Top of the 8th

T.J. Beam, all 6-foot-7 of him, is the new Pirate pitcher.

I guess if your last name is Beam you should be tall. Wouldn't you rather have a six-foot beam than a five-foot beam? I would.

Then again, I don't like "Centerfield," so what do I know?

A name like Beam should help T.J.'s chances of making the club - seriously, how can you build a bridge to a closer without a beam?

(I can go all day, folks.)

You know what will also help Beam's chances? Holding a lead. He can't do that today, however, as he walks Jayson Werth - who steals second - and allows Greg Dobbs' RBI single.

We're tied at 4.