Twins postgame: Liriano OK in first start since coming off the disabled list

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano threw 39 pitches over the first two innings on Tuesday, and pitching coach Rick Anderson spoke to him about calming down some in his first outing since May 22.

The Twins pulled Liriano after five innings and 81 pitches - he was on a pitch count. By the end, they saw flashes of the pitcher they need to see the rest of the season.

Liriano took the loss, but the only run off him was unearned, as Delmon Young misplayed a double down the line, allowing Carlos Santana to advance to third then score on a groundout in the fourth inning.

Liriano gave up three hits and walked three while striking out seven.

``We wanted to make sure he was healthy and he was that," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. ``His velocity was good. He said he was overthrowing the ball. He was misfiring a little bit, at times. I also think you saw some swings and misses, quite a few of them. That meant his ball was moving very well and we've seen that before.

``That's a good beginning for him coming off the DL (left shoulder inflammation) and we'll go from there."

CUDDYER'S FIRE

Michael Cuddyer made the final out of the game when Chris Perez got him looking at strike three. But Cuddyer felt the final pitch was off the plate - and replays suggested that possibility.

Cuddyer let home plate umpire Adrian Johnson have it while the Indians celebrated the 1-0 win.

``I just didn't think that pitch was a strike at all," Cuddyer said.

Cuddyer was right in Johnson's face. Gardenhire and third base coach Steve Liddle had to rush in to make sure things didn't escalate. Cuddyer was asked if there was any contact between him and Johnson.

``I don't remember," Cuddyer said. ``I know I wasn't happy."