It was Francisco Liriano’s longest and best outing of the spring, but when the 24-year-old left-hander exited Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he had no indication if he would be in the Minnesota Twins’ rotation to start the regular season.

Liriano, who missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, went five innings in the Twins’ 3-1 loss to the Pirates (13-16) Friday at Hammond Stadium. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven.

“I’m ready to start in Minnesota,” Liriano said, “but whatever they feel is better for me, I’ll do.”

The decision came moments after the game and manager Ron Gardenhire said it was best for Liriano to be held back. He will make at least two Minor League starts before joining the rotation.

His first start will come at Hammond Stadium Thursday when the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins’ Class-A affiliate, opens their Florida State League season.

“I’m going to option him right here to Fort Myers,” Gardenhire said. “Then he’ll join the Triple-A team five days later for one game. After those two games, he should be up to 100 pitches and we’ll bring him with us.”

Liriano threw around 74 pitches Friday. He allowed two walks, but overall showed good command, using his slider and changeup often.

He allowed his only run in the second when he hung a slider on a 3-2 pitch and the Pirates’ Jose Bautista connected for a solo home run.

Gardenhire said the decision to keep Liriano behind was made out of caution, adding that Liriano had progressed throughout the spring.

“Yes, he could probably go with us and do as good as a lot of pitchers in the league, but you have to remember he came here late, he’s been out 17 months, this is the right thing for him,” Gardenhire said.

The decision leaves a void in the rotation for the Twins (14-14), who open the regular season Monday when they host the Los Angeles Angels.

Veteran Livan Hernandez will start the opener and the next three starters in order are Boof Bonser, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. Scott Baker is the projected fifth starter if all goes well in a Minor League start Sunday.

The Twins play one more Spring Training game Saturday at Bradenton against the Pirates before heading back to the Twin Cities.

“Everybody’s getting comfortable with each other and getting the feel for how we do things here,” Gardenhire said. “It’s a process, it’s not going to stop now.”



Pittsburgh 010 000 101 — 3 8 0

Minnesota 000 001 000 — 1 7 1

W — Chris Hernandez. L — Brian Bass.

2B — Jose Bautista (P), Miles Durham (P), Matt Cavagnaro (P). HR — Bautista (P).



Attendance record: The Twins concluded their Spring Training home schedule Friday with their 14th sellout in 16 games at Hammond Stadium.

They averaged 7,808 fans per game, establishing a new attendance mark, surpassing the previous average of 7,620 set last season. The total attendance reached 124, 934.

The Twins have held their Spring Training in Fort Myers since 1991.

Brent Peterson, a New Holt, Minn., resident and lifelong Twins fan, said he decided to drive down with a friend and their two sons for the first time this year.

He said his son picked up an autograph from Twins closer Joe Nathan, and the search for more autographs continued before and after Friday’s game.

“We decided to make the trip this year and we had a blast,” Peterson said. “Luckily, we were able to arrange great weather.”