The non-waiver trade deadline passed without the Twins making another move, as La Velle reports here. Now, back to regular programming.
Josh Willingham took Francisco Liriano deep last year.
The Twins were in Oakland on July 29. It was the first inning. Liriano fell behind in the count 3-0. Willingham had the green light, swung at the next pitch -- a fastball -- and didn't miss, drilling a two-run homer to left field.
"He wasn't throwing as hard last year, so he was kind of a different guy," Willingham recalled Monday.
Well, tonight, Willingham can take aim again. After getting traded to the White Sox on Saturday, Liriano drew the start against his former team tonight.
Willingham and Jamey Carroll are the only two Twins who've faced Liriano previously. Willingham is 1-for-2 with a walk and Carroll is 0-for-5 with FOUR WALKS.
That's the thing about Liriano. When he's on, look out. When he's off, look out. Good teams know to be patient against Liriano, to make him throw strikes. As Denard Span said yesterday, everyone will know within the first couple innings what kind of night it's going to be for Frankie.
By the way: Willingham homered a second time in that July 29 game -- off Jose Mijares. Here's the video. It was a 9-5 victory for the Twins, and Willingham had all five of Oakland's RBI. Good grief, no wonder the Twins wanted him.
