Ro Mueller

The Mudcats lead their series 3-1 and conclude with two games at Down East today. 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (3.24 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 11.9 K/9 in 8.1 IP) starts the opener. CF Eduarqui Fernandez has a 6-game hitting streak.

What a ridiculous final inning in Rocket City: the Shuckers scored 4 runs on 6 walks and a hit-by-pitch. Could have just put the bats on the bus already. 8-0 Biloxi.

Here’s the Zamora blast:

A strikeout swinging with the bases loaded in the 8th inning is not what the doctor ordered, but it's what SS Eric Brown Jr. experienced here as part of an 0-for-5 night. His season OPS dips to .289 (.109 AVG). Such a brutal stretch for the promising player. Wisconsin still leads 6-1, however, as RHP Brannon Jordan stays in.

Quad Cities misplayed consecutive bunts by 2B Jose Acosta (single) and CF Terence Doston (error) and Wisconsin extended its lead to 6-1 on a 2-out, 2-RBI base hit by RF Joe Gray Jr. Reliever RHP Brannon Jordan pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, so we're onto the 8th.

After a walk and an RBI single in the opening game today, CF Jackson Chourio's gotten 3 hits to drop in 5 innings of the second game, 2 of the infield variety. But the real story is SS Freddy Zamora, who's driven in 4 runs on a 2-RBI double and a 2-run jack to center (his second homer of the season). Biloxi leads 4-0 in the top of the 5th inning. RHP Justin Jarvis has allowed 3 singles and no walks through 4 innings of work thus far.

After a big win in the first game tonight, Biloxi can take a 3-2 series lead with another victory in the 2nd game of today’s doubleheader in Rocket City. 23-year old RHP Justin Jarvis (2.45 ERA in 11 IP) makes his 3rd start of 2023. 2B Ethan Murray earns his 2nd start of the day after a grand slam in the opener.

RHP Tyler Woessner has retired 18 of 21 Quad Cities batters over 6 innings (78 pitches), allowing just an RBI single and two walks. He's struck out 5 River Bandits. 2B Jose Acosta doubled and scored in the 5th inning to restore Wisconsin's lead back to 3-1.

After walking just 19 times in 480 PAs last season (including ZERO in 108 PAs at High-A Wisconsin), 3B Eduardo Garcia has already drawn 7 walks in 46 PAs this year. This is a notable development for the 20-year old. Garcia walked and scored on a double from RF Joe Gray Jr. in the 1st inning here, then C Alex Hall followed with an RBI single, giving RHP Tyler Woessner a nice 2-0 advantage before he threw his first pitch.

Rain outs have postponed tonight's AAA and Low-A games. Carolina will play a doubleheader tomorrow, but the Sounds’ make-up game will come at a later date.

The High-A Timber Rattlers need a victory in Quad Cities to avoid a 4th loss in this week's series. 2022 sixth-round pitch RHP Tyler Woessner (1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 in 10 IP) seeks his 3rd victory of this early season. C Alex Hall (.292 AVG, 1.287 OPS in 27 PAs) has 5 homers in his last 4 games.

AAA Nashville seeks its 3rd straight win in Jacksonville and welcomes 28-year old LHP Thomas Pannone (2.72 ERA in 82.2 IP in Korea last year) for his organizational debut. RF Eddy Alvarez (.353 AVG, 1.132 OPS in 33 PAs) aims to continue his hot start.

OF Hendry Mendez placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list RHP JC Mejia transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville

Biloxi and Rocket City will try it again after yesterday’s rainout, with the Shuckers trailing the series 2-1. RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 9 IP) handles the first game of today’s doubleheader. Switch-hitting LF Noah Campbell (.286 AVG, 1.095 OPS in 21 PAs) starts his 3rd consecutive game.

Janson Junk lowered his ERA to 0.57 in Nashville’s deserved shutout victory. Nate Peterson was equally dominant for Carolina and Alex Hall homered yet again for Wisconsin, though both squads lost. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Janson Junk lowered his ERA to 0.57 in Nashville’s deserved shutout victory. Nate Peterson was equally dominant for Carolina and Alex Hall homered yet again for Wisconsin, though both squads lost. Nashville evened their series 2-2 in Jacksonville, while Wisconsin dropped to 1-3 on the week and Carolina’s 4-game winning streak was halted on a walk-off blast. Biloxi will play two on Saturday after a rainout. Friday’s Game Balls go to Junk, Peterson, Hall, Quinton Low and Abraham Toro. Transactions: OF Sal Frelick placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list OF Skye Bolt activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list OF Tristen Lutz placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 7, Jacksonville 0 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: Big Innings Back Junk In Sounds Shutout Win RHP Janson Junk (5 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 Ks) shook off any rust from not playing since April 12th, matching Jacksonville starter Ronald Bolanos pitch for pitch through the first four scoreless innings. When Bolanos exited after just 63 pitches, the Sounds took advantage with seven consecutive batters reaching base (four singles, three walks) against the Jumbo Shrimp bullpen in the top of the 5th inning. Three Quick Strikes: Cruise control games are nice every once in a while. As little as Jacksonville did against Junk, they were hopelessly bad against Nashville bullpen, as RHPs Pedro Fernandez, Jake Cousins and Luis Contreras combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, with eight strikeouts. 33-year old 2B Eddy Alvarez (2-for-4, double, walk, RBI) wants that International League MVP award, lifting his average to .353 and OPS to 1.132 in yet another sterling game. He did, however, get caught stealing and record his third error of the season. After struggling defensively at first base and second base early in the season, INF/OF Keston Hiura (2-for-5, double, 2 RBIs; .246 AVG, .931 OPS) may very well be settling into the left field job, as he recorded his sixth start there in 2023. The injuries to Garrett Mitchell (shoulder – potentially season-ending) and Sal Frelick (thumb – expected to be short-term) have removed competition for outfield spots. Saturday’s outlook: RHP Robert Stock (10.45 ERA, in 10 1/3 IP) is scheduled to make his 3rd start of 2023 in his 5th appearance, as Nashville seeks its third straight win over Jacksonville. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Rained Out – To be made up in Saturday doubleheader Via the Shuckers’ website, rainout details: Shuckers, Trash Pandas Postponed on Friday Night Saturday’s outlook: Exciting 21-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.00 ERA in 9 IP) and red-hot RHP Justin Jarvis (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 K/9 in 11 IP) are your expected starters in two, 7-inning affairs. Winning the twin-bill would reverse Biloxi’s current 2-1 series deficit in Rocket City. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 6, Wisconsin 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Late Defensive Lapse is Costly for Wisconsin Wisconsin battled back twice in this game, but did just enough to lose it in the end. RHP Stiven Cruz (4 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 1 WP) wasn’t his usual sharp self, giving up homers in the 1st and 3rd innings and exiting with his team down 4-2. Yet another C/OF Alex Hall blast (a 2-run shot) tied the game 4-4 in the 6th inning, but the Timber Rattlers only recorded one hit thereafter, with Quad Cities “out-clutching” them in this tight battle. An error to allow C Darrien Miller to reach base opened the door in the 9th inning, with DH/1B Jesus Chirinos singling to get him to third base with one out. Unfortunately, neither Micah Bello nor Robert Moore could get the base knock to drive in the two necessary runs. Three Quick Strikes: RHP Ryan Brady (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) retired the first seven batters he faced (four via strikeout) before a single and his own error undid his fine effort. He was immediately punished for his errant throw past second base on a potential inning-ending double play in the 7th inning, as the next pitch was lined into left field for a 2-run double. Give credit to Quad Cities for working counts to eventually get to Cruz, forcing him to throw 33 pitches against seven hitters in their 3-run 3rd inning. Although Hall (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) is unstoppable in High-A ball at the moment, hitting his fifth homer in his last four games, the Brewers have to consider the ripple effect of a promotion to AA Biloxi – e.g. would Wes Clarke play more first base and one of Tyler Black, Isaac Collins or Noah Campbell get promoted to AAA? Saturday’s outlook: 23-year old RHP Tyler Woessner (1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 in 10 IP) will aim for another strong starting effort and his third win of 2023, as the Timber Rattlers try to claw back to 3-2 in Quad Cities. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Down East 4, Carolina 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Wood Ducks Walk-Off Mudcats 4-3 Carolina appeared to have its fifth consecutive win in the bag, before a stunning turnaround when Down East was down to its last out. Starting LHP Nate Peterson (4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks, 1 WP) set aside two rough outings to put in a fabulous first start in the Brewers’ organization, exiting with the Mudcats leading 1-0 on a C Matt Wood (2-for-4, RBI) RBI single. Tied 1-1 going into the 9th inning, Carolina confidently followed their recent script, with 2B Jadher Areinamo, INF/OF Jheremy Vargas and SS Daniel Guilarte (1-for-3, 2 walks, RBI, 2 SB) connecting for back-to-back-to-back hits and a 3-1 advantage. This allowed Manager Victor Estevez to get to normally-reliable RHP Shane Smith (2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks), but a double, walk and 3-run walk-off blast to Yosy Galan stunned the Mudcats. Three Quick Strikes: RHP Quinton Low (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks) was exceptional in keeping the game tied over three innings, mowing down Wood Ducks with ease to lower his season ERA to 1.23. If the hitting thing doesn’t work out for this two-way player, an MLB career as a pitcher wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Many Carolina players will believe they should have done more to win this one, outhitting Down East 10-7, leaving nine men on base (vs. five for Down East) and having three baserunners nabbed (two caught stealing, one picked off). The 22-year old Wood appears to have figured out Low-A pitching (.313 AVG, .919 OPS) and he also went 1-for-2 in throwing out basestealers. Keeping up this pace should ultimately force a promotion to High-A ball and maybe force the Brewers hand on the aforementioned Alex Hall as well. Saturday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Vallecillo (1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 5 IP) will try to put Carolina back on the winning track, as they’re one victory away from clinching their first series win of 2023. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Good luck to all squads on Saturday, including Biloxi’s doubleheader. Carolina and Biloxi commence at about 4:00pm central time, while Wisconsin has a late 6:30pm start. 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

Well, I'll be darned. The Mudcats did tack on the extra run to go up 3-1 in the 9th inning. RHP Shane Smith did enter to close it out, striking out two hitters. But then he gave up a 3-run walk-off homer to lose 4-3. What a gut punch. And unhittable RHP Ryan Brady gave up 2 runs to Quad Cities in bottom of the 7th inning (partly due to his own error), after retiring 7 straight batters. A once-promising night has turned sour in a hurry.

LF (usually a catcher) Alex Hall just blasted his 5th homer in 4 games, a 2-run shot to tie the game between Wisconsin and Quad Cities 4-4 in the 6th inning. His OPS is now 1.342.

2B Jadher Areinamo single, LF Jheremy Vargas RBI double. 2-1 Carolina still in the top of the 9th inning. Tack another on!

RHP Quinton Low is getting things done: 3 shutout innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 6 Ks. Now Carolina needs to get that second run, so RHP Shane Smith (guessing he'd close) can lock it down. It's 1-1 going into the 9th inning.

3B Abraham Toro and LF Keston Hiura are 4-for-7 with 5 RBIs (and no Ks!) thus far today, as Nashville pours it on: 7-0 in the 6th inning. Janson Junk has thrown 79 pitches through 5 innings.

Pitching changes have shaken up two of the games: In the 5th inning, Peterson exited for LHP Jakob Brustoski, who gave up two singles and uncorked two wild pitches. It's Carolina 1, Down East 1 going into the 6th inning. Jacksonville replaced their starter after 4 shutout innings and Nashville has promptly responded with 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. It's Nashville 4, Jacksonville 0 (being 1-hit by Janson Junk thus far), still in the 5th inning.

5'10" Nate Peterson is performing far better than one may have expected based on his 2 prior outings. Even when facing a bind with 1 out in the bottom of the 3rd inning (strikeout-reached-on-wild pitch; base hit), he forced two batters into opposite field fly outs to keep the Mudcats up 1-0. Unfortunately, his counterpart (19-year old 6'4" RHP Brock Porter - Rangers #5 prospect on mlb.com) has K'd 7 Mudcats in 13 at-bats through 4 innings. Peterson's staying in for the bottom of the 4th inning.

Friday action is underway, with Tayden Hall singling, Luke Adams walked on 4 pitches, then Matt Wood smacking an RBI single to left field for an early 1-0 Carolina lead. Wood also helped his pitcher by eliminating an attempted base stealer in the bottom half of the frame. Nate Peterson also K'd two Wood Ducks in the inning for a solid start. Go Mudcats!

OF Sal Frelick placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list OF Skye Bolt activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list OF Tristen Lutz placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list