MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano’s bid for back-to-back no-hitters ended quickly _ as did his time on the mound.
Liriano was taken out after three innings Tuesday against Detroit. He gave up four runs, three hits and three walks while throwing 59 pitches. He got the first four outs before a walk and a home run by Jhonny Peralta gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
The Twins said Liriano left the game due to illness. His first start after the no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox a week ago was pushed back because of flulike symptoms and a sore throat.
Liriano was having trouble catching his breath on an 87-degree, muggy evening.
“I guess this is still the same thing he was dehydrated from,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.
In the middle of an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera in the third, Liriano was visited by his pitching coach, manager and athletic trainer. He took a warmup pitch and finished the inning, but Brian Duensing relieved him at the beginning of the next frame.
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