Francisco Liriano returns to a big league mound today for the first time since April 24, when he lasted just 2/3 of an inning at Oakland, giving up six runs on five hits and three walks.

The best of his three April starts with the Twins actually came six days earlier at the Metrodome, against Cleveland. He held the Indians to three runs in five innings, despite allowing five walks and four hits.

Still, it was another loss, as Liriano went 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA before getting sent to Class AAA Rochester for more than three months.

After posting a 7-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio with the Twins, Liriano righted himself in Rochester, gaining better command of his fastball, and sharpening his slider. One of the most telling stats is Liriano’s 51-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last six starts with the Red Wings.

Today, he’ll face a Cleveland lineup with a lot of soft spots with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner injured and Casey Blake traded to the Dodgers.

The Twins are giving Joe Mauer and Delmon Young a rest, and Justin Morneau is getting a day as the DH, with Mike Lamb playing first base. Cleveland righthander Matt Ginter has nine strikeouts and one walk in three big league starts this year.

Updates to come…

Indians (48-61)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF

2. Jamey Carroll, 3B

3. Ben Francisco, RF

4. Jhonny Peralta, SS

5. Kelly Shoppach, C

6. Ryan Garko, DH

7. Franklin Gutierrez, LF

8. Andy Gonzalez, 1B

9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Twins (61-49)

1. Denard Span, RF

2. Nick Punto, 2B

3. Mike Redmond, C

4. Justin Morneau, DH

5. Jason Kubel, LF

6. Mike Lamb, 1B

7. Brian Buscher, 3B

8. Brendan Harris, SS

9. Carlos Gomez, CF

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano

Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.