Late night: Twins 2, Mariners 1

Francisco Liriano, with the
Killebrew memorial patch on
his shoulder,  unloads.

Game story here.

Box score here.

It wasn't a complete game or a shutout -- much less a no-hitter. But Francisco Liriano pitched better Tuesday than he did in his no-hitter.

Seven innings of three-hit ball, with one walk and nine strikeouts. Of his 110 pitches, 72 were strikes.

That's the kind of pitching he provided last season, and the kind of pitching that has been absent all season.

And let us also note the efficient work of Glen Perkins and Matt Capps, who combined to throw just 20 pitches in getting the final six outs -- 20 pitches and 15 strikes.

So the losing streak is over. And for the first time this year, there is serious reason to be encouraged by Liriano.