Twins

Berrios Battles Stomach Illness, Polanco Leg Cramps and Tightness, in Twins 6-2 Loss to A’s

Photo credit: Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

Jose Berrios was throwing five-plus miles per hour slower than he usually does when Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor, pitching coach Garvin Alston and head athletic trainer Tony Leo went to the mound to check on him in the first inning.

Berrios stayed in the game, but took the loss in a 6-2 Oakland Athletics win over the Twins after giving up eight hits and three earned runs in five innings.

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“It was hard not to notice the 88s that were going up there,” said Molitor, referring to the radar display in Target Field. “After him warming up and knowing he wasn’t 100 percent we wanted to check on him to see if he could continue, which he wanted to do. Just did the best he could to stay hydrated and get himself through five innings.”

Berrios was not available for comment after the game due to illness. It comes at a particularly rough stretch for the first-time All-Star. In his last three outings, Berrios has given up 15 hits and eight earned runs in 12.2 innings pitched.

Opposing batters have hit .306/.433/.531 against him.

“You can’t do anything about it, that’s the unfortunate part,” said Molitor. “His day comes up, and that’s the one day where he’s not feeling his normal self. It happened to be a day game too, which has been a little bit of a stickler for him. We’re not sure what the solution there is, if there’s really something there to address.”

Not only was Berrios not at his best, but Ehire Adrianza replaced Jorge Polanco at shortstop in the sixth inning when Polanco had to leave the game with leg cramps and tightness. It appears to be a short-term injury due to fatigue, and perhaps the 80 percent humidity at gametime.

“He got a little tightness in those legs,” said Molitor. “We saw him stretching before the game, trying to stay loose. He’s a guy who has been playing a lot. After a first half that was a little disjointed (due to the 80-game PED suspension), we just precautionarily took him off the field.

“If the next guy hits a double or something and he tries to extend it, I just thought the risk was too high. We’ll probably back him off with the off-day and maybe Tuesday, but he should be fine.”

It could have been worse. Berrios could have arm or shoulder issues, and Polanco should be in the lineup Wednesday at Cleveland. But it’s an important time for player evaluation, so younger guys like Berrios and Polanco want to play and be at their best.

Tyler Austin, who is hitting .316/.357/.658 since arriving from New York in the Lance Lynn trade, is certainly making a case for himself. He became the fourth player in Twins history to hit a home run into Catch when he took Oakland starter Chris Bassitt deep in the fourth inning, then hit another one in the sixth inning for good measure.

“It’s fun to watch,” said Molitor. “It’s been a nice start for him. We talked about the intrigue there and hopefully he keeps figuring it out with these opportunities as he continues to settle in.”

Austin, who worked with James Rowson in New York, said he’s focused on saying in the strike zone and being more patient at the plate. He would not, however, speculate on whether his strong play will keep him in the majors next year.

I don’t necessarily know how to answer that,” he said, when asked if he’s competing for a spot on the roster. “I’m just looking to compete and have good at-bats every single day, and hopefully good things will happen.”

He’s certainly making the case. And on a day when the Twins lost three of four to the surging A’s and Berrios and Polanco battled illness and injury, his two home runs provided a silver lining for the 61-69 Twins.

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