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MINNEAPOLIS -- Francisco Liriano wasn't necessarily lights-out in Wednesday night's 2-1 win over the Tigers. But he was damn good.
Liriano (12-7, 3.27) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only five hits and a walk while striking out seven. Sure, he also plunked two batters and was forced to pitch out of two tough jams in the third and fourth innings, but since having his start pushed back a week ago in Texas, Liriano looks like a rejuvenated man.
And there's a good reason for that. Prior to his last two starts, Liriano has received seven and five days of rest, respectively, instead of the usual four (actually, five days of rest isn't uncommon with off days, but 12 days combined between three starts is a lot).
When asked how much the extra rest has helped, Liriano said, "A lot. I feel way better too."
"When you feel better, you do things better. I feel much better."
Liriano experienced a "tired arm" period, as manager Ron Gardenhire described it, throughout the middle of August. In his three starts prior to Texas on August 26, Liriano failed to pitch beyond 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings (5.87 ERA) to go along with 20 hits, 12 walks and 15 strikeouts.
In his last two outings combined, however, Liriano has allowed only two earned runs in 14 innings, striking out 13, walking only two and allowing only 10 hits.
Regarding the tired arm period, Gardenhire said pitchers don't necessarily always have to experience a drop in velocity -- Liriano's has remained consistent throughout the entire summer -- but other factors come into play.
"I think what happens is mentally you get a little beat down too, but physically your body's telling you you feel OK, but you start forcing it," Gardenhire said. "It's not so much a drop in velocity, but it's hard work out there. Everything should be nice and fluid, repetitive on the mound. And when you see guys really start forcing balls and forcing breaking balls, you know they're getting a little tired."
For Liriano, who threw between 50 and 60 innings in winter ball prior to spring training on top of the 165 1/3 innings he's thrown this season, Gardenhire said he will look for spots to give the lefty an extra day of rest here and there.
"The rest helps him," Gardenhire said. "The extra day always helps him, and it does with all these guys this time of year.
"I've got (Kevin) Slowey coming back. Who knows, you might be able to stick him in and give (Liriano) an extra day somewhere."
A well-rested and effective Liriano is critical to the success of the Twins starting rotation. And, of course, the success of the Twins starting rotation is critical to making a deep playoff run.
See how that works?
