Joseph Zarr

Eric Bitonti has played a mere 7 Double-A games since his call up and first action September 8th. He has 29 PA's. He has walked once. He has struck out 15 times. 4 more K's tonight. Game 1 to the Shuckers, 6-3. Smith with the key relief of the second inning shaky Torres and then Birchard shut the door with a 2 K Save. Adamczewski added the insurance run knocking across Fischer (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 K). Keith and Wood tallied two knocks apiece as well.

The Shuckers have struck out 14 times through 8 frames with 3 apiece for Payne and Bitonti. Woof.

Atta way, Travis! Got a head 0-2. Nibbled. Induced the ground out to 3rd base. You love to see it.

Yup. That's the third mound visit this frame. Let's see who the Shuckers plan to come aboard to try to put out this fire. RHP Travis Smith it is. Smith has been much improved of late. They'll need that version here.

AND, he walked the next batter. I have to think that is it for Torres. Men on first and second. Two down. Shuckers clinging to a 5-3 lead.

5-3 Shuckers lead. Wande Torres just gave up a two out two-run single up the middle. After allowing the first two batters aboard in the 7th inning (his second inning of work) via singles, he got the next two batters down via pop out and ground out. The runners advanced. 2-2 count. Too much of the plate. Good experience for the young man, indeed, but the Double-A level continues to offer instruction on where he needs to improve in the off-season. Second mound visit and he stays in the game. We all know the Shuckers bullpen is their Achilles heel. Let's hope he can shut it down and prevent further damage.

Wood plates two more as the Shuckers jump to a 5-1 lead! Big poke!

I was today's years old when I realized former Shucker LHP Adam Seminaris leads all of Minor League baseball in strikeouts heading into this final week of the regular season (Triple-A, speaking). I find this absolutely remarkable if also hard to believe.😅

I did not see this thread somehow. LOL. In case anyone else doesn't, I've spread this announcement news in two additional Transaction threads and today's Game Thread. 😅

To close this AFL Loop, official roster announcements for the AFL are out. Here's a complete look at the Brewers rostered on Scottsdale:

AFL participants officially announced. Meneses, Quezada, Birchard, and Mercedes. Wood, Bitonti, and Payne.

I understand what you are saying. He closed August and began September on a tear and was being talked about within the Cardinals org and around MiLB. He tweaked something vs Corpus Christie (6-for-15 in the series) and he is playing through it. Hasn't been the same since. I don't quite invest much in the overall numbers here as I trust the individuals I speak with monthly within MiLB. But, yes, if you pull WRC and comparable across orgs and Leagues you can paint that picture for sure.

I've heard some chirps that LHP Jose Meneses is also heading to the AFL - which would mean, I believe, he will not be playing for Leones del Caracas. Yet to be confirmed but it seems like it is highly likely at this point.

Well, there were two more aggressive canned plays given. J-Love audibled into the Sneak. Per LaFleur. Per Love. Just failed execution across the board...a Matt LaFleur led specialty.