It wasn’t Francisco Liriano, vintage 2006. The fastballs and sliders didn’t have the same zip. The hitters didn’t look as overwhelmed.
But the Twins were delighted Sunday when Liriano gave up only three hits in six shutout innings in a 6-2 victory over Cleveland.
That victory moved the Twins back into first place for the first time since May. Liriano got his first major-league victory since July 23, 2006.
Liriano, 24, was 10-2 at Rochester, including 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA in July. He said he felt as jittery for this start as he did for his major-league debut in 2005.
“After the first inning I was better,” he said. “I was really nervous. I don’t know why.”
His fastballs ranged from 87-93 m.p.h. His sliders were mostly 84 to 85.
“This first year (after surgery) is kind of hit-and- miss,” Gardenhire said. “Maybe next year you’re going to see everything step up even more.”
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EDITED BY BOB FOLTMAN AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW