First number, last word

By Tom Singer

August 20, 2013

2.53: Francisco Liriano's ERA following his seven shutout innings in Monday night's series opener with the Padres. It is the lowest among the seven Major League pitchers with 14-or-more wins.

"I know he's looking forward to getting the ball and going out there. He's not pleased with the way things have finished the last two times out." -- Hurdle on A.J. Burnett, who started Tuesday night against the Padres after having squandered leads of 3-1 to the Rockies and 4-0 to the Cardinals in his last two outings.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.