FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano held the Pittsburgh Pirates hitless for five innings, notching six strikeouts in today's 10-0 victory at Hammond Stadium.
Liriano was coming off a rough outing in his previous start, as he gave up four runs over three innings last Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
But Liriano's first two starts this spring were both scoreless. So here are his spring totals to date: 13 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 18 K.
Liriano, who battled shoulder stiffness last year, said he feels a lot like he did in 2010, when he went 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA.
"Yeah, basically I feel healthy," he said. "Nothing's bothering me like last year, so it feels pretty good."
Update: Twins outfielder Trevor Plouffe strained his right hamstring in the seventh inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Ben Revere. GM Terry Ryan said Plouffe's injury isn't serious, but the team plans to keep him out until Wednesday. The Twins are off Tuesday, so this will give him two days to have the injury treated.
