Francisco Liriano pitched a no-hitter in U.S. Cellular Field May 3, 2011 as a Minnesota Twin, but that isn’t the reason he looks forward to his first home start Sunday for the White Sox.
“I like pitching here. I’ve pitched here so many times. I pitched good games here, so I’ll try to do the same thing.
“I look forward to try to go out there and do my best and win the ball game,” he said. “When I got out there I don’t think about the stadium. I just try to make my pitches and do my job. Whatever happens, happens.”
Liriano was acquired July 28 from the Twins for infielder Eduardo Escobar and left handed pitcher Pedro Hernandez.
General manager Ken Williams said he considered Liriano valuable despite a 3-10 record and 5.18 ERA because of adjustments pitching coach Don Cooper could make.
“He wanted me to stay tall and not get too low [in his delivery],” Liriano said. “Another thing he wants me to work on later, but for now to go out there and try to do your job and make a good pitch and try to go deeper in the game and just be who I am.”
Liriano’s familiarity with the American League Central is another plus for the Sox.
“It’s kind of easy for me getting to stay in the same division, facing the same teams. The only thing I change is my uniform.”
Liriano’s first Sox start was against his former team last week when he allowed two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts over six innings. He was not involved in the decision.
