May 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — When right-handers Jose Berrios and Alex Meyer made consecutive starts for Minnesota this week, their collective inexperience reflected a daunting state of affairs for the Twins’ injury-hit rotation.
Berrios made his second career start Monday and earned his first career victory by outdueling 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. Meyer wasn’t so fortunate in his first major league start, lasing just 2 2/3 innings while absorbing a 6-4 loss to the Astros on Tuesday.
“Given our circumstances with the injuries, it’s opportunities for people to make impressions here, at least in the short term until we get some healthy people back,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said.
Berrios did exactly that, recording eight strikeouts and surviving a wild start to his outing while allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5 1/3 innings. Berrios is a ballyhooed prospect who struggled in his debut against the Indians, but with the Twins missing starters Ervin Santana and Kyle Gibson, his promotion was necessary.
“I felt better,” Berrios said. “When I pitch every start, I feel better and better.”
Meyer wasn’t so fortunate, and following his loss he lugged a 12.27 ERA back to Triple-A Rochester, where he opened the season. Despite his woes, his stuff is unmistakable. Meyer began his start averaging 96.2 mph on his first 10 fastballs. Opportunity will knock again.
“The first two innings felt good, and I felt like I proved to myself that I could pitch up here,” Meyer said. “That was a positive thing for me, it’s something to remember, and I’ll just go from there.”
