Twins Minor League Report: Berrios Debuts

It's April 22 and we're experiencing another snowstorm. The Twins were postponed and will play a split-doubleheader tomorrow (hopefully; I wouldn't bet on it). And despite having a day-off Wednesday, there won't be a game because the Marlins have 20 straight days with games beginning Thursday, so they can't play Wednesday.

Only three affiliates were in action today, let's see how they did:

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Cedar Rapids Kernels 8, Burlington Bees 4

Box Score

Jose Berrios made his highly-anticipated full-season debut tonight. Berrios joined the team after spending some time stretching out in Fort Myers after being used sparingly by the Puerto Rican National Team in the World Baseball Classic (where he struck out Robinson Cano). Had Berrios been on the Opening Day roster, he would have been the 9^th-youngest player (and 4^th-youngest pitcher) in the Midwest League.

He had a solid performance, but appeared to have some nerves early. He gave up runs in each of his first two innings and misplayed a bunt (that was generously ruled a hit) before settling down. He had a final line of five innings, seven hits, two walks, five strikeouts and the aforementioned runs. Reports from the field had him sitting in the low-90s, but touching as high as 96.

JD Williams led the offense with two doubles and a home run. He also drew a walk, scored twice and drove in three runs. Oh, and he stole a base too. He calls himself part of the "Soul Patrol" with Byron Buxton and Niko Goodrum, but he might be rejoining Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario if he keeps it up.

Adam Walker had a triple and showed off his big-time power with a long home run.

Byron Buxton went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. When he was 0-for-3 tonight, his average dropped to .392. The single got it back up to .404.

Manuel Soliman walked three in two scoreless innings. Chris Mazza had to be relieved after giving up two runs and leaving the bases loaded in the 9th. Tim Atherton relieved him and closed the game with three strikeouts with the bases loaded.

LP Brett Lee (0-0, 0.00), who has been quite impressive in his eight innings of limited work, takes the mound tomorrow at 11:30 am. (The forecast isn't good, so make sure you check the weather before you drive from the Cities.)

Congrats to Taylor Rogers on his promotion to Fort Myers.

Rochester Red Wings 2, Pawtucket Red Sox 8

Box Score

Liam Hendriks again failed to channel his AAA dominance of a year ago, instead showing glimpses of his major league-self. In particular, it took Hendriks 97 pitches (63 strikes) to pitch 5.2 innings. His line was not bad though: eight hits, a walk, two runs and five strikeouts. While his demotion was somewhat puzzling at the time, he has been able to make two starts for Rochester. Meanwhile Pedro Hernandez (and basically the entire staff) hasn’t pitched at all due to the ridiculous weather we’ve been having in the Upper Midwest.

The first wave of the bullpen did a great job keeping the Red Wings in the game. Mike O’Connor and Tim Wood combined for 2.1 scoreless innings. And then Manager Glynn turned a tied ball game over to Anthony Slama.

For all of you who supported the #FreeSlama campaign, you may get your wish soon. Tonight’s one-out effort included three hits, two walks and five runs. He’s now dropped to 0-4 with an ERA of 18.47. It was reported, postgame, that Slama was suffering from a stiff back.

Daniel Turpen got the final two outs and allowed another run, but the damage was already done.

The Red Wings offense managed only seven hits. A double by Chris Herrmann and two singles by Evan Bigley were the offensive highlights. Bigley (who just joined Rochester) is batting .400. Chris Colabello (.333) and Clete Thomas (.326) are the only regulars batting over .200. Scary, and sad.

While there is no scheduled starter listed at this time, it would appear to be Virgil Vasquez’s turn in the rotation. Vasquez (2-1, 4.80) has pitched pretty well in his three starts to date.

Fort Myers Miracle 4, Palm Beach Cardinals 7

Box Score

A day after losing to Palm Beach in extra innings, the Miracle drop their third straight. Tonight’s loss was the result of a blown save in the 7^th inning.

Starting pitcher Matt Summers allowed ten hits in four innings. Those hits, and a walk, resulted in three runs. He struck out three. Cole Johnson pitched two scoreless innings.

Chad Rogers, who came out to open the seventh innings, only recorded two outs, but allowed four runs (one earned).

Adrian Salcedo struck out three among his four outs.

Miguel Sano kept it simple today. He singled twice and stole a base (his first of the year). Kyle Knudson added two hits. Kennys Vargas had a double. Eddie Rosario added a triple.

AJ Pettersen, now batting .352 and playing SS almost every day, has extended his hitting streak to seven games.

Tomorrow’s scheduled starter, Madison Boer, was placed on the 7-day DL with a broken hand. RP Ryan O’Rourke was also placed on the 7-day DL. The Miracle will play at 6:35 pm ET with newly-promoted Taylor Rogers getting the start.

New Britain Rock Cats had an off-day today.

Trevor May (0-1, 3.14) will be back on the mound tomorrow at New Hampshire at 6:35 pm ET. May, who is rivaling teammate Alex Meyer to be the organizational strikeout king, will look to limit his free passes. He has already issued 10 walks in 14.1 innings. He’s also allowed three home runs in three starts.

RP Marty Popham was released to make room for SP B.J. Hermsen prior to yesterday’s game.

If you have any questions or comments, please post below. You can also find me on Twitter @jeremynygaard.