Twins Minor League Report (5/5): Berrios Baffles Bats

All the Minnesota Twins’ affiliates played afternoon games on Sunday, as did the big league club. As we mentioned yesterday the Twins had some interesting pitchers taking the mound today and they had mixed results. Sam Deduno and Cole De Vries both made their first rehab starts of the year. Top Twins Prospects JO Berrios and Alex Meyer also made starts. There were several very good offensive and pitching performances. There were also a few errors that proved costly.

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]The Ft. Myers Miracle placed Minnesota native Kyle Knudson on the Disabled List. They promoted 2012 draft picks, catcher Bryan Santy and outfielder Jon Murphy, from Extended Spring Training. On Saturday night, after getting just one out, righty Tyler Jones left the game with an elbow injury. He was put on the disabled list on Sunday morning. Another 2012 draft pick, 12^th rounder Alex Muren, will be promoted to take his spot on the roster.

The Twins got a terrific start from Mike Pelfrey on Sunday and great bullpen work by Josh Roenicke and Jared Burton to avoid a sweep in Cleveland this weekend.

Rochester Red Wings 2, Columbus Clippers 3

Box Score

Sam Deduno made his first start of the season for the Red Wings on Sunday. He was activated before the game and started well. However, as the game went along, he fought his control. Overall, his line looked Deduno-like: in five innings, he gave up only an unearned run. He gave up five hits, walked four and struck out four. Virgil Vasquez came on and gave up two runs (1 earned) on three hits in 1.1 innings. Tyler Robertson came on and gave up a hit and a walk, but got the final two outs in the seventh. Daniel Turpen came on for the eighth frame and got two outs. He then gave up two hits and walked one to load the bases. Michael O’Connor came on and got the final out of the inning.

Jeff Clement has finally started to hit. After two home runs on Saturday, he went 2-3 with a walk and two runs driven in on Sunday. Chris Colabello went 1-3 with a walk and his eighth double.

To make room for Deduno outfielder Brandon Boggs was released.

New Britain Rock Cats 6, Portland Sea Dogs 5

Box Score

The Rock Cats were able to avoid being swept in the series in Maine with a one-run win on Sunday afternoon. Alex Meyer started for the Rock Cats. Through four innings he did not allow a run. However, he was unable to get through the fifth. He gave up the first run and had the bases loaded. He induced an infield pop fly and a strikeout to get to two outs. The next batter lined a single to right and when it was bobbled all three runners scored. The next batter doubled in the fifth run and ended Meyer’s day. In total, Meyer went 4.2 innings. He gave up five runs (4 earned) on five hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

Bobby Lanigan was able to get out of the fifth inning and worked a scoreless sixth inning. Blake Martin went the next two innings. He gave up two hits, no runs and had three strikeouts. He got the win to improve to 2-1. Aaron Thompson came on and recorded the save with a perfect ninth.

It was a big day for Antoan Richardson. He was 1-2, was twice hit by a pitch, stole his 13^th base and it was his two-run double in the eighth inning that gave the Rock Cats a 6-5 lead. Reynaldo Rodriguez went 2-5 with his ninth double and third home run. Mark Sobolewski was 2-4 with his second double. Josmil Pinto went 2-4 with a walk. AJ Pettersen hit a double high off the left field wall in the 1^st inning for his first Eastern League hit.

Ft. Myers Miracle 2, Tampa Yankees 8

Box Score

The Miracle were due for a game like this. They have played very well for nearly 30 games, so they were due a clunker. This one was actually a very good game through six innings, but at that point the defense gave the Yankees too many outs. In all, the Miracle had five errors in the game. Miguel Sano had two, Levi Michael had one and Eddie Rosario committed his first two errors of the season.

Cole De Vries made the start for the Miracle, his first rehab appearance. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on six hits in four innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. He was replaced by Taylor Rogers. The lefty was charged with three unearned runs. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out three. Dakota Watts came in to start the eighth inning and got just two outs. He yielded three runs (2 earned) on one hit and three walks. Cole Johnson came on and got the final four outs, two via strikeout.

Sano and Rosario each had a rough day in the field, yet they still hit. Sano was 2-3 with a walk and his ninth double. Rosario went 2-4 with his third double.

Cedar Rapids Kernels 8, South Bend Silver Hawks 4

Box Score

J.O. Berrios was back on the mound for the Kernels on Sunday and he was terrific again. The young right-hander was tremendous, dominating through five innings. He gave up two runs in the sixth inning. Overall, he gave up two runs on six hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out eight. He now has two walks and 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings on the year. Steve Gruver came on and worked the final three innings for his second save. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on four hits and a walk and struck out seven.

Travis Harrison was 2-5 with a big two-run homer, his fourth of the season, and an RBI single. Adam Walker was 2-5. Niko Goodrum went 1-3 with two walks and his sixth double. Byron Buxton had a single and a sacrifice fly.

A LOOK AHEAD to Monday

April’s Starting Pitcher of the Month and three left-handers will be starting for the Twins' minor league affiliates on Monday. Andrew Albers will start for Rochester in Toledo. Logan Darnell will get the nod against New Hampshire. DJ Baxendale will face Tampa and Matt Tomshaw will be starting in South Bend.

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