Francisco Liriano is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who has played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) since his debut in 2005. He is known for his left-handed pitching style and his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, slider, and changeup.
Liriano began his professional career with the Minnesota Twins, where he played from 2005 to 2012. During his time with the Twins, he was named an All-Star in 2006 and helped lead the team to the playoffs in 2009. He also had a standout season in 2010, when he posted a 14-10 record with a 3.62 earned run average (ERA) and 201 strikeouts.
After leaving the Twins, Liriano played for several other teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Oakland Athletics. He had varying levels of success with these teams, but he continued to be a reliable pitcher who could strike out batters and keep his ERA low.
One of Liriano's most notable achievements came in 2013, when he pitched a no-hitter for the Pirates against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out nine batters and walked just two in the game, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Pirates.
Throughout his career, Liriano has faced some challenges, including injuries and struggles with control. However, he has also shown resilience and a willingness to adapt his pitching style to overcome these obstacles. In recent years, he has focused on developing his changeup and improving his command, which has helped him continue to be a valuable pitcher for his teams.
As of 2019, Liriano had a career record of 112-114 with a 4.15 ERA and 1,615 strikeouts. He has also appeared in the playoffs with three different teams and has a 2-2 record in postseason play.
Overall, Francisco Liriano has had a successful career as a left-handed pitcher in MLB. He has been a reliable and effective pitcher for several teams, and he has shown a willingness to adapt and improve his game over time. While he may not be a household name like some of the other top pitchers in the league, he has certainly made his mark on the sport and will be remembered as a talented and hardworking player.
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