Liriano Throws A No-Hitter

A day after I threw Liriano under the bus saying that he might lose his rotation spot to Kevin Slowey he promptly goes out and throws a no-hitter against the White Sox. In one for the oddest no-hitter you will ever see Liriano walked 6 guys, only threw 2 strikeouts, and threw 125 pitches to get through 9 innings.

I really don't know what to think. We all know Liriano had the talent, and although what he accomplished last night was impressive I really don't think that his season is suddenly going to turnaround. Maybe I'm wrong, like I said I thought he was going to be making a trip to the DL just 24 hours ago, but you have to look beyond just this game. Even with the no-hitter Liriano still has an ERA of 6.61 ERA (it was 9.13 coming in), and even in this game he had the same kind of struggles that have plagued him all season walks (24 BB in 32.2 inning only 20 Ks).

This game just highlighted how bad the White Sox have been. This is a team I thought could challenge for a World Series, now they are sitting at 11-20 (last place in the AL Central) and 10 1/2 games behind the Indians. I really don't understand why they aren't hitting with a lineup of Dunn, Konerko (who's doing his job), Rios, and Quentin.

Well congrats to Liriano, no matter what they can never take a no-hitter away from you, and I actually hope this does turnaround his season, but I doubt it.

Liriano Out Of Twins Rotation?

Liriano has looked terrible this season (1-4 with a 9.13 ERA) it has gotten so bad that the Twins are starting to think about mulling him out of the rotation. This is pretty shocking for a guy who was so good last year (14-10 3.62 ERA 201 Ks in 191.2 IP), but it seems his arm is hanging by a thread, and it might be the best option to sit him down for a while and figure out what the hell is wrong with him.

Kevin Slowey is making his way back, and it is getting pretty obvious that he is going to take Liriano's rotation spot, unless some dramatic turnaround happens soon. Either way this is all terrible news for the last place Twins, who are currently riding a 6 game losing streak.

Yankees Aggressively Going After Francisco Liriano

Liriano, 27, was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA with 205 Ks and if you were the Yankees this is a must for them. They are currently going into the season with CC Sabathia, un proven Phil Hughes, erratic AJ Burnett, Ivan Nova or Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia or Serge Mitre. Gross. Liriano would automatically make them 5 or 6 wins better.

They said they would be unwilling to give up top prospect Jesus Montero or Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances but would be willing to give up Ivan Nova and Joba Chamberlain. I don't understand why the Twins would be interested in it figuring they have him for this year and next year and certainly the offer doesn't blow you away, but the Twins like playing moneyball sometimes. They say they are uninterested, but sometimes when there is smoke there is fire.

Liriano, Hudson Win Comeback Player Awards

Tim Hudson won the NL honor Tuesday after leading the Atlanta Braves to the wild card and Francisco Liriano grabbed the AL award with a consistent season that helped the Minnesota Twins win the Central division.

I actually like both of these guys and am happy they both won. Both Hudson and Liriano have had terrible injuries and have bounced back to not only have great years, but have led their teams to the playoffs. Hudson led the Braves in everything including wins, strike outs and innings, and the Liriano led the team in starts, Ks and ERA.

Liriano Heading To DL

"Twins SP Francisco Liriano, who allowed only one run in seven innings against the Royals in his last start, went right back to struggling Monday at Texas. He allowed seven runs on seven hits in two innings, issuing two walks and recording two strikeouts. He took the loss, dropping his record to 5-12 overall and 1-4 over his last six starts. After the game, manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano will go on the disabled list Tuesday with a tired arm. "It will be a break both mentally and physically," Gardenhire said. "He's part of our present, but he's part of our future, too. We don't want to do anything to hurt him (Sportsline)."

Liriano has just never been the same guy that dominated the league before Tommy John surgery. It is really too bad, because he really looked like he could have been the next Pedro Martinez. He shows flashes here and there, but nothing consistent. I don't know if he is done, but I don't think we will ever see him be a top 10 pitcher in the AL again...

Red Sox 6 Twins 5

This game really symbolized a lot of the Red Sox season. Big name players were letting down the Sox, their starting pitcher was puking between innings, and yet somehow they were able to get the win.

The Sox started out how lighting Liriano up for 5 runs thought he first 4 innings. The thing is they should have had a lot more, since they collected 11 hits during those innings. Penny had another solid start giving up 3 runs over 5 1/3 inning, but it was made impressive since in between innings he was throwing up in the dugout.

This game looked to be in the bag when Bailey hit a solo HR in the 8th to put the Sox up by 3 runs, but the Twins made it interesting in the 9th when Papelbon let up a 2 run HR to Joe Mauer. Papelbon has been struggling over his past two outings. He has been living dangerously all year, and I really wouldn't be surprised if he goes on the DL soon, since the Sox bullpen is so deep and could probably live without him for a couple weeks.

Anyways, the win keeps the Sox in first place in the AL East. They are now 1 game up on the Yankees who have won their last 8 out of 10 games.

Liriano Is Back.... And Good?

Super prospect Fransisco Liriano pitched yesterday and pitched extremely well. He went 6 innings, 3 hits, 0ers, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts in his first game back from AAA. Although I don't agree with the cutting of Livan Hernandez because he had 10 wins and one of the best pitchers ever, you have to love the Twins staff. Scott Baker is the oldest at 27, then Nick Blackburn at 26, then Liriano and Perkins at 25, and finally Kevin Slowely at 24. It is absurd with the losses of Johan Santana and Torii Hunter the Twins is actually better and now in first place in the AL Central.