Good outing for Liriano as Twins blank Red Sox
Minnesota Sports- Francisco Liriano struck out eight in seven strong innings and Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run homer as part of a 15-hit attack, as Minnesota thoroughly dominated Boston, 8-0, to win its first-ever series at Target Field.
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Francisco Liriano struck out eight in seven strong innings and Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run homer as part of a 15-hit attack, as Minnesota thoroughly dominated Boston, 8-0, to win its first-ever series at Target Field.
Cuddyer finished 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs batted in, and Denard Span doubled twice and drove in two for the Twins, who claimed the opener at their new home here on Monday before succumbing to the Red Sox and John Lackey in a 6-3 loss Wednesday.
Liriano (1-0) was dominant in his second start of the season, allowing just six runners to reach base on four hits and a pair of walks. The promising lefty needed only 96 pitches to tear through Boston's lineup for his first career win versus the Sox in three starts.
"All my pitches were working really good today. My arm feels great, mentally I feel great," Liriano said. "The guys behind me made some plays. I was fortunate to throw a lot of first-pitch strikes."
Justin Morneau and Nick Punto added three hits apiece. Morneau collected his seventh RBI on the young season, while Punto scored twice.
Boston's knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield (0-1) was hit around for six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Dustin Pedroia had three of the six hits for Boston, which had taken two of three from Kansas City prior to helping the Twins christen their new ballpark.
The Red Sox had their best chance at getting to Liriano in the first two innings. Pedroia reached on a single and Victor Martinez doubled for Boston's lone extra base hit on the day with one out in the first. Kevin Youkilis, though, went down swinging and Adrian Beltre grounded out to end the threat.
Mike Lowell opened the second with a single and Bill Hall walked with one away. But Liriano escaped the frame without further incident and proceeded to set down the next 11 in order while the Twins built up a 4-0 lead.
Tags: mn sports, proam, baseball, twins
More from around the web
RSS Feeds