Ro Mueller

Wisconsin is tied 2-2 in their home series against Quad Cities, with 22-year old RHP Bradley Blalock (2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 66.1 IP) starting Game 5 tonight. 3B Brock Wilken has acclimated well in 20 High-A games: .265 AVG / .419 OBP / .412 SLG in 86 PAs.

RHP Logan Henderson (2.82 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 12.0 K/9 in 67 IP) makes his 17th start of the year, striving to lead Carolina to a 3-2 series lead at home against Columbia. 20-year old LF Jace Avina has a .992 OPS over his last 147 PAs.

Gotta protect that arm. I guess we may not see him again until MILB Spring Training lineups in March. For now, Nick Bennett will probably go back to starting. Might as well shift Julio Teheran's rehab to Biloxi as well.

9-up, 9-down for Stripers starter Michael Soroka against Nashville. We appear to have our hands full in this game, trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

If Carolina's going to make the playoffs, it certainly helps to have 1B Jesus Chirinos around. His 2nd inning solo homer gives the good guys a 1-0 lead.

It probably won't happen, but I suggest that we promote SS Eric Brown Jr. to AA: Lineups are too imbalanced at the moment: AA Biloxi: 12 position players (just 5 infielders) + 16 pitchers; High-A Wisconsin: 15 position players (8 infielders) + 15 pitchers Brown will already be 23 in December, so might as well get a taste of AA now before being a fixture there next season Brown's game is speed, defense and contact hitting, so he shouldn't struggle too much when moved up Moving him up will free up immediate playing time for INFs Eduardo Garcia, Ben Metzinger, Jheremy Vargas and Jose Acosta, with Garcia and Robert Moore sharing shortstop duties at Wisconsin to close out this season

AAA Nashville looks for a 4th straight win at Gwinnett, with league strikeout leader LHP Robert Gasser getting the start. 3B Abraham Toro has a 14-game hitting streak.

Low-A Carolina seeks its 3rd straight home win over Columbia, with RHP Patricio Aquino (3.11 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 in 75.1 IP) getting tonight’s start. LF Tayden Hall has a 13-game hitting streak.

CF Jackson Chourio has homered in 2 straight games and LHP Adam Seminaris returns from injury for his first AA ball since May 17, as Biloxi needs a home win over Pensacola to claw back to 1-3 in this week’s series.

SS Eric Brown Jr. returns to the lineup and Julio Teheran makes his first rehab start, as High-A Wisconsin seeks a 3-1 series lead at home against Quad Cities.

Jahmai Jones’ 2-run homer turned the tide for Nashville. Yorman Galindez had a successful first start for Carolina. The Shuckers and Timber Rattlers each dropped one-run contests, but Yeison Perez’s two dingers led ACL Brewers to the ACL Championship Series. Image courtesy of Sierra Gatz & Biloxi Shuckers - Jackson Chourio Pictured Transactions: Signed LHP Fernando Abad and assigned to AAA Nashville RHP Justin Yeager sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers RHP Gerson Calzadilla placed on Low-A Carolina's 7-day injured list C Brent Diaz transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville The ACL Brewers also placed nine players on their temporarily inactive list, reducing their playoff roster to 35 active players (plus rehabbing Yeager) Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 3, Gwinnett 2 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: Devanney Delivers Critical Knock in Sounds Comeback Win 2B Jahmai Jones delivered the game-changing 2-run homer in the 6th inning and SS Cam Devanney the game-winning 9th inning single to backup a solid pitching effort from starting RHP Colin Rea and three relievers. The victory was Nashville’s fourth in a row, as they’ve crept to within just two games of a playoff spot in the highly competitive 20-team International League. In all, seven teams are within 2.5 games of each other atop the leaderboard, with the Sounds currently siting in fifth place. Sounds’ Extras: Promotion Watch: they’re ALL contributing! – Jones (1-for-2, HR, walk, 2 RBIs), 1B Keston Hiura (single – 20-game on-base streak), 3B Abraham Toro (double – 14-game hitting streak), rehabbing DH Jesse Winker (1-for-2, 2 walks), right fielder Owen Miller (single), Rea (6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks), LHP Clayton Andrews (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks). Rea’s 90-pitch, 6K performance will certainly be noted by Brewers’ brass if they require a sixth starting pitcher on any given day. Will he get the call-up on September 1 when MLB rosters expand? RHP Thyago Vieira’s (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) early season dominance may be returning, as he eliminated the Stripers in order (all swinging Ks!) for his seventh save of the year. Friday’s outlook: 24-year old LHP Robert Gasser (3.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 113 1/3 IP) gets an opportunity to clinch the series for Nashville and extend his lead stop the International League’s strikeout leaderboard (143, well ahead of second place 125). Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Pensacola 4, Biloxi 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Drop Tight Battle, 4-3, to Pensacola Biloxi fell to its third straight defeat, this one a tough one-run loss, but the cold hard truth is that the team didn’t quite do enough offensively (out-hit 7 to 5; left only three men on base vs. eight for Pensacola). In positive news, as per the article link, C Wes Clarke (2-for-3, HR, walk, RBI) and right fielder Jackson Chourio brought Biloxi back into the game with solo homers. Clarke also led off the bottom of the 9th inning with a walk, which unfortunately went for naught in their close loss. Shuckers’ Extras: RHP TJ Shook (4 2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks) put in another respectable performance. Hopefully he will now firmly grip a place in the Shuckers’ starting rotation, after bouncing between starts and relief appearances all season. He exited at 92 pitches with a 1-0 lead, but with 2-on, 2-out for the bullpen to deal with. 24-year old LHP Luis Amaya (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 K) was terrific for High-A Wisconsin (2.41 ERA in 37 1/3 IP), but has understandably found the terrain rougher in AA. He entered for Shook leading 1-0, but three batters later the team trailed 3-1: four-pitch walk, five-pitch RBI walk, two-run single. RHP Max Lazar (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 K) took the loss after conceding a solo homer in the 8th inning, though it may have been worse if not for center fielder Lamar Sparks cannon arm (see below). RHP Cam Robinson continued his recent solid run-of-form (1 ER in last 12 IP) with a scoreless 9th inning. Biloxi’s only rival for a playoff spot is Montgomery, who scored five 9th inning runs in their walk-off win. The teams are now tied with 21 games to go, with the playoffs undoubtedly coming down to their 6-game series in Biloxi from September 12-17 to end the regular season. Friday’s outlook: LHP Adam Seminaris returns from injury for his first AA action since May 17. He was a key piece of the Hunter Renfroe trade and the team will be glad to see him get back on track. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 3, Wisconsin 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Lets One Get Away Late No write-up can capture the drama of this excruciating defeat like the video highlights compiled by Wisconsin’s media team. Starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks) deserved to earn that elusive first Win of 2023, but unfortunately it didn’t work out as the River Bandits got to the Wisconsin bullpen in the 9th inning. The two teams were a combined 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position before Quad Cities’ two-run single to win the game while down to their final out. Both 9th inning runs were unearned following an error charged to RHP Shane Smith, who suffered his first blown save and loss with Wisconsin. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: The offense generated just five hits, all singles, with 2B Mike Boeve (1-for-2, 2 walks, SB) and 1B Ben Metzinger (1-for-3, walk, 2 RBIs) being the brightest sparks. Metzinger came through with the two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the 2nd inning to give Wisconsin a lead which nearly held up. Smith’s throw was low to Boeve for what would have been the second out of the 9th inning, but Boeve would probably say that he should have been able to scoop it. Nevertheless, Metzinger (12th consecutive game at first base, shifting over to accommodate Brock Wilken) made a terrific catch on the following play to keep the Timber Rattlers momentarily in front. This game marked RHP Joseph Hernandez’s return to High-A ball after an injury suffered on May 25, with his line showing that it was an adventurous outing: 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K. Friday’s outlook: Rehabbing RHP Julio Teheran gets the start in Game 4 of this week’s series, his first appearance since July 29th with the Brewers. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 2, Columbia 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Galindez Shines as Mudcats Edge Fireflies 2-1 Similar to Wednesday’s game, the Mudcats grabbed an early lead, had the lion’s share of opportunities, lost the advantage, then won anyway. The win keeps them in playoff position, though just two games ahead of Lynchburg with 15 games to play. Credit goes to impressive outings for two 20-year old RHP pitchers: Yorman Galindez (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks, 1 WP) made his first start in Low-A ball and Yujanyer Herrera (4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks, 1 WP) earned the win for keeping the Fireflies largely at bay. Mudcats’ Extras: DH/1B Tayden Hall (2-for-4, double, RBI, SB) and late substitute OF Jace Avina provided the vital hits – Hall an RBI single in the first inning and Avina the game-winning double in the 8th inning. 3B Jadher Areinamo and SS Gregory Barrios collected two singles each, although the team went just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Center fielder Dylan O’Rae also had a double and a walk, though was shockingly caught stealing twice (now successful in 37 of 41 attempts). Each of right fielder Luis Castillo and substitute Avina helped out the pitching staff by doubling off runners at first base on fly out double plays – Castillo to end the 2nd inning, Avina to end the 8th inning. Friday’s outlook: RHP Patricio Aquino (3.11 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 in 75 1/3 IP) is scheduled to make his 18th start (19th appearance) as Carolina aims for a third straight victory. Arizona Complex League Action Final: ACL Brewers 3, ACL Rockies 2 Box Score / Game Log David (31-25 Brewers, with a -8 run differential and a starting lineup of six players under age 20) once again vanquished Goliath (40-15 Rockies, with a +198 run differential and only one batter under age 20). The impressive win pushes the Crew into the ACL Best-of-3 Championship Series against ACL Diamondbacks Red, starting tonight! A pair of 19-year olds batting 8th and 9th led the way for the Brewers, who were surprisingly the more threatening team in the early innings. Right fielder Reece Walling and 1B Yeison Perez (2-for-4, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs) connected on back-to-back homers for a 2-0 lead in the 5th inning, then Perez connected with another solo blast in the 7th inning to boost the advantage to 3-0. 18-year old 2B Juan Baez didn’t score, but was a thorn in the side of the Rockies the entire night: 3-for-3, double, walk. While the Rockies had a traditional starting pitcher who covered 4 1/3 innings and struck out 8 hitters, the Brewers went by pitching committee: Organizational debut for 9th round pick LHP Mark Manfredi, who started and covered one scoreless inning. Manfredi struck out 3 of 4 batters faced. Organizational debut for 13th round pick RHP Brett Wichrowski, who also covered one scoreless inning. Two scoreless innings for 7th round pick LHP Tate Kuehner, who was credited with the Win. One scoreless inning for 18-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez. 1 2/3 IP for undrafted RHP KC Hunt, who conceded two runs (one earned). 1 1/3 scoreless innings for 10th round pick RHP Morris Austin. A scoreless 9th inning and a Save for undrafted RHP Blake Whiting, who worked around a one-out walk and wild pitch, striking out the final two batters. The win has to feel especially great for Manager Rafael Neda, who juggled an over-sized roster throughout the past three months, only to see all three experienced rehabbing players returned to higher level affiliates earlier in the week, while the Rockies’ lineup featured two hitters who’ve spent most of 2023 in High-A ball. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Follow the five minor league games on Friday, including Game One of the ACL Championship Series at 8:00pm 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 View full article

Unfortunately, we also had 2 men thrown out on the basepaths that inning - Juan Baez trying to extend a single, Cooper Pratt out at home on the much-maligned "contact play". In better news, we do lead 2-0. Juan Baez has a double, single and walk, while Reece Walling and Yeison Perez have those back-to-back homers. We're out-hitting the ACL Rockies 6-1. LHP Tate Kuehner pitched scoreless 3rd and 4th innings. And 18-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez did indeed come in to pitch a scoreless 5th inning, collecting two Ks. Now RHP KC Hunt has come in to throw the bottom of the 6th inning.

Strikeout, fly out, fly out. Game Over. The Timber Rattlers let this one slip away with Quad Cities down to their final out. 3-2 loss.

River Town singles in 2 runs on a base hit to left field and Quad Cities now leads Wisconsin 3-2. Ugh....... The top of the order is due up in the bottom of the 9th inning: Lara, Moore, Wilken. Let's go Timber Rattlers!

Smith makes life difficult by walking the first batter after being in a 2-2 count, then committing a throwing error on a ground ball from the next hitter. Bases loaded. 1 out. Wisconsin 2, Quad Cities 1. Mound visit to settle down.

Merkel concedes a 1-out double, so now it's RHP Shane Smith who comes in to try to end this thing in victorious fashion.

Wisconsin still leads 2-1, heading to the top of the 9th inning. RHP Nick Merkel aims to close out this win.

Clarke walked, but Warren followed with a GIDP before Murray K'd to end it. Shuckers lose their 3rd straight against Pensacola, this one 4-3. Shoot!!

It's the bottom of the 9th inning and the Shuckers will look to Wes Clarke, Zavier Warren and Ethan Murray to tie the game or score 2 runs to walk it off. C'mon Biloxi!

Alexander Cornielle was fabulous (5 IP, 0 R, 7 Ks), while Joseph Hernandez made his first High-A appearance since return from injury, needing to "magician" his way through 2.2 scoreless innings before conceding a solo homer. Wisconsin leads 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th inning, hoping to add some insurance.

RHP Max Lazar conceded a solo homer in the top of the 8th inning, so Biloxi trails 4-3. Thankfully the memo about CF Lamar Sparks cannon arm is still indecipherable to some teams, so he was free to gun down a runner at home to end that 8th inning. Let's go Shuckers offense!

The Bad News: Vieira only topped out at 99.3 mph, pitching on consecutive days. The Exceptional News: He struck out the side, with all 3 batters going down swinging (including old friend Jesus Aguilar and long-time AA nemesis Drew Lugbauer)! Sounds win!

RF Owen Miller singled and scored on a SS Cam Devanney single in the top of the 9th inning to give Nashville its first lead, 3-2. Here's RHP Thyago Vieira in to try to close it out!