Liriano is back but isn't the way he was in 2006

The Royals had no trouble with the Twins pitcher, who was making his first start in 19 months after elbow surgery.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: April 14, 2008 - 11:50 AM

Print this story

More from Twins

KANSAS CITY, MO. - There once was a time when Francisco Liriano upstaged Roger Clemens.

On Sunday, he had nothing on Brian Bannister, or even Brian Bass.

After a 5-1 loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, the Twins were left to focus on one positive -- the mere fact Liriano was back after losing 19 months to an elbow injury.

But nobody kidded themselves into thinking he looked anything like he did as a rookie, in 2006.

Certainly the Royals didn't.

They filled the bases with six hits and five walks, scoring four runs in his 4 2/3 innings.

"I know his velocity's down a lot," said Mark Teahen, who went 0-for-3 against Liriano. "I saw his slider pretty good today. Obviously I didn't produce, but it was easier to pick up the slider.

"He's still throwing 91 [miles per hour] and can still be a really productive pitcher, but definitely not the flash that was there in '06."

Liriano's fastball readings ranged from 88 to 93 mph. Velocity wasn't the problem. It was location.

Any time Liriano needed a big pitch, he kept turning to his slider, as he did to strike out Teahen and Jose Guillen in the first inning.

The fastball got pounded at times, notably when Billy Butler laced an RBI single up the middle in the first. That hit tied the score, after Justin Morneau's RBI single had given the Twins a 1-0 lead.

"My slider's where I want it to be," Liriano said. "I just don't want to throw it that much right now. My fastball's not where I want it. When I try to throw it inside, it stays in the middle. Try to throw it outside, it just goes away high."

Liriano threw five fastballs to Alex Gordon to start the second inning. Four of them were balls. Two pitches later, Miguel Olivo drilled a fastball for an RBI double over the head of right fielder Denard Span.

Those two runs were all Bannister (3-0) needed as he tossed a three-hitter for the second complete game of his career.

Liriano threw 90 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to only nine of the 24 batters he faced. Bass followed with 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief, using only 17 pitches.

He and Bannister made it look easy. Liriano had posted a 7.56 ERA in two minor league appearances before getting promoted. Counting those, his season totals include 10 walks and 17 hits in 14 innings pitched.

This from a pitcher who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie, including a memorable victory over Houston in Clemens' 2006 debut.

"It was good to get back; it was just too cold today," Liriano said. "I can't feel my hands throwing the ball."

The windchill at game time was 29 degrees.

Manager Ron Gardenhire noted that Liriano's next start will be in the Metrodome -- Friday against Cleveland. Maybe the climate control will help with Liriano's control.

"We'll see," Gardenhire said. "I can't guarantee anything, but at least he'll be able to feel the ball. I think warm weather's a little better for most pitchers. The other guy [Bannister] handled it pretty good, but like I said, that's the first time out [for Liriano] in a long, long time."

Recent Twins stories

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - April 14, 2008

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since elbow surgery last Sept. 1 and said he felt good. More