Stats back up Liriano's strides

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 11, 2008 - 11:10 PM

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DETROIT - Lefthander Francisco Liriano turned in his third consecutive strong outing for Class AAA Rochester, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has taken notice.

"Those are starting to get to be the numbers you are hoping for," Gardenhire said.

The numbers?

Liriano shut out Durham for seven innings, giving up three hits while walking one and striking out eight. He threw 87 pitches as he improved to 7-2 with a 3.53 ERA.

And here are some more numbers. He is 7-0 in his past eight starts and has a scoreless streak of 21 1/3 innings.

And a couple more: His fastball averaged 93 miles per hour and topped out at 95.

Gardenhire made no indications that the club was considering calling up Liriano, although he indicated that the starting rotation is set for now. But he did talk about the importance of having depth in the minors. Liriano is emerging as an option as he finds his form after Tommy John surgery in 2006 and missing all of last season.

"When you haven't pitched in a long time it comes down to consistency and stretching out and he's doing it," Gardenhire said. "He's done exactly what he's supposed to do."

Morneau's roll

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who went 5-for-5 on Thursday with the game-winning homer in the 11th inning, is the first player to go 5-for-5 or better with an extra-inning home run since Tony Perez did it for the Reds on Sept. 21, 1973, against the Dodgers.

But hold on: Florida's Hanley Ramirez went 5-for-6 on Thursday with a game-winning homer in the 11th, too.

So Twins baseball communications maven Dustin Morse contacted the Elias Sports Bureau and asked for the last time two players had five hits or more and a game-winning homer in extra innings on the same day. It's likely a very rare occurrence, and Elias informed Morse that it would need some time to look up the answer.

The Span Man

Denard Span entered Friday batting .467 since being called up from the minors on June 30. He's also hitting .615 (8-for-13) with two doubles and two triples against lefthanded pitchers.

"I've just been real comfortable against them," Span said. "I've been able to see the ball well and get good swings."

It's a little surprising considering Span batted .174 against lefties while at Class AAA Rochester this season and .244 against them all of last year.

Etc.

• The Twins and Rockies last season discussed a deal involving third baseman Garrett Atkins, and that interest carried into the offseason. Atkins entered Friday batting .314 with 14 homers and 54 RBI. But there are no indications that the Twins will revisit those discussions now. Besides, there are now indications that the Rockies would have to be blown away by an offer to part with a player they think highly of.

• Shortstop Adam Everett will now move to Class A Fort Myers for three games as he continues his return from a strained left shoulder. He should eventually land at Class AAA Rochester. With no spot for him currently on the major league roster the Twins may look to deal Everett or designate him for assignment.

• Span reached base in eight consecutive plate appearances before he lined out in the fourth on Friday. Morneau reached in seven successive plate appearances before he struck out in the third.

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