Liriano manages no-hitter despite struggles
by Tyler Mason
Of any pitcher in the Minnesota Twins' starting rotation, Francisco Liriano might have been the least likely to throw a no-hitter at this point in the season.
Liriano entered Tuesday's start against the Chicago White Sox with a 1-4 record and a 9.13 ERA in 2011. In two of his last three starts, Liriano allowed seven runs, going five innings or fewer in each start.
In his most recent outing, Liriano lasted just three innings against Tampa Bay, his shortest start of the season.
In fact, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire alluded last week to the fact that Liriano's spot in the rotation might be in jeopardy. Reliever Kevin Slowey, on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain, was being stretched out in a minor league rehab assignment to possibly be inserted into Minnesota's rotation as a starter.
Prior to Tuesday's start, Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson showed Liriano film of his release point from the early part of the season and worked with him to fix it.
It must have worked. As Adam Dunn lined out to shortstop Matt Tolbert for the final out of the ninth inning Tuesday, Minnesota had a 1-0 win and Liriano had his no-hitter — proving that he still has the stuff to be a force in the Twins' rotation.
"I feel so nervous and so happy right now," Liriano said shortly after his no-hitter. "I can't explain my feelings right now."
"He's been through a rough time here over the last weeks, as we all have," right fielder Michael Cuddyer said. "I'm sure it feels like 100 pounds is off his shoulders."
It wasn't the cleanest of no-hitters — Liriano walked six batters, struck out just a pair and threw 123 pitches (only 66 for strikes). Oddly enough, the Twins were facing Chicago's Edwin Jackson on Tuesday. Last year, Jackson threw a no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks despite walking eight batters and throwing 149 pitches.
According to Elias stats, Liriano's ERA of 9.13 was the second-highest for a pitcher who threw a no-hitter with a minimum of three games pitched.
It was Minnesota's first no-hitter since Eric Milton held the Angels without a hit in 1999. It also marked the sixth no-hitter in Twins history. For Liriano, it was the first time he went nine innings in his career.
Not a bad way to pick up his first complete game.
Liriano was helped out several times by the Minnesota defense. One of the biggest plays came in the bottom of the seventh, as third baseman Danny Valencia made a great stop and throw from behind the base on a grounder by Carlos Quentin to end the inning and preserve the no-hitter. Center fielder Denard Span also made a big play, running down to catch a fly ball and save a hit.
In the eighth, Valencia, second baseman Alexi Casilla and first baseman Justin Morneau turned an inning-ending double play on Gordon Beckham's grounder. The Twins turned three double plays behind Liriano's stellar effort.
Liriano has shown flashes of brilliance in his career. As a rookie in 2006, Liriano went 12-3 in 16 starts, posting a 2.16 ERA. But he missed all of 2007 after having Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and has never quite returned to his 2006 form.
The 2010 season was Liriano's best since his rookie year, as he was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA. That success a season ago had not carried over into 2011.
Until Tuesday, that is. Now, the question will be whether his no-hitter can propel Liriano back into his old form and help him regain his confidence.
"He had great stuff," said Drew Butera, who caught Liriano's no-hitter. "He got stronger as the game went on."
"I talked to (Anderson) a few days ago; he told me just pitch how you know how to pitch," Liriano said. "I went out there just one pitch at a time, one hitter at a time."
by Tyler Mason
Of any pitcher in the Minnesota Twins' starting rotation, Francisco Liriano might have been the least likely to throw a no-hitter at this point in the season.
Liriano entered Tuesday's start against the Chicago White Sox with a 1-4 record and a 9.13 ERA in 2011. In two of his last three starts, Liriano allowed seven runs, going five innings or fewer in each start.
In his most recent outing, Liriano lasted just three innings against Tampa Bay, his shortest start of the season.
In fact, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire alluded last week to the fact that Liriano's spot in the rotation might be in jeopardy. Reliever Kevin Slowey, on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain, was being stretched out in a minor league rehab assignment to possibly be inserted into Minnesota's rotation as a starter.
Prior to Tuesday's start, Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson showed Liriano film of his release point from the early part of the season and worked with him to fix it.
It must have worked. As Adam Dunn lined out to shortstop Matt Tolbert for the final out of the ninth inning Tuesday, Minnesota had a 1-0 win and Liriano had his no-hitter — proving that he still has the stuff to be a force in the Twins' rotation.
"I feel so nervous and so happy right now," Liriano said shortly after his no-hitter. "I can't explain my feelings right now."
"He's been through a rough time here over the last weeks, as we all have," right fielder Michael Cuddyer said. "I'm sure it feels like 100 pounds is off his shoulders."
It wasn't the cleanest of no-hitters — Liriano walked six batters, struck out just a pair and threw 123 pitches (only 66 for strikes). Oddly enough, the Twins were facing Chicago's Edwin Jackson on Tuesday. Last year, Jackson threw a no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks despite walking eight batters and throwing 149 pitches.
According to Elias stats, Liriano's ERA of 9.13 was the second-highest for a pitcher who threw a no-hitter with a minimum of three games pitched.
It was Minnesota's first no-hitter since Eric Milton held the Angels without a hit in 1999. It also marked the sixth no-hitter in Twins history. For Liriano, it was the first time he went nine innings in his career.
Not a bad way to pick up his first complete game.
Liriano was helped out several times by the Minnesota defense. One of the biggest plays came in the bottom of the seventh, as third baseman Danny Valencia made a great stop and throw from behind the base on a grounder by Carlos Quentin to end the inning and preserve the no-hitter. Center fielder Denard Span also made a big play, running down to catch a fly ball and save a hit.
In the eighth, Valencia, second baseman Alexi Casilla and first baseman Justin Morneau turned an inning-ending double play on Gordon Beckham's grounder. The Twins turned three double plays behind Liriano's stellar effort.
Liriano has shown flashes of brilliance in his career. As a rookie in 2006, Liriano went 12-3 in 16 starts, posting a 2.16 ERA. But he missed all of 2007 after having Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and has never quite returned to his 2006 form.
The 2010 season was Liriano's best since his rookie year, as he was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA. That success a season ago had not carried over into 2011.
Until Tuesday, that is. Now, the question will be whether his no-hitter can propel Liriano back into his old form and help him regain his confidence.
"He had great stuff," said Drew Butera, who caught Liriano's no-hitter. "He got stronger as the game went on."
"I talked to (Anderson) a few days ago; he told me just pitch how you know how to pitch," Liriano said. "I went out there just one pitch at a time, one hitter at a time."
