Liriano knocked out in fifth for Rochester

Francisco Liriano, sent down to the minors after being knocked out in the first inning at Oakland last week, allowed four runs on five hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings for Rochester this afternoon.

Last update: April 30, 2008 - 12:46 PM

The struggles of lefty Francisco Liriano continued today as he gave up five hits and walked five Pawtucket batters in 4 1/3 innings against Pawtucket while pitching for Class AAA Rochester.

One of the walks was intentional.

He was replaced midway through the fifth after giving up two doubles and one other walk.Pawtucket, a Red Sox farm club, led 4-0 when Liriano was pulled.

Liriano threw 94 pitches, 51 of them strikes.

After starting the season in the minors as part of his rehabilitation after the Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2007 season, Liriano had an 0-3 record with the Twins. After being knocked out in the first inning at Oakland last Thursday, Liriano told Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire that he was no longer confident in his ability to throw strikes.

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