CHICAGO -- Francisco Liriano mostró su potencial hace cinco años, cuando ganó 12 partidos en su temporada de novato con los Mellizos de Minnesota.
Luego came an injury, surgery on the elbow, a lost season and the ups and downs to regain his fitness and confidence.
last year seemed to have returned to the top, winning 14 games. However, 2011 started as a nightmare: the left-hander had trouble locating his pitches, he accumulated marks of 1-4 with 9.13 ERA, and his rotation spot was in danger.
That was until Liriano took the mound on a cold Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox and pitched the game of his life, a no-hitter. Now everyone is wondering if he can continue that kind of performance the rest of the year.
"You know Why? Just had problems, and obviously when you have problems in this sport, you put too much pressure, "said pitching coach Wednesday, the Twins' Rick Anderson.
" He's been doing that at our parties, trying to too much with his pitches. Last night did not have his best releases, but I think it gave good results and I hope it fills you with confidence. "
Liriano gave six tickets and was benefited by good defensive plays, including a third baseman Danny Valencia had to reach the territory foul in the seventh to catch a bruise from Carlos Quentin, and out of out.
Denard Span made a good catch in a line of Quentin in the fourth and in the ninth, first baseman Justin Morneau caught a bad shipment of shortstop Matt Tolbert to seat Brent Morel.
Liriano arrived at U.S. Cellular Field Park on Wednesday morning, just over 12 hours after completing the jewel in 2 hours, 9 minutes. The no-hitter was the first complete game and first shutout of the left-handed.
The lefty looked tired. And it was on everyone's lips in the Dominican Republic.
"I got like 55 text messages and many calls from my family. They were very happy in my house," said Liriano. "My brothers and sisters and all my friends and my cousins. I were calling to the four of tomorrow. "
" I did not sleep. Too many calls, "he added." You know, I was thinking about many things. On the game and other things. "
0 comments:
Post a Comment