Liriano locks up 5th starter spot, strikes out 8 as Twins beat Pirates 4-1

Liriano looks strong for Twins vs. Pirates

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Francisco Liriano locked up the final spot in the Twins’ rotation on Tuesday, striking out eight in six shutout innings of Minnesota’s 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Liriano also walked three, and said later he’d been told he will be the Twins’ fifth starter. He was competing with Brian Duensing for the job and also was discussed as a possible replacement for injured closer Joe Nathan.

Liriano says he will pitch in a minor league game on Sunday and make his first start at the Chicago White Sox on April 9. He has struck out 30 in 20 innings this spring.

Pirates starter Charlie Morton gave up one run and five hits in six innings.