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Sunday, April 13, 2008

MLB.com: Liriano uneven in return to Majors

Francisco Liriano’s return to the Major Leagues wasn’t exactly reminiscent of the pitcher who dominated the league in 2006 as a rookie.

The left-hander looked much more human in his first start back following a 19-month layoff due to Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 5-1 loss to the Royals on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Liriano was effective at times in his start, but the Royals were able to scatter six hits and drew a total of five walks. He threw a total of 90 pitches in the outing, 51 for strikes.
...
The Twins managed just three hits off Bannister, who went the distance.

I realize this is an early, not final version, of the game story for the Twins site, but “oh, by the way, Brian Bannister threw a three-hitter” being buried as the last line of the article gave me a chuckle.

NTNgod Posted: April 13, 2008 at 06:01 PM | 10 comment(s)
Related News: General, Kansas City, Minnesota

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1. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: April 13, 2008 at 06:10 PM (#2742395)

The real news for me is that Bannister just keeps rolling along. 1 unearned run, 115 pitches, 3K, 1BB, and 15 groundouts to 9 flyouts. The math, it works!

2. Baseballing powerhouse Crispix Attacks Posted: April 13, 2008 at 06:14 PM (#2742397)

If only Bannister, and not another player on the Royals, shared my surname, so I could buy an awesome replica jersey.

3. Ricky C. Posted: April 13, 2008 at 06:14 PM (#2742399)

How did Bannister manage a three-hitter from his parents' basement? Dork.

4. ChadBradfordWannabe Posted: April 13, 2008 at 07:14 PM (#2742448)

Wow, just saw the highlights of Liriano. Did you guys catch the change in arm action? He is in "throwing position" more quickly...i.e. the forearm gets to vertical more quickly. The timing looks different.

It IS "safer", but, hmmmm, well I gotta see a bit more.... You always wonder what changes like this can do. I guess we'll find out. Can't do it, MUST write reports.

5. Dingbat Charlie Posted: April 13, 2008 at 07:31 PM (#2742455)

CBW is on the case!

6. ChadBradfordWannabe Posted: April 13, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#2742458)

Expect 17 articles breaking him down tomorrow. Just remember, I was first....LOL

7. Tim Lincecum-stain (SuperBaes) Posted: April 13, 2008 at 08:05 PM (#2742481)

Score; I thought you went to real work for Arizona or someone, CBW? Either way, I miss your pitching analysis and greatly anticipate any contributions you make to Liriano's change in delivery.

8. ChadBradfordWannabe Posted: April 13, 2008 at 08:12 PM (#2742488)

Oh, I'm not doing the analysis.... but thanks. There are tons of others doing the kind of stuff I did online.

9. Gamingboy Posted: April 13, 2008 at 10:45 PM (#2742970)

I had tickets to see him pitch in the Minors today. I mean, after the way he stunk up most of minors, I was thinking "There is no way the Twins would be stupid enough to bring him up to start today, no matter what they've been saying."

Well, the Twins were stupid enough to bring him up to start today. WTF were they thinking? Yes, it's unlikely the Twins would have won no matter who was pitching (3-hitters do that to you), but I think it's safe to say that today proves that Liriano isn't ready yet to be a dominant starter in the Majors again.

10. Miss Remember Posted: April 14, 2008 at 01:03 AM (#2743268)

Wow, just saw the highlights of Liriano. Did you guys catch the change in arm action? He is in "throwing position" more quickly...i.e. the forearm gets to vertical more quickly. The timing looks different.

I think that stems from that he's not getting his elbow nearly as high in the arm action. It's still getting a wee bit above shoulder but not like this:

http://tiger.towson.edu/~rhurd1/images/Liriano 8x10.jpg

Makes sense to me, the guy has more than enough off-speed stuff to succeed at 90-94 so you might as well move to safer mechanics. Is he going to be the 2.16 ERA 11 K/9 guy? Nope. But he'll be far more likely to stay on the field...just getting in that position in the picture makes my arm hurt.

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Sunday, April 13, 2008

MLB.com: Liriano uneven in return to Majors

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