The Brewers’ farm system had a rough night on August 5, with Nashville and Biloxi both getting stung late and Wisconsin’s game turning into a run parade for the other side.
The biggest gut punch came in Nashville, where the Sounds dropped their second straight to Memphis after rallying for three runs in the top of the ninth to tie it. Blake Holub got the call for the bottom half, but Memphis finished the job and walked it off.
Bo Naylor continued to make an early impression in the Brewers organization. The new catcher drove in a run with a ninth-inning single and finished 1-for-4, giving him an RBI hit in both games he’s played with Nashville. He also helped erase Memphis speed, catching Victor Scott II trying to steal third and keeping the Redbirds from swiping a bag in the game.
Colton Gordon made his fourth start since coming over from the Astros organization and turned in a steady six innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits, walked one and struck out four.
Across his four Brewers appearances, Gordon has now given up eight hits in three of them while issuing exactly one walk in each outing. After designating Lance McCullers for assignment, the Brewers are left with only Gordon to show for their roughly $2 million investment in McCullers contract and sending Jadyn Fielder to Houston.
Nashville’s offense was spread out across the lineup, with seven hits from seven different players. Luke Adams supplied the only extra-base hit, a double in the sixth, and he later scored on a single by DH Jeferson Quero.
Biloxi’s night ended in the same painful way. Starter Jaron DeBerry was excellent, working five shutout innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two walks.
The game stayed scoreless through five before Columbus scratched out a run in the sixth. Biloxi answered with three in the seventh, only to see the Clingstones put up three in the ninth and walk it off, 4-3.
Marco Dinges followed up his first Double-A homer from the night before with his first multi-hit game at the level. Leading off and catching, he went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. His double opened the scoring for Biloxi, then Jesus Made doubled and Blake Burke singled to bring home all three Shuckers runs.
Ryan Birchard added a clean eighth inning with two strikeouts for a hold. After missing all but one game in July, Birchard has now logged two straight one-inning appearances in August without allowing a hit, though he did walk two in his previous outing.
Wisconsin got a strong start from J.D. Thompson, who completed five innings, struck out seven and set career highs in both categories. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk, left with the lead, and picked up his first professional win as the Rattlers beat Beloit, 4-2.
Luis Pena, Daniel Dickenson and Luiyin Alastre each had two hits, combining for six of Wisconsin’s eight. Pena tripled, Dickenson doubled, and both players also stole a base.
Jose Meneses followed with two clean innings and a strikeout for his second hold of the season. Jacob Morrison is set to make his first start for Wisconsin on Thursday.
At the lower levels, Brailyn Antunez kept rolling for Wilson. He went 3-for-4 with a double, his fourth home run for the Warbirds, and two stolen bases to bring his total to five. Through his first eight games above rookie ball, he’s posted a 500/600/1000 line.
Brady Ebel went 1-for-5 and stretched his on-base streak to 24 games.
The pitching side for Wilson never found its footing. Warbirds pitchers combined to allow 14 hits, nine walks and 12 runs.
In Other News...
Brewers Have A New Kyle Harrison Concern After Sudden Exit
Kyle Harrisons latest Brewers outing had been as encouraging as Milwaukee could have hoped after his return from an arm injury. Working five sharp innings against the Pirates, he had the lead in hand and had largely controlled the game, giving the Brewers exactly the kind of boost they were looking for as they keep pushing through the season.
The concern, though, arrived suddenly when Harrison left because of cramping in both calves. With his health already a central issue after the arm problem, any midgame exit is going to draw immediate attention in Milwaukee, especially after a performance that had been so dominant before he came out. [Read more 🡒]
Yelich Turned A Tough Brewers Stretch Into A Feel Good Win
Christian Yelich gave the Brewers a much-needed lift against the Pirates, turning in one of those all-around games that can steady a dugout during a rough patch. He drove in a run with a double, added a single and even chipped in a stolen base, a welcome sign for a player who has been working through a recent slump after sliding down to the seventh spot in the lineup.
What stood out just as much was the response around him. Fans stayed with him, teammates kept backing him and manager Pat Murphy made clear how much Yelich still means to the group, while Andrew Vaughn pointed to the leadership and effort he brings every day. For a Milwaukee club trying to find its footing, it was the kind of night that felt good beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]