Already dealing with injuries to three of their starting pitchers, the Minnesota Twins would have liked to see Francisco Liriano evoke some hope by rebounding from his first start and throwing well against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, but the lefty only lasted 2.1 innings in giving up five runs en route to his second loss of the season.
Liriano (0-2, 11.91 ERA) lasted longer than his skipper Ron Gardenhire and teammate Denard Span, though, who were both ejected in the top half of the third inning in the middle of Span's at bat. Clete Thomas replaced Span and promptly doubled in a run and later scored on a Jamey Carroll single to give the Twins an early 3-1 lead.
Liriano gave the lead right back in the third, though, as the Yankees scored all they would need, although they would add a run in the fourth, fifth and seventh.
Josh Willingham homered in the second inning for the Twins, who had only five hits and just one after the third inning against Yankees' starter CC Sabathia. Sabathia threw seven-plus innings and recorded his first win of the 2012 season.
Minnesota and New York will play the third of a four-game series on Wednesday night with first pitch slated for 6:05 p.m. CT.
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