White Sox acquire Francisco Liriano

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The White Sox have acquired starter Francisco Liriano from Minnesota for Eduardo Escobar and Pedro Hernandez, the team announced Saturday.

Liriano was in the midst of an up-and-down year with the Twins, compiling a 5.31 ERA in 22 games, 17 of which were starts.

The 28-year-old lefty was demoted to Minnesota's bullpen in mid-May after seeing his ERA balloon to 9.45 in his first seven starts. But since his return to the rotation, he owns a 3.68 ERA over 11 starts, and opponents have hit just .190 off Liriano in those 66 innings.

Liriano no-hit the White Sox last May and has a 4.99 ERA in 70 13 career innings against the Sox. As a rookie in 2006, Liriano posted a 2.16 ERA in 121 innings but underwent Tommy John surgery after the season, causing him to miss the entire 2007 season. He returned in 2008 to moderate success, but scuffled in 2009.

The 2010 season was Liriano's best, as he made a career-high 31 starts with a 3.62 ERA. But Liriano struggled through 2011, with his no-hitter serving as the high point of a year in which his ERA was 5.09.

Escobar started Saturday's game in place of Alexei Ramirez and had two doubles and an RBI in five at-bats. On the season, the 23-year-old infielder is hitting .207.281.276 in 97 plate appearances.

Hernandez, acquired from San Diego in last year's Carlos Quentin trade, was lit up by the Red Sox in his only career start in the majors. In 85 23 minor-league innings this season, the lefty has a 2.94 ERA.

Liriano will hit free agency after the season and is owed a pro-rated portion of his 5.5 million salary in 2012.

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