Oakland @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Oakland 2, Minnesota 4
Someone must have had a long talk with Francisco Liriano after his July 9 start at Comerica Park.
The Minnesota Twins left-hander had one of the worst outings of his career that day against Detroit, lasting only 1 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs on six hits. Liriano needed 52 pitches to retire five batters before being given the rest of the day off.
Since then Liriano has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball and is a big reason why Minnesota is closing in on its second consecutive American League Central title going into today's game against Oakland.
The Twins' magic number to clinch the division is five following their 4-2 win over the A's on Saturday. The victory gave Minnesota a 10-game lead over the Chicago White Sox, who lost 6-3 to Detroit.
Liriano is 8-0 in his last 11 starts, but that only tells part of the story. He has allowed three runs or less in nine starts and hasn't given up a run four times in this stretch of excellent pitching.
He got a no-decision in his only start against Oakland on June 5 but dominated the A's. Liriano gave up one run in seven innings and struck out 10, the fifth time he has reached double figures in strikeouts this season. The Twins scored a run in the ninth for a 4-3 win.
Liriano has pitched like an ace most of the season. He has allowed 167 hits, including only four home runs, in 178 1/3 innings and struck out 189.
While Liriano makes headlines, Oakland's Bobby Cramer is a virtual unknown in baseball circles. The 30-year-old left-hander's long journey to the majors finally ended Monday when he picked up a win over Kansas City in his debut. Cramer held the Royals to one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Cramer's path to the big leagues was filled with obstacles that would have forced most players to look for another career path long ago. He wasn't selected until the 38th round in the June 2001 draft by Seattle, and had Tommy John surgery before he could make his pro debut, which came with the Tampa Bay organization in 2003.
Cramer quit baseball in 2005 and found work as a substitute teacher before signing with the A's in 2007. He pitched well in the minors, but his shoulder still bothered him and he was released. Cramer pitched in an independent league before Oakland re-signed him last year.