Ro Mueller

Through 5 innings in Durham, Nashville is 1-for-9 with RISP with 5 men left-on-base, while Durham is 1-for-1 with RISP and have stranded zero runners. Durham 2, Nashville 1.

RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez has entered in the bottom of the 6th inning to relieve starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (3 runs, 2 earned). It's a 3-3 tense affair in Lynchburg.

Felix Valerio hit his 7th home run of the season to give Biloxi a 5-1 lead in the 4th inning.

Jonathan Davis (single) and Abraham Almonte (double) were left stranded in the 1st inning, then Durham homered to take an early 1-0 lead over Nashville. Almonte then singled in the 3rd inning to knock in Brian Navaretto to tie it up 1-1.

Carolina's Eduardo Garcia followed up Jackson Chourio's 1st inning solo shot with one of his own (his 3rd of the year) in the 2nd inning, giving Carolina a 2-0 lead. Lynchburg scored an unearned run in the 3rd inning to cut it to 2-1, before Chourio led off the 4th inning with a base hit to put the Mudcats in business.

Biloxi's Sal Frelick doubled in the 1st inning, when the team loaded the bases with nobody out and failed to score. Then he homered in the 2nd inning, a 2-run shot which is his first as a Shucker. Jakson Reetz also doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly in the 3rd inning. Biloxi leads Pensacola 3-0.

Arizona Complex League commences action tomorrow(!) and the Brewers Blue and Gold rosters have been updated: Brewers Blue: https://www.milb.com/arizona-complex/roster/5430 Brewers Gold: https://www.milb.com/arizona-complex/roster/406 Promotions (youngest to oldest): C Felipe Valderrama to ACL Blue C Jason Ollarve to ACL Gold INF Ney Serrano to ACL Blue ($360k bonus Jan 2021; .707 OPS in 173 PAs) INF Gregory Barrios to ACL Gold ($1m bonus Jan 2021; .549 OPS in 116 PAs) INF Jonatan Guzman to ACL Blue (signed Jan 2021; yet to debut) INF Daniel Guilarte to ACL Blue ($1m bonus Jan 2021; yet to debut) OF Luis Castillo to ACL Gold (signed Jan 2021; .629 OPS in 156 PAs) RHP Henrison Mota to ACL Gold (25.1 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12.1 K/9) OF Eduarh Colina to ACL Gold (.741 OPS in 190 PAs) RHP Jesus Rivero to ACL Blue (28.1 IP, 2.22 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 12.1 K/9) RHP Patricio Aquino to ACL Gold (44IP, 2.66 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 11.0 K/9) RHP Gerson Caldazilla to ACL Gold (45 IP, 2.80 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 7.0 K/9) INF Alexander Perez to ACL Blue RHP Rosmel Reyes to ACL Blue RHP Yorman Galindez to ACL Gold (a 2022 signing) LHP Junior Castillo to ACL Blue (41.1 IP, 3.05 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 7.8 K/9) OF Diego Larez to ACL Gold (.753 OPS in 149 PAs) RHP Arielbi Gonzalez to ACL Blue (43,1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.9 K/9) RHP Delson Guzman to ACL Gold RHP Jared Albir to ACL Blue RHP Alexander Vallecillo to ACL Blue (40 IP, 1.80 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8.1 K/9) OF Rafael Martinez to ACL Gold (.774 OPS in 85 PAs) RHP Domingo Mejia to ACL Gold (50 IP, 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 12.1 K/9)

Wisconsin did well to start off this Sunday with a Win(!) - 5-1 over Peoria. RHP Justin Jarvis continued his fine form (6 innings, 1 run, 3 hits), while 4 of the Timber Rattler runs were scored via homers by Zavier Warren, Ashton McGee (it's awesome to see him hitting consistently again) and MLB Veteran Alex Hall.

This week in Lynchburg has been a struggle for our Low-A Mudcats, who trail the series 4-1 entering tonight's finale. Starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (3.22 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 in 36 2/3 innings) will make his 10th appearance. Keen-eyed 1B Jesus Chirinos has an 11-game on-base streak (9 hits, 10 walks over the period):

The AAA Sounds are down 3-2 in this week's series in Durham, so need a victory today to avoid their first series loss of 2022. Solid RHP Dylan File (3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 44 1/3 innings) will make his 11th appearance of the season. LF Abraham Almonte comes into the game with an 8-game hitting streak:

The Shuckers are down 4-1 in this week's series in Pensacola and turn to starting LHP Nick Bennett (5.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 in 38 innings in AA) to turn things around. 3B Yeison Coca has had a nice 3-game run (6-for-12, HR, 5 RBIs):

As far as the Arizona Complex League goes, I hope we'll see the likes of: 18-year old SS Daniel Guilarte ($1m bonus in Jan 2021, but yet to debut at any level) 18-year old SS Gregory Barrios ($1m bonus in Jan 2021, .550 OPS in the DSL weighed down by .239 BABIP) 18-year old INF Ney Serrano ($360k bonus in Jan 2021, .707 OPS in DSL) 18-year old C Edgardo Ordonez (signed Jan 2021, .867 OPS in DSL) 20-year old OF Rafael Martinez (signed July 2018, .774 OPS in DSL last year) 19-year old OF Diego Larez (signed July 2019, .752 OPS in DSL last year) 19-year old OF Eduarh Colina (signed July 2019, .741 OPS in DSL last year)

The Timber Rattlers get us started for today's series finales, needing a win to split the week 3-3 at home against Peoria. Starting RHP Justin Jarvis had a nice month of May (2.73 ERA in 26 2/3 innings with 31 Ks). RF Arbert Cipion hasn't skipped a beat since his promotion, hitting his first homer in High-A yesterday and now sporting a 7-game hitting streak (5 pre-promotion, 2 post):

The Brewers’ full season affiliates added a victory-filled May (60 wins, 41 losses) to their super April (50 wins, 33 losses). Wisconsin’s Cam Robinson (seven saves, 0.00 ERA) is the clear award winner for relief pitcher, while the starting pitcher and top hitter awards could have gone any number of ways. The choices here are Carolina’s Carlos F. Rodriguez for 2.01 ERA-ball and 30 strikeouts over six games and Abraham Almonte, who hit six dingers and registered an OPS of 1.154 for Nashville. Image courtesy of (Brett Friedlander / North State Journal) Carolina Mudcats pitcher Carlos Rodriguez delivers during a game May 19 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. The Brewers’ full season affiliates added a victory-filled May (60 wins, 41 losses) to their super April (50 wins, 33 losses). Wisconsin’s Cam Robinson (seven saves, 0.00 ERA) is the clear award winner for relief pitcher, while the starting pitcher and top hitter awards could have gone any number of ways. The choices here are Carolina’s Carlos F. Rodriguez for 2.01 ERA-ball and 30 strikeouts over six games and Abraham Almonte, who hit six dingers and registered an OPS of 1.154 for Nashville. Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month: RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez – Low-A Carolina Entering the month of May with an ERA of 13.50 after the first three appearances of his MILB career, we can all be forgiven for not realizing that the 20-year old Rodriguez was about to flip the switch which would have certain Brewer Fanatics putting him in their Top 20 Prospect List just a few weeks later. The 2021 6th round pick out of JUCO ball (Florida Southwestern State College), who didn’t actually play minor league baseball in his draft year, made six long appearances (including three starts) in the month of May, averaging 55 pitches per outing. In a 180-degree turnaround from his April work, the native Nicaraguan never allowed more than four baserunners in any outing and was only tagged for extra base hits three times in 76 at-bats. Let’s let Rodriguez' May numbers speak for themselves: ERA: 2.01 (second among Brewer MILB starters) WHIP: 0.76 (tops among Brewer MILB starters) K/9: 12.1 – 30 in 22 1/3 innings AVG: .171 OPS: .485 Win-Loss: 0-0 Saves: 1 Wait, no wins or losses but one save?! Well, that’s what happens when you pitch four innings in pretty much every contest. The save was earned via four innings of shutout work in a 13-0 Carolina victory, in which the score was actually 2-0 during the first two innings which Rodriguez pitched. While RHP Miguel Segura had initially caught my eye as the youngest pitcher on the Mudcats, the reality is that the squad has five exciting 20-year old longmen: Segura, Edwin Jimenez, Rodriguez, Stiven Cruz and Alexander Cornielle. Of those, only Rodriguez was drafted ($250,000 signing bonus) and all are from Latin America (two Nicaraguans, two Venezuelans, one Dominican). {Insert Picture - see attached} Carolina Mudcats pitcher Carlos Rodriguez delivers during a game May 19 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. (Brett Friedlander / North State Journal) After his breakout month of May, don’t be surprised if Carlos F. Rodriguez is the leader of the Young Mudcat Guns going forward. Way to go, Carlos!! Other Top Starting Pitchers in May 2022 LHP Brandon Knarr – High-A Wisconsin Knarr continued his terrific season by winning all five of his May starts and posting the top ERA amongst among Brewer MILB starters in the month (1.55), concluding the first two months with a minuscule 1.58 ERA, 7-1 record and 60 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings pitched. Wait, Knarr was robbed! Is this discrimination against a non-draftee (the five-round 2020 MLB draft due to Covid likely cost Mr. Knarr a better signing bonus out of the University of Tampa). Is it ageism against the now-24 year old (birthday on June 2)? The margin of victory for these monthly awards is tight and this writer docked him slightly for the old peripherals – 1.14 WHIP in a pitching league (1.29 average Midwest League WHIP in May) and a relatively low 37% ground ball rate amongst batted balls. Knarr’s May numbers ERA: 1.55 (first amongst Brewer MILB starters) WHIP: 1.14 K/9: 12.4 – 33 in 29 innings (first amongst Brewer MILB starters) AVG: .243 OPS: .595 Win-Loss: 5-0 RHP Jason Alexander – AAA Nashville After a respectable April (2.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3-1 record), I was still reserving judgment on account of Alexander’s 5.4 K/9 rate and the fact that he’d only pitched 19 2/3 innings in the 2021 season. However, 29-year old Jason Alexander has proven to be an extremely effective ground ball pitcher (64% of batted balls over two months; 68% in May), improving upon all of his April stats over the past month while notching another three wins. As an awesome reward, Mr. Alexander was promoted to Milwaukee on June 1st for his first-ever big league call-up. Alexanders’ May numbers ERA: 2.60 WHIP: 0.94 K/9: 6.8 – 21 in 27 2/3 innings AVG: .196 OPS: .563 Win-Loss: 3-1 LHP Antoine Kelly – High-A Wisconsin When former 2nd round draft pick Antoine Kelly is on, opposing hitters at the High-A level can only flail away and hope a few balls drop in. This month, he was totally locked in for two games, only-dominant for another two games and then human in his 5th start: First start: 5 IP, no runs, 10 strikeouts – no decision Next two starts: 12 IP, 3 runs (2 earned), 7 strikeouts – both no decisions Fourth start: 5 2/3 IP, 0 runs if life were fair (though 3 came across via dumb Cub luck), 13 strikeouts – no decision Last start: 4 2/3 IP, 6 runs (5 earned), 7 strikeouts – loss One has to believe the 22-year old Kelly is a promotion candidate in the near future. Kelly’s May numbers ERA: 3.29 WHIP: 0.95 K/9: 12.2 – 37 in 27 1/3 innings AVG: .167 OPS: .503 Win-Loss: 0-1 Honourable Mentions: LHP Andy Otero (2.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP), RHP Victor Castaneda (1.17 WHIP, 12.0 K/9), RHP Stiven Cruz (1.18 WHIP, 13.9 K/9), RHP Dylan File (2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP), Justin Jarvis (2.73 ERA, 10.6 K/9) Checking in on Last Month’s Winner: LHP Ethan Small – AAA Nashville Ethan Small continued his solid AAA work and was also rewarded with his first-even promotion to Milwaukee, though returned back to Nashville after the game: AAA in May: 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 15 innings MLB in May: 6.75 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 in 2 2/3 innings Minor League Hitter for the Month: OF Abraham Almonte of AAA Nashville Most visitors to the minor league portion of this website probably follow along closely enough to know that the AAA Nashville Sounds continued their winning ways throughout the month of May (17-8 for the month, after a 16-7 April), but possibly make assumptions when it comes to the underlying key contributors. Let’s be clear: Outfielder Abraham Almonte was the Sounds’ top offensive performer this month and in fact was the top Brewers’ hitter across the minor league system. Sure, there’s the six home runs, 14 RBIs and 1.154 OPS for the month, but one stat stands out above the rest: a .723 slugging percentage, which was 82 points above any other player (Catcher Jakson Reetz - .641) in the Brewers’ system for the month. Let’s review the 32-year old, switch-hitting Almonte’s numbers during May 2022: Slash: .298 AVG / .431 OBP / .723 SLG OPS: 1.154 (56.8% above the International League average) Hitting: 14-for-47 Home runs: 6 Extra base hits: 8 RBIs: 14 Runs scored: 14 Walks + HBP vs. Strikeouts: 11 vs. 12 The principal blemish on his month was that he missed the first dozen days due to injury, so only played in 12 games. However, he made up for that gap in a big way. After easing back in over his first five games (4-for-19 with 3 walks), it was all fireworks for Mr. Almonte from there: May 21: 3-for-4, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, 9 total bases May 26: 2-for-5, 3 total bases May 27: 1-for-4, home run, 2 RBIs, 4 total bases May 28: 1-for-4, home run, 3 RBIs, 4 total bases May 29: 2-for-4, home run, 2 RBIs, 6 total bases May 30: 1-for-3, home run, RBI, 4 total bases Playing full-time in AAA as a corner outfielder at 32 years old can obviously make one wonder whether Major League Baseball is still in the cards for Abraham Almonte, so it’s worth noting that he’s seen time in the majors every year for the past nine seasons, including 175 plate appearances (.730 OPS) in 2021 with World Series champ Atlanta. Coupled with his current form, you can bet that Mr. Almonte has his eye on a return to The Show.Other Top Hitters in May 2022 OF Arbert Cipion – Low-A Carolina Although 18-year old super-prospect Jackson Chourio is rightfully garnering all the headlines these days, 22-year old Arbert Cipion was actually the Mudcats’ top hitter during the month of May, which the squad truly needed after the promotions of OF Micah Bello (May 3) and RHP Ryne Moore (May 12). And just like that, the 2018 9th round pick was rewarded for his excellent month with a promotion to High-A Wisconsin on June 2nd. Cipion’s May numbers Slash: .358 AVG / .469 OBP / .582 SLG OPS: 1.051 OPS (50.8% above the Carolina League average) Hitting: 24-for-67 Home runs: 3 Extra base hits: 7 RBIs: 9 Runs scored: 18 Walks + HBP vs. Strikeouts: 14 vs. 14 OF Tristan Peters – High-A Wisconsin If we’re being honest, most of us had Tristan Peters pegged to start the season at Low-A Carolina and didn’t necessarily even believe the initial 2022 posting at High-A Wisconsin would stick. To be fair to us, a 7th round draft selection in 2021 with a $147,500 signing bonus who put up a .737 OPS in the Arizona Complex League (55 plate appearances) doesn’t exactly scream Skip Low-A Ball. But the 22-year old left-handed hitting Peters can simply play, coupling with INF Tyler Black as the most dependable bats the Timber Rattlers have through two months of the 2022 campaign. Tristan’s .774 OPS in April was certainly no fluke, as he proved with a tremendous May. Peters’ May numbers Slash: .319 AVG / .405 OBP / .596 SLG OPS: 1.001 OPS (43.4% above the Midwest League average) Hitting: 30-for-94 Home runs: 3 Extra base hits: 15 RBIs: 15 Runs scored: 23 Walks + HBP vs. Strikeouts: 15 vs. 13 C Jakson Reetz – AA Biloxi Similar to Peters, Jakson Reetz also demonstrated that his surprising April (1.041 OPS in 44 plate appearances) was not a flash-in-the-pan. Having hit free agency from the Washington Nationals for the first time at the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Brewers can count their lucky stars (or proudly puff out their chests) that they inked this intriguing 26-year old to a minor league contract. Reetz’ May numbers Slash: .281 AVG / .425 OBP / .641 SLG OPS: 1.066 OPS (37.5% above the Southern League average) Hitting: 18-for-64 Home runs: 7 Extra base hits: 9 RBIs: 15 Runs scored: 16 Walks + HBP vs. Strikeouts: 16 vs. 22 INF Tyler Black – High-A Wisconsin Being the 33rd overall pick of the 2021 draft, 21-year old left-handed hitting Tyler Black is honestly doing what we expect, while thankfully proving that last season’s .660 OPS at Low-A Carolina (103 plate appearances) was nothing to worry about. Is a promotion to AA Biloxi on the cards? Black’s May numbers Slash: .301 AVG / .416 OBP / .518 SLG OPS: .934 OPS (33.8% above the Midwest League average) Hitting: 25-for-83 Home runs: 4 Extra base hits: 8 RBIs: 13 Runs scored: 19 Walks + HBP vs. Strikeouts: 17 vs. 18 Honorable Mentions: INF Mark Mathias in AAA (.971 OPS), C Brent Diaz in AA (.609 SLG), OF Jackson Chourio in Low-A (33 hits, 17 RBIs), OF Carlos D. Rodriguez in High-A (8 doubles), INF/OF Pablo Reyes in AAA (.913 OPS), OF Joey Wiemer in AA (9 homers), OF Tristen Lutz in AA (.945 OPS), C Mario Feliciano in AAA (.400 AVG) Checking in on Last Month’s Winner: OF Micah Bello – Low-A Carolina (since promoted): After carrying Low-A Carolina offensively in April (.994 OPS, 13 RBIs), the 21-year old Bello was deservedly promoted to High-A Wisconsin on May 3, though there’s some initial struggle: High-A in May: .167 AVG / .239 OBP / .286 SLG in 47 plate appearances Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month: RHP Cam Robinson of High-A Wisconsin Most of these decisions are difficult, but thankfully not this one. Cam Robinson registered a whopping seven saves in the month of May (next highest: Zach Vennaro with two) and didn’t yield any runs over 16 innings of work. Let’s see Robinson's eye-popping May numbers: ERA: 0.00 ERA WHIP: 0.63 K/9: 10.7 – 19 in 16 innings AVG: .100 OPS: .336 Win-Loss: 0-0 Saves: 7 Thanks to @CMehring & @byKyleLobner’s podcast, we can listen to Cam’s deep insight into what’s working so well for him at the moment: scroll to 9:21. Between the solid strikeout rate and a groundball rate of 78% of batted balls during the month, opposing offenses proved futile against the 2017 23rd round draft pick (signing bonus not noted – i.e. pitifully low). Let’s revel in those saves a bit: May 4: Preserved 2-run lead. Faced 6 batters, recording 6 outs May 7: Preserved 3-run lead. Stranded 2 inherited runners. Faced 7 batters, recording 6 outs May 11: Preserved 1-run lead. Faced 7 batters, recording 6 outs May 14: Preserved 1-run lead: Faced 7 batters, recording 6 outs May 17: Preserved 2-run lead. Faced 3 batters, recording 3 outs May 29: Preserved 2-run lead. Faced 6 batters, recording 3 outs May 31: Preserved 1-run lead. Faced 3 batters, recording 3 outs Man, I bet AA Biloxi can’t wait to get access to Mr. Robinson’s services. Just 22 years old, Cam Robinson has found his niche and is determined to take it all the way to the top. Other Top Relief Pitchers in May 2022 RHP Michele Vassalotti – Low-A Carolina After a promising 2018 season as a 17-year old in Arizona, Michele Vassalotti endured some trying times from 2019-2021 and faced a shift to full-time bullpen work at Low-A Carolina in 2022. Well, the bullpen (supported by his strong mental game and improved fitness) obviously suits him, as evidenced by his 1.64 ERA, .128 batting average against, 7-0 win-loss record and three saves through two months of 2022. Still just 21 years old, the Venezuelan Vassalotti appears ready for promotion to High-A Wisconsin and has many more years of terrific baseball ahead of him. Vassalotti’s May numbers ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 0.45 K/9: 11.5 – 14 in 11 innings AVG: .105 OPS: .402 Win-Loss: 5-0 Saves: 1 RHP Kent Hasler – High-A Wisconsin Undrafted out of Louisiana Tech in 2018, Kent Hasler dominated in three seasons of independent ball before the Brewers had the good fortune to sign him in May 2021. After registering a 3.07 ERA and 16.4 K/9 in 44 innings in 2021 (mostly at Low-A Carolina), the 26-year old Hasler continues to wreak havoc in 2022, this time against High-A opposition. Through two months, his 1.04 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 and .159 batting average against are all pretty strong signs that Hasler’s ready to face a more advanced challenge. Speak of the angel: Kent Hasler was promoted to AAA Nashville on June 4th. Hasler’s May numbers ERA: 0.71 WHIP: 0.95 K/9: 14.9 – 21 in 12 2/3 innings AVG: .152 OPS: .409 Win-Loss: 3-0 Saves: 0 Honourable Mentions: RHP Junior Montero (0.00 ERA, 11.3 K/9), RHP Joey Matulovich (0.77 ERA, 0.60 WHIP), RHP Connor Sadzeck (1.13 ERA, 12.4 K/9), RHP Zach Vennaro (1.00 WHIP, 2 saves), LHP Pablo Garabitos (1.00 WHIP, 12.0 K/9), RHP Luis Contreras (0.84 ERA, 11.0 K/9), RHP Harold Chirino (1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP) Checking in on Last Month’s Winner: RHP Peter Strzelecki – AAA Nashville Mr. Strzelecki was inconsistent in his 6 AAA relief appearances, reverting to the mean a bit AAA in May: 7.04 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, 17.6 K/9 in 7 2/3 innings However, seeing his overall strong performance, Peter had his contract selected by the Brewers on May 30th to reach the major leagues for the first time. Thank you all for reading and following our minor league heroes at Brewer Fanatic. Do you agree with the selections for May? Let us know what you think in the comments below! 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Why Taylor Floyd and his teammates had to suffer through this humiliation, I really don't understand. That's Biloxi's 4th 1-run loss to Pensacola this week, after giving up 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Floyd's ERA is now 12.60 and he only struck out 1 of the 12 batters he faced. This should have been the "Yeison Coca game" - home run, 2-RBI double. Dang it.

Kind of sad to see RHP Taylor Floyd thrown out there to struggle for a second consecutive inning, after being fortunate to escape within only 1 run given up in the 8th inning. Pensacola has scored 3 in the 9th to tie it 7-7, still with only 1 out. And even with that, Floyd pitched to yet another batter, walking him. And still stays in...

Tied 2-2 in their series at home against the Peoria Chiefs this week and still in 2nd place in their division (1 game behind Cedar Rapids), RHP Max Lazar (5.19 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 5.2 K/9 in 26 innings) gets the starting nod today. CF Joe Gray Jr. cleared the .200 season batting average level with a 4-for-5 day yesterday and looks to push his OPS above .700 today (presently .697):

Yesterday's painful loss (the 3rd one-run loss of this series) put Biloxi down 3-1 for the week in Pensacola and 1.5 games out of first place. Tonight's starter RHP Noah Navolas (10.13 ERA, 2.06 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 in 10 2/3 innings) hopes to find his correct form after missing the start of the season. Offensively, you cannot sit Jakson Reetz (1.122 OPS through 138 plate appearances); you just have to put him in left field from time to time:

With this week's series in Durham evened up at 2-2, AAA Nashville sends RHP Alec Bettinger (8.18 ERA, 2.27 WHIP, 4.9 K/9 in 11 innings) to the mound for his 5th appearance (4th start) of the year. Table-setting CF Jonathan Davis comes in with a 16-game on-base streak:

Down 3-1 in this week's Battle Royale in Lynchburg, the Mudcats need a win today to have any hope of leaving the series as they entered it: in first place in the division. Today's starter RHP Fernando Olguin (4.97 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 in 12 2/3 innings) is making his 4th start. CF Jackson Chourio continues to provide consistent offense, currently riding a 10-game hitting streak:

AA Biloxi is down 2-1 in their series in Pensacola, but also only trails the Blue Wahoos by one-half game for first place in the Southern League South Division. RHP Victor Castaneda (2.84 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 in 44 1/3 innings) will start tonight, making the game his 10th appearance of 2022, Offensively, Manager Guerrero is going with same exact lineup which scored 10 runs last night:

RHP Edwin Jimenez has come on in relief of Israel Puello to start the 6th inning. ...and he gave up a home run on the 3rd pitch he threw. Lynchburg 5, Carolina 0.

Caleb Boushley looked like he would escape the 3rd inning unharmed, but let a 1-2 count get away from him for a walk, followed by Josh Lowe fouling off 4 pitches before doubling home 2 runs. It's Nashville 4, Durham 2.

We've got an early 4-0 lead in Durham and an early 4-0 deficit in Lynchburg: Corey Ray smacked a 2nd inning grand slam for Nashville on a 1-out, full count pitch Carolina's Israel Puello gave up 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in the first 2 innings before settling in