Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/30): Rochester Fighting, Berrios Promoted

[Seth Stohs]

It all comes down to this, the final two games of the regular season for the Rochester Red Wings. They need to win their next two games against Pawtucket, the league leader. They also need Buffalo to lose one of their final two games against Syracuse. To help that cause, the Twins have promoted top pitching prospect JO Berrios to make the Sunday start for the Red Wings. Elizabethton starts their playoffs on Sunday.

 

But before we get to Sunday, let’s check out what happened in the farm system on Saturday.TRANSACTIONS

• Sam Deduno was claimed on waivers by the Houston Astros.
• On Sunday morning, lefty Aaron Thompson was promoted from Rochester to fill Deduno's roster spot.
• Alex Meyer was placed on the disabled list for Rochester, which is hopefully just procedural so that they can call up JO Berrios from New Britain.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 0, Buffalo 3

Box Score

 

The Season of Scares continued on Saturday when Alex Meyer left the game after the first two batters of the 2^nd innings reached base. It was a precaution, and later it was said that he just couldn’t get loose. Hopefully it was only a precaution and not something more serious. Meyer gave up three runs, two earned, on two hits and a walk in one inning. Mark Hamburger came on and threw seven shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked one and struck out six. Deolis Guerra pitched a scoreless ninth.

 

The Red Wings were unable to muster much offense. They had just five hits. Eric Farris had two singles, and Chris Colabello added his 13^th double.

 

On Sunday night, the Red Wings will play a must-win game against Pawtucket. JO Berrios will make his AAA debut opposite lefty Henry Owens of the PawSox.

 

ROCK CATS REVIEW

New Britain 3, New Hampshire 1

Box Score

 

It’s almost hard to remember how much Taylor Rogers struggled through his first four starts of the season with the Rock Cats. However, he has ended the season strong and earned the opportunity to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. On this night, the lefty gave up just one run on three hits over eight innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine. Dan Turpen got the final three outs, two on strikeouts, for his third save. Rogers improved to 11-6 with a 3.29 ERA.

 

The Rock Cats didn’t get much offense. They had just seven hits. However, five of them came from the two and three hitters. Eddie Rosario went 2-4 with his 20^th double and his seventh home run. Nate Hanson hit three doubles and has 26 on the season.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Game 1 - Ft. Myers 5, Jupiter 0

Box Score

 

Ethan Mildren evened his Miracle record at 3-3 with his strongest start in the Florida State League. The right-hander threw all seven innings and gave up just three hits. He walked none and struck out two.

 

The Miracle managed five runs despite just four hits. They also accumulated five walks. Max Kepler had the key hit with a two-run double, his 18^th of the year. Niko Goodrum added his 19^th double.

 

Game 2 - Ft. Myers 7, Jupiter 3

Box Score

 

This game went to the seventh inning tied at three, but the Miracle scored four runs in the top of the 7^th to take the lead. Bryan Haar went 3-4 with his third double. Dalton Hicks went 2-3. Jairo Rodriguez and Jason Kanzler were both 2-4. Kanzler stole his 11^th base in his short time with the Miracle. Travis Harrison doubled for the 33^rd time.

 

Many pitchers had the opportunity to throw in this game. Brett Lee started and threw a perfect inning. Then Brandon Peterson came on and struck out four over two scoreless innings. BJ Hermsen gave up two runs on four hits in the fourth . DJ Johnson gave up a run in his inning. Nick Burdi struck out two in his scoreless inning. Zach Jones finished with a scoreless ninth.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Clinton 7

Box Score

 

Stephen Gonsalves had his first rough start in his time with the Kernels. He gave up six runs on six hits, five walks and a hit batter in just 3.2 innings. Josue Montanez gave up one run on one hit over the next 2.1 innings. He struck out four. Brian Gilbert then struck out two in a perfect inning.

 

For the first time since he returned to the Kernels, Jonatan Hinojosa did not get a hit on Friday night. So, on Saturday, he went out and went 3-4. Mitch Garver is ending his spectacular season strong. He also went 3-4 in this game.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

 

The E-Twins regular season came to an end on Friday. On Sunday afternoon, the Elizabethton Twins will play Johnson City in the first round of the Appalachian League playoffs.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

 

The GCL Twins season is complete.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Taylor Rogers, New Britain Rock Cats

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Nate Hanson, New Britain Rock Cats

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Pawtucket (5:05 CST) – JO Berrios

New Hampshire @ New Britain (12:35 CST) – TBD

Ft. Myers @ Jupiter (9:35 a.m. CST) – Steven Gruver

Cedar Rapids @ Clinton (2:00 CST) – Lewis Thorpe

Elizabethton @ Johnson City (3:00 CST) – John Curtiss

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Saturday games.

 

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