I actually think David Murphy is RETURNING to the norm for him. Before last year, he was maturing into the ability to hit .300 with pop against right handed pitchers.

Santana - it's pretty obvious to me that, whether he volunteered or not, 3B is in his head. Put him back at DH/1B now that Chisenhall is killing. Santana was only moved there because Chisenhall didn't seem to be the answer. From what I can tell, he is a better 1B than Swisher anyways.

But Chisenhall is worse than ever as a 3B, 5 errors, nearly one per start. Maybe he should be the 1b/dh. Santana has proved he can play 3rd, he can relax about that role and just think about hitting.

Hamilton's call of the balk:

http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/artic ... d_16516168

Wow, the fielding follies from yesterday's game are continuing in tonight's.

Just bizarre, on both sides.

...............

More excellent bullpen work, 8 more innings worked with only 1 earned run.

They didn't use Shaw so he's available tonight. Lowe and Carrasco are the only others not to have worked both nights and Carrasco threw over 50 pitches on Wednesday. They'd like a deep bullpen behind a starter making his major league first start, and House hasn't usually gone very deep into games even on his good nights.

Another roster move today? Someone who had the night off in Columbus would have to be the one to get the call. And not sure who can be sent down from the pen who has an option available.

I honestly think the last two games may well have rescued the season. Back to back "refuse to lose" games, coupled with the Tigers losing, and we are back in the race now.

But they have to stop playing defense like the Bad News Bears!

Possibly but if Carrasco is going to be our "long" man he needs to be able to throw 2-3 "good" innings at least.

Lowe and Carrasco are the only others not to have worked both nights and Carrasco threw over 50 pitches on Wednesday.

But doesn't Carrasco get serious consideration for McAllister's slot? That could complicate things - tonight's start may settle a lot of questions.

PS - the fact that Carrasco was starting recently would make 50 pitches not all that much. If he is not going to start in McAllister's spot, I think he would be usable tonight.

But Chisenhall is worse than ever as a 3B, 5 errors, nearly one per start

Understood. But:

1. He was better than that last year, although not ideal by any means

2. More importantly, if playing 3B is getting into Santana's "hitting head", then it's worth it getting him off 3B. If/when Santana returns to statistical norm, a huge barrage is coming.

You're right about Santana for sure, and about Chisenhall's past. I don't to mess up his strong offense -- there does seem to a real problem here in both playing third and hitting well. Sort of like walking and chewing gum.

LOL Giambi, I have to admit it's hard not to like him. 3-run opposite field. Just made it out but it still counts.

Let's face it, they pretty much had to tank this game and use non-essential pitchers in doing it.

It was worth it.

OK, Chisenhall on fire. Santana NOW hitting when moved off 3B.

Case closed on this one.