Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano leaves Saturday start with flu-like symptoms

Francisco Liriano is 69-65 with a 4.18 ERA in nine big league seasons. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Francisco Liriano started for the Pirates on Saturday in St. Louis but had to leave the game in the third inning with what the team later announced was flu-like symptoms and dizziness.

Liriano, who made the last out in the top of the third, walked the first batter in the bottom of the inning and then had a 3-0 count on Matt Carpenter when manager Clint Hurdle and the training staff went to check on him.

Here is video of Liriano leaving the game. He grimaced as he walked off the mound following his final pitch.

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The 30-year-old didn't allow a run in his two-plus innings, allowing two hits and two walks. He is 0-3 with a 3.97 ERA in six starts, with 34 strikeouts in 34 innings, a year after going 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA.

Stolmy Pimentel replaced Liriano, who is in his second season with the Pirates after parts of seven with the Twins and half a season with the White Sox.

Earlier in the day, the Pirates put catcher Russell Martin and closer Jason Grilli on the disabled list.

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