Pirates’ lineup: 1. Nate McLouth CF. 2. Freddy Sanchez 2B. 3. Ryan Doumit C. 4. Adam LaRoche 1B. 5. Jason Michaels LF. 6. Steve Pearce RF. 7. Andy LaRoche 3B. 8. Luis Cruz SS. 9. Barthmaier.

Padres’ lineup: 1. Will Venable CF. 2. Luis Rodriguez SS. 3. Brian Giles RF. 4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B. 5. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B. 6. Chase Headley LF. 7. Edgar Gonzalez 2B. 8. Nick Hundley C. 9. Young.

I asked Russell why the team had not followed through on its stated plan to bounce Luis Cruz around the diamond, and he answered that injuries dictate Cruz play shortstop. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Brian Bixler.

Well, Bix ain’t showed much, has he?

Yep, no need to have a guy that can launch a ball like that on this team.

even swing the bat?

ERA back under 17!

3-1.

continuing to pile up useless RBI for arbitration time.

….it’s gonna get ugly.

….gets the ERA down to 10.45.

…another hit. I can see why Russell hates this guy. He can hit. We don’t want that.

Looking more and more like he can handle SS everyday.

…are hit hard.

If Russell pushes Pearce out of the picture in Pittsburgh, he’ll turn up elsewhere and hit 35 dingers. I honestly don’t care if he Ks 150 times. If he can hit 35 – 40 doubles and 30+ home runs he can play for my team.