DoTF: Thunder sweep ELDS in Severino, Betances rehab game

News & Notes

• Luis Severino told reporters that he believes he can be stretched out to 100 pitches by the end of the month. After throwing 55 tonight, he’s well on his way and it could take just three more starts. His next one could be in the Bronx or with Trenton/Scranton in the next round. I, for one, am extremely encouraged.
• Dellin Betances will likely get two more relief appearances before joining the Yankees after he started his rehab tonight.
• Giancarlo Stanton played in a simulated game Friday and is scheduled for another Saturday as he nears his return.
• Jordan Montgomery could start for the Thunder in the Eastern League Championship Series, The Trentonian reports.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders ILDS Game 2: (4-2 loss at Durham) … Both runs were scored in the ninth inning … Durham leads the best-of-5 series, 2-0. Game 3 will be in Scranton on Saturday … Durham will start a rehabbing Blake Snell.

• Starter: RHP Michael King: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 6/2 GB/FB — 63 of 103 (61%) pitches were strikes … He allowed two 2-run homers in the second inning and that was it for Durham’s runs.
• In Relief: LHP Rex Brothers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP
• In Relief: RHP Brady Lail: 1 IP, zeros
• In Relief: LHP Danny Coulombe: 1 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 K
• Hitting Star: C Kyle Higashioka: 2-for-4, solo homer — Has four homers and four two-hit games in his last six.
• On Deck: RF Zack Zehner: 2-for-4, RBI
• On Deck: 1B Erik Kratz: 0-for-3, BB, RF
• Notables: 3B Mandy Alvarez, CF Billy Burns and SS Breyvic Valera each went 1-for-4 … Alvarez doubled … LF Gosuke Katoh drew a walk while PH Francisco Arcia got a hit in the ninth inning.

Double-A Trenton Thunder ELDS Game 2: (12-2 win over Reading) … Everyone in the lineup got a hit except Kyle Holder … The Thunder sweep the series and will play either Bowie or Harrisburg starting Tuesday.

• Rehab Start: RHP Luis Severino: 3+ IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1/2 GB/FB — 37 of 50 (74%) pitches were strikes … Threw 5 more pitches in the bullpen afterwards … Had velocity up to 97 and induced 10 swinging strikes, throwing 19 pitches at 95+ mph … Here’s one of his strikeouts … and here’s another.
• In Relief: RHP Matt Wivinis: 1 IP, zeros, 1 K
• Rehab: RHP Dellin Betances: 1 IP, zeros, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, Balk — Topped out at 94 mph and got a swinging K on a breaking ball … Aaron Boone said they want two more rehab games before he’s activated.
• In Relief: RHP Albert Abreu: 2 IP, zeros, 4 K
• In Relief: RHP Brooks Kriske: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP
• In Relief: RHP Daniel Alvarez: 1 IP, zeros, 1 BB, 2 K
• Hitting Star: 2B Thairo Estrada: 3-for-3, 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB — Set Trenton franchise postseason record with 5 RBI … played 5 innings in first rehab appearance
• On Deck: RF Alexander Palma: 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R, K
• On Deck: 3B Max Burt: 2-for-4, RBI, 3 R, K
• On Deck: LF Ben Ruta: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
• Notables: CF Rashad Crawford went 1-for-5 with a 2B, 2 R and a K … 2B Diego Castillo pinch ran for Estrada and doubled … 1B Chris Gittens went 1-for-4 with an RBI and BB … DH Isiah Gilliam went 2-for-5 with a R and 3 K.