out of his funk, and Miller has been eerily quiet).