(Sports Network) - Francisco Liriano makes his much-anticipated return to the majors this afternoon when the Minnesota Twins play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at the Metrodome.

Liriano took the American League by storm as a 22-year-old rookie in 2006, compiling a 12-3 record and a stellar 2.16 earned run average over 16 starts and 12 relief appearances to help lead the Twins to an AL Central title. However, the Dominican phenom began to develop elbow problems during that season's stretch run and eventually had to undergo Tommy John surgery that would shelve him for the entire 2007 campaign.

He returned to the Minnesota rotation on April 13 of this season, but was hammered in each of his three starts, losing all of them, while pitching to an 11.32 earned run average.

Liriano was then sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he dominated, going 10-0 with a 2.67 ERA in his last 11 starts. Minnesota, though, took its time recalling him, but did so after designating veteran Livan Hernandez for assignment on Friday.

Liriano was beaten by Cleveland on April 18 and is 1-2 lifetime against it with a 3.86 ERA in five games, three of which have been starts.

The Indians will counter with 30-year-old righty Matt Ginter, who is 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA. Ginter lost his second straight start on Tuesday against Detroit, as he surrendered four runs and eight hits in four innings.

Ginter has faced the Twins 11 times (one start), but has yet to record a decision, while pitching to a 3.81 ERA.

In the second game of this set on Saturday, Paul Byrd was solid on the mound and David Dellucci missed the cycle by a triple, as Cleveland rolled to a 5-1 win.

The Twins were without manager Ron Gardenhire, who was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for his actions during Thursday's 10-6 win over the Chicago White Sox. It was during the seventh inning of Thursday's game when Gardenhire incited a disruptive reaction from the Metrodome crowd, causing fans to throw debris on the field.

Byrd (6-10) tossed seven innings and gave up just one run on six hits while walking two and fanning one. Rafael Perez hurled two perfect innings of relief, though it was not a save situation.

In addition to Dellucci's two-run homer, Kelly Shoppach also had a two-run blast for the Indians, who have only three wins in their last eight games. Jhonny Peralta had an RBI double and scored once in the win.

Kevin Slowey (7-8) was saddled with the loss as he was roughed up for five runs on six hits over six frames. Slowey did strike out seven without walking a single batter though. Brian Bass and Dennys Reyes combined to throw three innings of one-hit relief.

Denard Span and Delmon Young combined for four of the six hits for Minnesota, which has only lost two of its previous eight contests.

Justin Morneau knocked in the only run in defeat for the Twins, who remain a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead.

Cleveland, which has lost nine of its 14 games with Minnesota this season, has also dropped six of its eight meetings with the Twins at the Metrodome.