Playing like it matters

Al at and another thing! was at the game today and blogged this remark:

Mike said, and I agree, that the Pirates were playing this game like it was a September pennant-race game. They did a double-switch; replaced a pinch-hitter (Ruben Mateo) before he batted; and no fewer than four of their players played two positions, including Jason Bay, who didn't come into the game until the seventh.

Damn straight. It sucks to lose, but when you are trying to avoid your twelfth straight losing season, every game better be this important all year long.