Liriano gets big-league welcome in debut

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano was cheered when he ran in from the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning in his major league debut Monday. More cheers went up when he was officially announced.

Then the Rangers' Gary Matthews Jr. welcomed him to the show by hitting his fifth pitch 438 feet and well into the seats in left.

"I think he's going to remember his first major league outing," Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "Not just the thrill of being here, but probably the longest home run he's given up in his life."

Liriano's response to the homer: "He got me good."

But he settled down to get out of the inning with two strikeouts and a groundout. He hit 94 to 96 miles per hour with his fastball, but his most impressive pitch was a sharp slider that hit 88 mph.

Liriano, who was called up Friday, will remain in the bullpen unless the Twins decide they have no shot at a wild card. Then they will find a start for him.

"He's pretty good," Anderson said. "It's going to be fun to watch him progress."

More players called up

The Twins augmented their roster with four more players from Class AAA Rochester. Catcher Chris Heintz, reliever Travis Bowyer and infielders Luis Rodriguez and Luis Rivas will be in uniform tonight against the Rangers.

Bowyer has hit 99 mph with his fastball several times over the past two minor league seasons and has worked on a slider. He was 4-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 23 saves at Rochester. He had 40 walks and 96 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings.

If Bowyer proves he can help the team next season, the bullpen won't lack power pitchers. Jesse Crain, Juan Rincon and Joe Nathan all throw at least 93 mph.

Heintz, used primarily as a catcher-designated hitter, batted .304 for the Red Wings.

Rivas, the starting second baseman from 2001 to midway through last season, returns after batting .255 with two homers and 22 RBI in 42 games.

Rodriguez was sent to Rochester on Aug. 28 when righthander Scott Baker was promoted.

Etc.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will arrive a couple of hours late to the Metrodome today because of a follow-up stress test for heart palpitations he suffered last month.

Michael Cuddyer could miss the series because of sore ribs. He wanted to take batting practice Monday but was too sore to do so. Cuddyer injured himself Friday while making a diving catch against Cleveland.

This week the Twins continue auctions to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief. A chance to spend a game in a suite with Tony Oliva went for $5,000 on Monday. The auctions will end Wednesday.

Rangers righthander Kameron Loe is 2-0 with 14 scoreless innings against the Twins this season.

On deck

Twins righthander Kyle Lohse (8-12), who had a 3.05 ERA in August, will start tonight in the second game of a three-game series against Texas. Former Twin Kenny Rogers (12-7) has a chance to win at least 13 games for the fourth consecutive season.