Liriano Flirts With No-No in WhiteSox Win
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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images(MINNEAPOLIS) — Traded away two months ago, Francisco Liriano took it to his former team on Saturday.
Liriano took a no-hitter into the seventh inning to help the Chicago White Sox win over the Minnesota twins 5-3 at Target Field backed by a homerun and three RBI’s from Paul Konerko.
Liriano, who switched between starting and the bullpen when with the Twins (60-86), now does the same for the Chicago (78-66). In this start, the only hit he allowed was a two-out, two-run homerun to Trevor Plouffe which cut the lead to 4-2. He finished with two walks and nine strikeouts.
“He just looked like he had a lot of confidence out there, just throwing strikes,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “His stuff moves all over the place. When he has that confidence and pounds the strike zone, he’s tough.”
The team has not committed to putting Liriano (6-11) in the starting rotation for the stretch run, but that does not bother the lefty, who picked up his third win since the trade.
“It’s not a big deal,” he said. “We’re in a pennant race now, we’ve got to stay focused and do whatever’s best for the team, whether bullpen or starting.”
Liriano has a no-hitter in his career, coming against the White Sox last season.
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