RHP Jason Alexander took the hill on Thursday, facing a strong Gwinnett squad intent on defending home turf and regaining the series lead. Alexander made his second start of the season, coming off a 2 hit, 0 run outing against Durham.
Alexander the Great
RHP Jason Alexander had the comfortability of a 4 run lead before he even stepped onto the mound in Thursday’s tilt, a near repeat of his first start when Nashville scored 3 runs in the 1st inning. Temperatures in the low 60s down to the high 50s would feel like Summer compared to Alexander’s first start when temperatures were in the low 40s. Perfect baseball weather.
Once again, for the second straight game, Jason Alexander would go 5 innings. Two runs were allowed in the first before he would settle in. The groundball was working well, yielding 3 scoreless innings to follow, before allowing a run in the 5th. Alexander exited the game after 5 IP, allowing 8 H, 3 ER, 1HR, with 3 K, bringing his ERA to 2.70.
Brewers Top 30 Prospects
Brice Turang
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50
Brice Turang raised his OBP by 16 points in this one with a single and a base on balls in 4 at-bats. He was a key part of the first inning onslaught that resulted in 4 runs scored. This is his role. Get on base, be smart on the paths, score runs. Anyone worried about Turang’s slugging should look at this game as a starting point.
Brice Turang Last 8 Games
| DATE | TEAM | OPP | AB | R | H | TB | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | IBB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | HBP | SAC | SF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .750 | 1.500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 6 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .143 | .333 | .429 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 8 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .100 | .308 | .300 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .214 | .353 | .429 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 10 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .222 | .333 | .444 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 12 | NAS(AAA) | GWN | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .261 | .346 | .435 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13 | NAS(AAA) | GWN | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .214 | .290 | .357 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 14 | NAS(AAA) | GWN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .219 | .306 | .344 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 32 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | .219 | .306 | .344 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy
The Gwinnett Stripers took the field first, being the host to the Nashville Sounds. It didn’t take long for the Sounds to make some noise. Stripers RHP Jasseel de la Cruz hit leadoff hitter Pablo Reyes and gave up a single to Turang, putting a runner in scoring position for former MLB all-star David Dahl.
Go Weston, Young Man
Two of the Sounds’ five runs were driven in by 2B Weston Wilson, who manned the position in place of the recently departed Jamie Westbrook. The first of those RBI came on this near HR to bring in Brice Turang, who singled earlier.
With another run scored, unearned, and the Sounds up 3-0, Corey Ray delivered on a liner to CF, bringing in Weston Wilson to make it 4-0.
The Sounds were kept in check for the next three innings, as were the Stripers, thanks to no-hit efforts from RHPs Conner Sadzeck, J.C. Mejia, and Thomas Jankins.
Run It Back
2B Weston Wilson added an insurance run in the 5th inning, one that would prove to be pivotal in the later innings, once again driving in Brice Turang. Turang drew a walk in his previous AB and took second base on a passed ball, putting him in scoring position. This would ultimately be the winning run.
Pistol Pete
With the game at 5-3, Sounds manager would call on Peter Strzelecki. Entering the game, Strzelecki had 3 appearances, without surrendering any runs in any game. That would be until catching prospect Ryan Casteel took Strzelecki deep to pull Gwinnett within one run. It would be for naught as Pistol Pete shut down the side, accumulating two K’s and his first save of the season. The Sounds do not seem to be relying on a single closing pitcher, but instead going with the hot hand.
Final score in Gwinnett – Nashville Sounds 5, Gwinnett Stripers 4
Affiliates
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated Adam Wainwright and the division rival St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 5-1. They would score in each of the first 3 innings, as well as the 5th to move to 4-3. They sit in 3rd place in the NL Central.
The Biloxi Shuckers routed the Mississippi Braves, 8-1. Home Runs from RF Joey Wiemer, C Brent Diaz, and Felix Valerio would contribute to the victory.
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won both games of a doubleheader versus the Beloit Sky Carp by scores of 1-0 and 7-4, moving to 4-1 on the season.
The Carolina Mudcast would take the only Brewers farm loss, as they fell to the Fredricksburg Nationals 7-6.
About the Author
Billy Graves is the host of the Hit City Podcast, covering the Milwaukee Brewers and MiLB affiliates. You can also find him on the Slashers & Screamers podcast, reviewing your favorite horror films from years past and present, and on the Monday morning show Wake Up! with Wowie & The Kid. Find out more at SlasherSports.com!
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