Pirates watch: Morneau, Liriano riding playoff push in Pittsburgh

If you can't beat them anyone, join them the Pirates.

That's how Twins fans should be thinking as another torturous 90 loss season for the Twins comes to a end.

The Pirates' best pitcher most of the season has been Francisco Liriano. Their new first baseman is a man that Minnesotans will likely love and cherish forever -- Justin Morneau.

While Liriano has posted a 16-7 record with a 2.88 earned-run average , it was Morneau who fired a perfect 60-foot relay throw to the plate to help the Pirates clinch a playoff berth for the first time in 21 years.

Here's how Morneau described the play, according to the Pittsburgh Press-Review:

“Not too often is there going to be a play at home on that kind of ball. I stay at first and try to keep (the batter) at first and drift toward the middle once I see something different happen. Then saw it kick away ... I go back to the instincts. Something told me to go there.”

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the Star Tribune that he's happy for Morneau, "to say the least."

Pittsburgh has clinched a Wild Card spot, but they still have an outside chance to run down the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals.