Liriano
Tosses No-Hitter Against Sox
For
the first time since September of 1999, Twins fans got to witness a Minnesota
Twins no-hitter! Francisco Liriano came into the game
with an ERA over 9 and a manager’s threat that if he didn’t pitch better, he
could be replaced in the Twins rotation by Kevin Slowey.
He proceeded to walk the first batter he faced, Juan Pierre. But he got a
double play. He got another inning-ending double header in the 2nd.
It was anything but pretty. Liriano needed 123
pitches to throw his first career complete game. He threw just 66 strikes to go
with 57 balls.
In a
season that has been so rough for the Twins and so disappointing for their
fans, a no-hitter certainly brings excitement. I obviously knew he was throwing
the no-hitter early. In the 4th inning, I was already wondering how
many innings he could get through. Danny Valencia made an absolutely remarkable
play behind 3B in the 7th inning. Playing a deep 3B, Valencia went
quickly to the foul line, and although the ball took a funny bounce, he made
the play, planted and made a really strong throw to 1B. With a runner on in the
8th inning, Gordon Beckham grounded into a double play, even if he
really was not tagged by Justin Morneau. Hey, I’m a
Twins fan. I was just fine with that call.
On the
first play of the 9th inning, Matt Tolbert fielded a ground ball,
took about six or seven steps and threw to 1B. Justin Morneau
made a tremendous scoop. It may have been an error to Tolbert, but would have
been another out that Liriano would have needed to
record. After a third walk of Juan Pierre, Liriano
got Alexei Ramirez to pop out to shortstop. After falling behind Adam Dunn 3-0,
he forced a full count and Dunn lined a shot to the glove of Matt Tolbert. The
no-hitter was complete.
In
that ninth inning, I couldn’t even type .It was the first butterflies and
nerves that I have felt in a long time!
Considering
where Francisco Liriano was coming into the start.
Considering where the Twins were at as a team coming into the game. Despite the walks. It was pretty great to witness a
no-hitter.
Does
it mean that the Twins will suddenly turn things around and start winning? Of
course not, but hopefully! Does it help answer where the Twins will get
production from their offense? No. But for the day, who cares? Let’s just enjoy
it!
The
last Twins pitcher to take a no-hitter into the 9th inning was Scott
Baker against the Royals. He issued a walk to break up the no-hitter, and then
Mike Sweeney came on to pinch hit and blooped a
single.
The
last Twins pitcher to complete a no-hitter was Eric Milton in September of 1999
against the Angels. It was an 11:00 game on a Saturday morning that wasn’t even
televised. The Twins lineup on that day was: Jacque Jones (CF), Denny Hocking
(SS), Matt Lawton (RF), Terry Steinbach ( C), Todd
Walker (DH), Corey Koskie (3B), Torii Hunter (LF),
Doug Mientkiewicz (1B), Cleatus
Davidson (2B).
Ramon
Ortiz started that game for the Angels. Steve Mintz
gave up a run in the 8th inning for the Angels. He has been coaching
in the Twins organization since 2002 and he is now the pitching coach of the
Ft. Myers Miracle.
I’m
sure you recall that Scott Erickson got the final out of his 1991 no-hitter on
a pop up, caught by Alex Cole in left field.
As
always, if you have any questions or
comments, please feel free to leave them below.
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