Ro Mueller

Castaneda & Co. tossed a shutout for Biloxi. Four solo home runs and strong pitching won it for Nashville. Knarr dominated again for Wisconsin. Carolina’s offense was unable to support a solid pitching effort. Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Nashville OF Weston Wilson) Castaneda & Co. tossed a shutout for Biloxi. Four solo home runs and strong pitching won it for Nashville. Knarr dominated again for Wisconsin. Carolina’s offense was unable to support a solid pitching effort. After collectively scuffling for four days, Milwaukee’s minor league pitchers stepped to the fore on Thursday night, giving up a combined 6 runs across four 9-inning contests, with Biloxi leading the way with a shutout at home. Nashville and Wisconsin were also winners this evening, although Carolina was done in by missed opportunities in the early innings. Despite pitchers only constituting 2 of the Brewers’ top 13 prospects (including Aaron Ashby – so let’s call it 1 of 12) in our Brewer Fanatic Pre-Season Top 25 Prospect Poll, those apparently under-appreciated arms have actually been doing the heavy lifting throughout this month: AAA Nashville – easily the top ERA in the 20-team International League at 2.52 (second place is Iowa at 3.15, third is Toledo at 3.53) AA Biloxi – also easily tops the ERA listing in the 8-team Southern League at 3.19 (second place is this week’s opponent Pensacola at 3.68) High-A Wisconsin – a more-than-respectable 6th place in ERA in the 12-team Midwest League at 3.97, skewed by an 18-run affair last week Low-A Carolina – not applicable. They’re young! ? Thursday night’s starting pitchers combined to cover 22 1/3 innings, yielding only 3 runs, 14 hits and 6 walks, while striking out 24 opposing hitters. Combined with solid relief pitching (12 2/3 innings, 2 runs), our hurlers are posting notice that they’re ready to move up the prospect lists. Of course, some offense was required as well and tonight was about solo homers: 2 by Weston Wilson and 1 each for Wes Clarke, Brice Turang, Jon Singleton and Freddy Zamora. And let’s not forget Antonio Pinero and his 2-run homer for Wisconsin. Game Balls this night go to RHP Victor Castaneda, LHP Brandon Knarr, RHP Caleb Boushley, RHP Ryne Moore and LF Weston Wilson. Transactions: None Game Action: Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Down East 2, Carolina 0 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Carolina Shut Out 2-0 at Down East Although the squad had four promising scoring opportunities, none came to fruition on this frustrating night for our young Mudcats: Hedbert Perez was thrown out at home on Eduardo Garcia’s 1st inning single Leadoff 2nd inning hits by Jesus Chirinos and Oswel Leones produced nothing A leadoff Jesus Chirinos single and two-out Zack Raabe walk didn’t result in any run in the 7th inning A Hedbert Perez single and a Eduardo Garcia triple in the 8th inning didn’t result in a run, undone by an intervening double play RHP Ryne Moore’s first inning had a bit of everything: infield single, hit-by-pitch, throwing error, two stolen bases, walk, regular single, strikeout. But thankfully the damage was only one run, with 3B Luis Silva throwing out one Wood Duck at home. The second inning was a bit unfair to Mr. Moore, with a 2-out walk and a balk (after 2 strikeouts to open the frame) setting the stage for a run-scoring single to put the deficit at 2-0. Thankfully, C Jeferson Quero’s second throwing error in the first three innings did not cost Moore and the Mudcats a run in the 3rd inning. In all, Moore only yielded 2 hits and recorded 9 strikeouts in his 6 innings of solid work, but unfortunately had to take the loss. LHP Pablo Garabitos and RHP Junior Montero continued to baffle Down East hitters thereafter, but the Carolina offense couldn’t quite come through. Performances of Note: Eduardo Garcia – 2-4, triple Jesus Chirinos – 2-4 Hedbert Perez – 1-4, SB Ryne Moore (Loss) – 6 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP, 1 balk, 9 Ks Pablo Garabitos – 1 inning, zero runs, 1 hit, 2 Ks Junior Montero – 1 inning, zero runs, zero hits, 1 walk, 2 Ks Friday’s outlook: Today’s essentially a doubleheader, as the squads need to complete the remaining 8 1/2 innings from Tuesday’s contest before moving on to a 7-inning second game. RHP Israel Puello is slated to start one of the games, as he tries to forget his last appearance (7 earned runs in 2 innings). My money is on RHP Edwin Jimenez making the other start, with RHP Jefferson Figueroa also throwing a few innings. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 6, Peoria 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Knarr K’s Seven in Six Scoreless Innings for Rattlers Win at Peoria LHP Brandon Knarr decided to make a late run for Brewer Minor League Pitcher of the Month, blanking the Chiefs for 6 innings to lower his ERA to 1.61 after four terrific appearances this month, with 27 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings. It’s clear his mind is on earning a promotion to AA Biloxi before his 24th birthday coming in early June. The Knarr-ly effort was necessary, as the only thing which separated the Timber Rattlers and Chiefs after six innings was Wes Clarke’s solo home run on a 2-0 count in the 4th inning. Thankfully, Peoria’s impressive 21-year old RHP Dionys Rodriguez exited after six innings and Wisconsin immediately feasted on the relief core, starting with a Carlos D. Rodriguez single and then Antonio Pinero’s first home run of 2022, matching his total of last year. Two walks and a hit-by-pitch set up Clarke (single) and Zavier Warren to drive in 2 more runs and extend the lead to 6-0. RHPs Kent Hasler and RHPs Cam Robinson weren’t as sharp as usual (4 hits, 2 runs in 2 innings), but let’s blame it on rustiness. Hasler has only thrown 4 2/3 innings thus far and Robinson hadn’t pitched in a full week. Performances of Note: Wes Clarke – 2-5, HR, 3 RBIs Antonio Pinero – 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs Zavier Warren – 2-4, double, 1 RBI Sal Frelick – 1-4, walk, SB Brandon Knarr (Win) – 6 innings, zero runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, 7 Ks Kent Hasler – 2 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, zero walks, 3 Ks Friday’s outlook: Always-impressive LHP Antoine Kelly (2.62 ERA in 13 2/3 innings) makes his 4th start of the year as Wisconsin tries to even this week’s series in Peoria at 2 games apiece. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 3, Pensacola 0 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Shutout Wahoos For Second Night Manager Mike Guerrero must have played a hunch. Moving SS Freddy Zamora up to 2nd in the lineup in spite of his .204 AVG / .245 OBP / .245 SLG slash line entering the game, Zamora came through in the bottom of the first inning with his first home run of the season. And for RHP Victor Castaneda, that was the only run he needed. After escaping a first-and-third, 1-out situation in the 1st inning by striking out Griffin Conine and inducing an infield pop up from old friend Luis Aviles Jr., Castaneda only allowed one more baserunner to reach over the next 4 innings. Oh, and he picked that runner off of first base to keep things neat and clean. Apparently tiring in the 6th inning by giving up consecutive walks, RHP Luis Contreras picked him up by stranding both runners and also blanking Pensacola in the top of the 7th inning. Being too close for comfort at 1-0 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Shuckers’ bats woke up, with a Cam Devanney single plating Brent Diaz (who had doubled) and then Jakson Reetz (don’t underestimate this man and his 1.096 OPS) scoring Devanney to extend the lead to 3-0. Thereafter, RHP Nash Walter and RHP Zach Vennaro continued the strong work to complete the shutout. Performances of Note: Jakson Reetz – 2-3, double, RBI Freddy Zamora – 1-4, HR, RBI Cam Devanney – 1-3, RBI Brent Diaz – 1-3, double Thomas Dillard – 1-3 Victor Castaneda (Win) – 5 1/3 innings, zero runs, 3 hits, 2 walks, 5 Ks Luis Contreras – 1 2/3 innings, zero runs, zero hits, 1 walk, 2 Ks Nash Walters – 1 inning, zero runs, zero hits, zero walks, 1 K Zach Vennaro (Save) – 1 innings, zero runs, 1 hit, zero walks Friday’s outlook: LHP Nick Bennett is scheduled to take this one, looking to bounce back from his last outing (5 runs in a loss), as Biloxi aims to seize a 3-1 series lead over Pensacola. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 6, St. Paul 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Solo Shots Power Sounds Past St. Paul A late switch saw RHP Caleb Boushley called to start a day earlier than expected, but the Hortonville and La Crosse man was unfazed and up to the challenge. Of course, it helps when super-prospect Brice Turang gets things rolling with a first-inning blast, his first of the year. In fact, it was a pleasant night of solo efforts, with four of the Sounds’ six runs coming on homers, including Weston Wilson extending the lead to 2-0 in the 2nd inning. Nashville then extended it to 4-0 thanks to a Pablo Reyes single, 4 walks and a wild pitch. It may have been a bigger inning if not for St. Paul gunning down Turang at home on an infield grounder. Boushley’s sole blemish was a run in the bottom of the third inning, in part created by the speed of the Twins’ own super-prospect Royce Lewis (infield single, stolen base, scored on a single). Jon Singleton joined the bachelor party in the 5th inning with a solo shot to authoritatively end his 0-for-19 skid at the plate, pushing the lead to 5-1. St. Paul managed to cut that deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the 6th inning, with two singles and a double off RHP Thomas Jankins, but impressive field work caught a Saint at 3rd base to lessen the threat (LF Weston Wilson to SS Brice Turang to 3B Andruw Monasterio). In the 8th inning, Wilson added his second homer of the night for the 6-2 final margin. RHPs Zack Brown, Pete Strzelecki and Luis Perdomo were again solid to keep the Saints’ bats quiet, as Strzelecki and Perdomo in particular battle for the coveted Brewers’ Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month award. Performances of Note: Weston Wilson – 2-4, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs Pablo Reyes – 2-5, 1 SB Jon Singleton – 1-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs Brice Turang – 1-4, HR, walk, RBI Andruw Monasterio – 1-2, 2 walks, 2 SBs Caleb Boushley – 5 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 balk, 3 Ks Zack Brown – 1 inning, zero run, zero hits, zero walks, 1 K Pete Strzelecki – 1 inning, zero runs, zero hits, zero walks, 1 K Luis Perdomo – 1 inning, zero runs, zero hits, zero walks Friday’s outlook: LHP Ethan Small (0.49 ERA in 18 1/3 innings) got an extra day of rest in advance of his 5th start of the month. Nashville needs a win to even this week’s series in St. Paul 2-2. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck tonight, Brewers’ affiliates! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Wes Clarke has hit his second home run of the year for Wisconsin, who leads 1-0 in the 4th inning. That's our 4th solo shot in the system tonight thus far.

Jon Singleton may be 0 for his last 19 at-bats, but he just got an RBI on a walk. 3-0 Sounds in the 3rd inning

In addition to Brice Turang's first homer of the season (AAA Nashville), Freddy Zamora has also hit his first (AA Biloxi) and Weston Wilson (AAA Nashville) has hit his second. 1-0 Biloxi leading Pensacola in the 2nd inning 2-0 Nashville ahead of St. Paul also in the 2nd inning Meanwhile, Carolina's had a runner thrown out at home in the 1st and failed to score with 2-on, nobody out in the 2nd inning. Down 0-2 to Down East in the 5th inning. No score in the Wisconsin game against Peoria in the 3rd inning.

The AA Shuckers defeated Pensacola yesterday to even this week's series 1-1. RHP Victor Castaneda starts today and has been in excellent form (2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 15 innings). Surprise stud C Jakson Reetz (5-game hitting streak; 1.045 OPS in 36 plate appearances) hits 8th today:

AAA Nashville is down 0-2 in their series in St. Paul. RHP Caleb Boushley aims for a 3rd straight great start (2 wins, 10 innings, 1 run, 12 Ks) to claw back a game. LF Weston Wilson went 2-for-3 yesterday with a double and a walk as he tries to heat up again (.267 AVG / .389 OBP / .400 SLG):

Somewhat oddly, Nashville has swapped Caleb Boushley’s and Ethan Small’s starts, so Boushley goes on 4 days’ rest today and Small will go tomorrow on 6 days’ rest.

Great! Thanks!! The top 6 are not disappointing in the least!!

Low-A Carolina won the series opener at Down East (Kinston, NC) yesterday and RHP Ryne Moore takes the mound today looking for his 2nd straight solid start (2 hits, no earned runs in last start). Keen-eyed RF Hendry Mendez (13 walks in 56 plate appearances) is batting 2nd:

After losing 3 straight games, the Timber Rattlers turn to LHP Brandon Knarr (2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 16 1/3 innings) to turn the tide in Peoria. CF Sal Frelick, who went 3-for-4 yesterday with his 2nd homer of the year, will lead things off:

Our AA Shuckers have lost 6 of their past 7 games, so today’s mission is to take the lead over Pensacola and hold it. RHP Tyler Herb makes his 4th start (2.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 in 12 1/3 innings). RF Joey Wiemer leads the offense, having gone 2-for-3 yesterday with a double and a walk to boost his season slash to .339 AVG / .414 OPS / .532 SLG:

Timber Rattlers' manager Joe Ayrault was ejected in the first inning, so I'm going to assume he did not agree with a play at the plate which gave Peoria an early 1-0 lead. Or maybe he needed to buy some items at Mall of America and heard the crowds were light today. 2-2 game in the 8th inning. Go Wisconsin!

Hey, the young Carolina Mudcats snapped their 4-game skid, winning 8-6 to even up their record at 8-8. Take note: it's best to bunch your hits together : 2 hits in 2nd inning - 1 run 4 hits in 5th inning - 3 runs 4 hits in 7th inning - 4 runs Other six innings combined: 1 hit, 0 runs. Hendry Mendez and Micah Bello each reached base 3 times.

After an opening-game loss yesterday, AAA Nashville tries to even the series in St. Paul, with veteran RHP Josh Lindblom making his 4th start (2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.4 K/9) of the season. With hits in his last 6 games, SS Brice Turang has raised his slash to .313 AVG / .370 OBP / .433 SLG:

After a terrific start to the season, High-A Wisconsin now finds themselves riding a 2-game losing streak. Never fear, RHP Max Lazar is on the mound to make his 4th appearance and 2nd start of the season, this one in Peoria. DH Darrien Miller homered and singled yesterday, which is a hopeful sign for the offense. However, 2B Tyler Black is out of the lineup after yesterday's collision:

With Monday's day off and Tuesday's game suspended in the first inning, the Mudcats and Wood Ducks should be especially fresh. RHP Brannon Jordan makes his 4th start of the year. He's been solid (3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 15.0 K/9), though he's still chasing his first win of 2022:

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Wednesday, lineup updates, etc. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

AA Biloxi (9-6) is home this week for 6 games against Pensacola (6-9), with LHP Andy Otero leading the squad in the series opener tonight. CF Garrett Mitchell enters the contest with a 9-game hitting streak:

The first place Nashville Sounds (13-5) travel to take on the third place St. Paul Saints (10-7) this week, with undefeated RHP Jason Alexander (3-0) on the mound tonight. 1B Tyler White enters with a 7-game hit streak, during which he has hit 3 home runs:

The Mudcats' game has been suspended in the first inning. They'll play the remaining 8 1/2 innings of this game on Friday, followed by a 7-inning game.

High-A Wisconsin (11-4) travels this week to face the Peoria Chiefs (7-8), aiming for a 4th straight series victory. LHP Russell Smith tries to bounce back from a rough last outing (7 runs, 5 earned in 2 1/3 innings). DH Tristan Peters comes in riding a 6-game hitting streak:

Low-A Carolina (7-8) goes on the road for a 6-game series against Down East (7-8), trying to snap a 4-game losing streak. RHP Ryne Moore looks for a second straight solid start (5 innings, 1 run (unearned), 2 hits, 4 walks, 5 Ks in his last appearance). C Jeferson Quero has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games:

- RHP Matt Hardy assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville Presumably, this will give Hardy more opportunities, after throwing just one inning (19 pitches) thus far in 2022. This will also help Biloxi fill the absence of injured RHP Abner Uribe.