Ultima Ratio

Agreed, and it would make particularly poor sense to trade Span (as many suggest) only to pick up Hunter in the offseason.

What can the Twins do to get Morneau back to form, especially his futility against southpaws? He look horrible out there.

It was a baby miracle.

Helloooooooooo... goodbyeeeeeeee!

1. Atta boy Plouffe 2. Morneau is hacking like Delmon Young, no discipline.

Put a tent up, we've got a circus!

Pitching around a lefty, in a lefty on lefty matchup to lead off an inning? I don't think so. He was just nibbling way too much.

If Duensing got the call because he's a lefty, he needs to make Votto and the other lefties swing the bat. A righty could walk Votto too. And here is the consequence of the lead of walk. Sheesh

With 5 mediocre starters all year, we'd have a good shot of having a winning record.

Cueto is a righty.

Plouffe had a full count. It's a way to stay out the double play (other than the strike out, which happened). I think it was the right call, but a little risky and it caught up to us that time.

Why does Cueto wear a towel under his cap? Is it to catch sweat like a headband or what?

What could it possibly hurt to bring him aboard? If the MO of the front office is to throw waiver wires into RF until something sticks, you'd think the same maxim applies for pitchers.

@1: Yeah, he did lose it right away, but he still got back to the wall in time. I'm just guessing the Span and Revere make that catch all things begin equal (losing the ball initially). @3: This is totally subjective because I was right behind the plate and not able to see exactly how they were being pitched. I did see them getting behind too many counts, and not because they were fooled by pitches, but not timing them correctly and rushing. Does that make sense? The opposing pitcher was not the best they've faced by far, but maybe he was pitching over his head, I can't say without more info. @5: I used to catch, not that that provides any privileged knowledge, but I do pay attention to the position defensively. It looked like Harrison got a huge jump on Diamond when stealing second. I agree that the pitcher plays the greatest role in giving the catch the chance to throw a runner out, so Doumit is not to blame of that. The same might be true of the double steel, though I didn't see Harrison get a huge lead or jump that time, thus I put it on Doumit. I could be wrong about the lead and jump though --again, my seats were not behind the plate where I could better make this determination. I did see many dropped balls, however... for no reason, which regardless if runners advanced, it just looks lazy, sluggish and does not help you picker when trying to frame a pitch if it pops out of your mit. He doesn't look very athletic, but rather kinda boorish behind the plate. That's just what I saw. I hope Mauer is back in the lineup tomorrow.

@1: Revere did take a bag but I don't have a good answer other than to take a look at who was on 1st at the time. Plouffe had a couple opportunities and Carroll 1 or 2 as well (I can't remember for sure which), but I think Plouffe has been thrown out a couple times recently, so unless it's Revere or Span on 1st, I don't seem much stealing with Carroll, Plouffe or Dozier. Casilla, though, would also get a green light if he had the opportunity. Also, perhaps Correia has a smaller/quicker step to home than the rest of the Pirates staff. I don't know. @2: I love the vista from the stadium: eclectic and impressive building and skyscrapers just beyond center field it seems, the Clemente bridge, the walk there and back passing the pirates mural, painted under the boulevard of the allies. I love how close one is to the field no matter where one's seat is -- it's very intimate. I love how I can get great tickets much cheaper than at other stadiums. Of course, I would trade it all to live near Target field, but that's just to see my team play more often.

Was at the game and immediately thought Revere would score, but Hammer's single was well hit and on a bead to McCutchen. It must have only 2 or 3 hopped before getting to McCutchen and he's got a rifle. Revere also did not get a super jump on the ball, arriving at 3rd right when McCutchen was transferring the ball from glove to hand. It may been close and worth the risk, but it looked like Revere would out with an accurate throw. I agree, however, that Liddle's decisions have been less that impressive and without much intention and authority.

Went to the game tonight; here's some thoughts: 1. Willingham totally misread the ball and got a very late jump on the homer in the 1st. My seat was on the 3rd base line (close to the field) and just past 3rd base itself -- and I saw, in real time, the ball hit the wall and ricochet into the stands. Not a very athletic looking play by Hammer, reminding me of the Jose Conseco ricochet for a homer, though the sun was right in the Hammer's eyes. Point being though, is that even misreading the ball initially, he had a play on the ball and could have caught it... it didn't appear to be that difficult a play. 2. Diamond was effectively erratic, and really settled in nicely after the 1st inning jam. The bullpen looked the worst I've seen it all year. Duensing looked to be grooving pitches and not competing much. 3. The entire team appeared lazy and uninterested at the plate except Plouffe. 4. Thanks to Parker's analysis on Plouffe's swing, I paid special attention to his at bats, and noticed how steady his head was through his swing and how he kept on the ball for a very long time though his swing, shooting a single to the opposite field. He looks like a professional hitter now. Doumit and Morneau, on the other hand, looked overwhelmed at times. Morneau looks like the game is playing at a speed that is one click too fast for him... but I take this optimistically, that he's going to figure out how to make better ABs and be able to stay back in his swing while still being able to catch up to the fast ball. At this point it looks like he has to guess a little (off speed or fastball) pre-pitch instead of looking for pitch and reacting if you get something else. The same hitting woes go for Doumit. 5. Doumit is a horrible defensive player. Of course the following is to be expected, but many Pirates fans 'said' they were happy to be rid of him, getting on his weak ABs tonight and jeering especially loud on the double steel. This was already after the pirates took a bag on Doumit earlier. I couldn't believe how many pitches he mishandled. Balls just jumped out of his mit at times. 6. It was hot and we lost but I had a great time getting my first glimpse of Diamond. I'm planning on going to the next two games as well. 7. I hope Bert circled me 8. PNC park is still the most beautiful ballpark (that I've been to).

This is considered Diamond's rookie season, correct? If that is so, he's got to be leading the rookie of the year award, no?

Not a good effort at the plate tonight. Seems like we have this sort of game at least once a week.

Noticed that Mauer was steeling the catchers signs and indicating that change up to Willingham. The catcher noticed this and went to a secondary set of signs, using the mask, shin guard and chest protector to call the slider that struck Willingham out. Love picking up on little stuff like that...

Just noticed that San Diego now has the worst run differential in the MLB, supplanting the Twins. Moving on up! We'll, that depends upon if and how badly we get beat tonight.

Looks like we are taking good pitches, getting behind, and swinging at pitchers' pitches.

No standing ovation for Thome tonight? Hmmm...

My goodness, Plouffe has really figured it out. Don't stop now!

Ironic that our pitching has not benefitted from this datum.