Pirates vs. Blue Jays, bottom of first

For Pirates starter Ian Snell, 2008 is more about performance than potential.
The 26-year-old right-hander improved in most categories last season, but his victory total dropped from 14 to nine. You can debate whether Snell or Gorzelanny is the staff ace, but the Pirates can't endure a stretch like Snell suffered through after the 2007 All-Star break (0-5, 8.31 ERA) and expect to move up in the standings.
The Blue Jays' second batter, Alex Rios, broke up the no-hitter with a double. Rolen is up with two outs.
This is an unbelievably gorgeous spring day and the Knology Park stands are nearly packed. Several miles to the east, Kentucky Derby candidates -- OK, one Derby candidate, Nick Zito-trained War Pass -- is set to take the Tampa Bay Derby this afternoon, probably at 1-10 odds.
We didn't know it at the time, but this great weather and cornucopia of sporting activity is what we moved here for -- or at least, why I never plan to leave.
Never say never, right? But it'll do for today.
Snell just opened the proverbial can of worms by walking Rolen on a 3-2 pitch, bringing up Frank Thomas with two on.
How's this statistic: Thomas is 2-for-24 for a robust .083 average. Now, he's 2-for-25 after popping to short center.
He's also 6-feet-5, 275 pounds. You send him down.