FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Francisco Liriano’s fast spring start slowed Tuesday when the Toronto Blue Jays scored four runs off him in the third inning and beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2.
The streaky lefty, who pitched a no-hitter last year while going 9-10, struck out five. But Toronto’s Travis Snyder and Travis d’Arnaud hit consecutive two-run doubles off the right-field fence against Liriano.
Liriano had allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out seven in his first two exhibition outings.
Toronto starter Brett Cecil pitched three scoreless innings, giving up one hit.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer, trying to find his swing after a disappointing year spent battling a slow recovery from knee surgery, had two hits. He batted .200 through his first six games.
