News
Twins banking on calm, focused Liriano
Minnesota (56-61) at Texas (66-50), 7:05 p.m. CT
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
08/16/09 7:23 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- One word may best summarize the key for Francisco Liriano when he takes to the mound Monday: tranquilo. The word in Liriano's native Spanish translates to calmness. In Liriano's last start, that calmness translated into a victory. The left-hander had been searching for his first win since late June. He found a victory with a seven-inning, eight-strikeout, one-run outing against Kansas City on Tuesday, arguably his best start of the season. "He said, 'Heck, I haven't had a win in over a month,'" pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "I'm sure that was weighing on his mind a little bit. So I'm sure that gave him a big sigh of relief and confidence and everything." "It was really good. Smile on his face, the whole package," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It just shows him what he can do when he stays within himself. I think that's what his last start did." Anderson said Liriano and teammate Orlando Cabrera used the word "tranquilo" when discussing the pitcher's attitude since his last start. Liriano will need to carry that over against the Rangers to find similar success. "If he stays calm and under control and thinks more about executing his pitches, he'll be fine," Anderson said. "Hopefully, he learned from that and got some confidence from it." Liriano's seven-inning start was much needed for Minnesota's pitching staff. Although he was hit with a loss, Carl Pavano gave the Twins seven innings a day after Liriano's victory. Scott Baker then put together a shutout following Pavano's start. The question now is how Liriano will respond. Twice this year he's followed a win with another victory, and he'll look to do the same against Texas. "He stayed within himself and didn't try to overthrow the ball. There you have it," Gardenhire said. "He went deep into the game, used all his pitches. Now it's whether he can carry it to the next game." Pitching matchupMIN: LHP Francisco Liriano (5-11, 5.39 ERA)
After nearly being demoted to Minnesota's bullpen, Liriano went out and put together his best performance of the season, throwing seven innings while allowing just one run on Tuesday. The lefty struck out eight Royals batters, just one shy of his season high. He went six innings and allowed two earned runs in his only start this year against Texas, but didn't factor into the decision. TEX: RHP Tommy Hunter (5-2, 2.26 ERA)
Hunter is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his past two starts. He beat the Indians, 5-0, on Wednesday with 7 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits and striking out five. He is 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA in six starts at home. Left-handed hitters are batting .259 off him and right-handers are hitting .182. Opponents are 6-for-44 (.136) off him with runners in scoring position, including 1-for-21 when there are two outs. This is his first career start against the Twins. Tidbits
The Twins experienced a bit of a scare in the ninth inning of Sunday's loss. With closer Joe Nathan on the mound, Cleveland's Jhonny Peralta laced a line drive that hit Nathan in the knee. Gardenhire and the team trainer came out to check on Nathan, who stayed in the game after walking it off. "Fortunately, I got it at an angle where it just glanced off," Nathan said. "Probably just more scary than anything." ... Minnesota's Orlando Cabrera was charged with an error in the fourth inning of Sunday's game, his second error in as many days and 18th of the season. That's the most errors the veteran shortstop has committed since 2003 with Montreal.
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• Tuesday: Twins (Carl Pavano, 10-9, 5.16) at Rangers (Scott Feldman, 12-4, 3.90), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Twins (Scott Baker, 10-7, 4.54) at Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 9-7, 3.31), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Twins (Anthony Swarzak, 3-6, 5.87) at Rangers (TBD), 7:05 p.m. CT
Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
