Francisco Liriano is going for his second straight win since rejoining the starting rotation for the Minnesota Twins. After six shutout innings with nine strikeouts in his first start back from the bullpen, Liriano has tossed six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts and just one walk (the first batter of the game). Four of those strikeouts came in one inning:
Liriano's 4-K inning ties the Major League record. Third to do it this year, joining Bud Norris (Astros) & Ryan Cook (A's). #Twins
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) June 6, 2012
Jeff Francoeur reached on a wild pitch after the strikeout, so that allowed for Liriano to strikeout a fourth hitter in the inning. According to the broadcast, it's the first time a Twins pitcher has struck out four batters in a single inning since Scott Baker did it in 2008.
Liriano is currently getting outdueled by Bruce Chen, though, as the righty for the Royals has gone six-shutout innings and has struck out four opposite zero walks. The Royals lead the Twins 1-0 going into the seventh.
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