The Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers will get together this evening to start a quick two-game series at Target Field, and tonight will feature the return of left-hander Francisco Liriano (2-4, 6.61 ERA), who is making his first start since pitching a no-hitter at U.S. Cellular Field against the Chicago White Sox one week ago.
It wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing no-hitter in baseball history, as Liriano walked six batters and threw only about half his pitches for strikes, but it was a no-hitter none the less. He will now attempt to become the first pitcher since Johnny Vander Meer of the 1938 Cincinnati Reds to pitch no-hitters in two consecutive games. . .though he doesn't expect anything like that to happen.
"I just want to go out there and have a quality start and give the team a chance to win the game," Liriano said Monday. "I don't think about a no-hitter or anything like that."
Liriano will be opposite Tigers' right-hander Rick Porcello (2-2, 3.93 ERA). Porcello was strong in his last start, scattering eight hits and allowing two runs over seven innings in a 6-3 Detroit victory over the New York Yankees on May 5.
First pitch for this one is scheduled for 7:10 PM Central time. Be sure to check out our friends at Twinkie Town for their Game Thread, and we'll have the recap over here when things have finished up.