Brandon Moss Powers A's over Arizona; Francisco Liriano Sharp for Twins

Players of the Day for Sunday, March 18, 2012

Grapefruit League

Liriano: 5 IP 0 H 6 K

Minnesota ace Francisco Liriano had an effective tune-up in the Twins' 10-0 blanking of Pittsburgh in Sunday's South Florida exhibition action.

Liriano, who posted a disappointing 9-10 mark last season, was razor-sharp in five innings of work, fanning six Pirate batters and walking one without surrendering a hit. It was Liriano's fourth appearance of the spring and the longest for the left=hander. Through 13 innings, Liriano has struck out 18 batters and is carrying an ERA of 2.77.

The Twins improved to 10-8 in Grapefruit League play.

Moss: 3-3, HR 4 RBI

Cactus League

The Oakland A's were a model of efficiency in their 11-2 victory over the Diamondbacks Sunday, cashing all 11 runs on 11 hits, stranding just six base-runners.

Outfield prospect Brandon Moss went 3-for-3 with a pair of singles and a home run. The lefty slugger, whose longest major league stint was 133 games with the Pirates in 2009, drove in four runs and is batting a brisk .526 this spring with 10 hits in 19 at-bats.

The A's won their 8th road game and lead the Cactus League with a 13-4 record.