Command betrays Berrios in uneven intro

MINNEAPOLIS — Jose Berrios showed flashes of why he’s considered one of the top pitching prospects for the Twins in recent years, but his Major League debut ultimately didn’t go as planned.

Berrios, ranked as the Twins’ No. 1 prospect and No. 16 overall, hit as high as 97 mph on the radar gun and showed off his impressive changeup and curveball, recording five strikeouts, but he lasted only four-plus innings in a 6-5 loss to the Indians. The 21-year-old right-hander gave up five runs on six hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch.

“Jose was obviously a little amped up, and we didn’t see him at his best,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “He competed fairly well, but his command wasn’t particularly sharp. The leadoff man getting on in four of the five innings kinda bit him a little bit.”

Berrios made his debut in tough conditions, as the game was delayed 35 minutes due to rain with a game-time temperature of 44 degrees. But he said he tried his best not to let that affect him. It was more of an issue controlling his pitches than his emotions.

“When I got on the mound and threw the first pitch, I was excited, but after that, …

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