a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are all-in as they chase the franchises first playoff appearance in 21 years. Pittsburgh traded for longtime Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau on Saturday, hoping the four-time All Star can give the Pirates middling offence a jolt heading into the final month of the season. "We felt that this move gives us a better chance to play in October, a better chance to win the division, a better chance to advance in October," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. The Twins obtained outfielder Alex Presley and either a player to be named or cash in Pittsburghs second major move in a week. The Pirates sent a pair of minor leaguers to the New York Mets on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck. "Weve got more depth, weve got more options than we had four days ago," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "Were a better team. Were a stronger team." Pittsburgh entered Saturday tied with St. Louis atop the NL Central with 29 games remaining. The Pirates have been in contention all season thanks in large part to a pitching staff currently second in the majors with a 3.17 ERA. Morneaus presence could have an immediate impact on an offence that ranks 10th in the NL in runs. The 32-year-old New Westminster, B.C., native hit .259 with 17 homers and 74 RBIs this season for Minnesota and is finishing off a red-hot month in which he smacked nine home runs. "I think hes found some ways to spark some things offensively in the second half," Hurdle said. The Pirates will pick up the remaining portion of Morneaus $14 million salary, estimated at around $2 million. Its not an insignificant investment for an ownership group that has sometimes shied away from paying the tab for proven players. Yet with Pittsburgh on the cusp of its first winning season since 1992, Huntington worked aggressively after the non-waiver trade deadline to give the Pirates the pieces they need to remain in a tight three-team divisional race with St. Louis and Cincinnati. "We made Clints job a little bit easier," Huntington said. "Hes got a number of weapons at his disposal now." While Huntington believes hell be "mocked" for thinking the Pirates are true World Series contenders, he and Hurdle made a compelling case to Morneau, who had to OK the trade that ends a sometimes spectacular 11 seasons in Minnesota. Morneau won the 2006 AL MVP award and was one of the best hitters in the game until a concussion knocked him out of action in 2010. Still, he remained one of the cornerstones of the Twins clubhouse. His departure is another emotional low point in a disappointing season. "I have great respect for Morny," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was our leader. He set the table. If there was something that needed to be said, he stepped up." While Morneaus numbers have tailed off the last three years, his power should play better at PNC Park compared to cavernous Target Field. Its just 320 feet from home plate to the right-field wall at PNC, an inviting target for left-handed sluggers. The Pirates had Morneaus No. 36 jersey ready minutes after the trade was announced and Hurdle held out hope Morneau would make it to the clubhouse in time for Saturday nights game against the Cardinals. Whenever Morneau arrives, hell give a club reaching heights not seen in a generation another proven bat and more than an ounce of legitimacy. And hell do it while taking away at-bats from longtime friend Garrett Jones. Jones has spent most of the season platooning with Gaby Sanchez at first and broke out of a lengthy slump by going 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in Pittsburghs 5-0 win over the Cardinals on Friday. Now hell likely be moved to the bench or spot duty in the outfield. Playing behind Morneau is nothing new for Jones. He was a prospect in Minnesotas farm system for years but couldnt break into the majors on a regular basis with Morneau entrenched at first. Jones called Morneau "a friend" and understands why the Pirates pursued him. Until Friday, Jones was hitting just .119 in August. "When were winning and we know we can get a good player, sometimes youve got to suck it up and know whats best for the team," Jones said. "Hopefully I can still continue to get in there and play and contribute." Donald Penn Jersey .com) - Manu Ginobili capped off a 26-point night with a go-ahead layup with 24 seconds left in overtime, with the basket giving the San Antonio Spurs a much-needed 95-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Jalen Richard Jersey . Rookie Christian Vazquez got his first three major league hits and drove in three runs, while David Ortiz had three RBIs to break open the game in the sixth inning and lead Boston over the Houston Astros 8-3. http://www.officialoaklandraidersfootball.com/authentic-al-davis-jersey-womens . In a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night, Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife, younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field. Doug Martin Jersey . Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg. Marshawn Lynch Jersey . -- The Denver Broncos locked up a shutdown cornerback, only his name wasnt Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.When speaking with Mauro Biello shortly after the clubs 1-1 tie in Philadelphia on March 29, the Impact assistant looked at the result as a point gained and not a case of another two lost. The same cant be said of last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium against a very weakened New York Red Bulls side and one which had three stalwarts in Henry, Cahill and Olave back home in Harrison, NJ. With confidence and belief at the lowest of ebbs with barely five minutes on the board the Impact could not have asked for the better start as Felipe threaded the ball perfectly into the space Romero was running into. You could almost feel the relief on the Impact bench as Romero intricately placed his shot just inside the far post. Dominating the possession early on and carving out opportunity seemingly with ease - this was a Red Bulls team that was certainly there for the taking. However, come the final whistle, the post-match discussion yet again was dominated by the Impacts inability to defend effectively. It is the basic and elementary aspects of the craft which have been their unravelling. We saw glimpses of this through the pre-season and alarmingly the trend has been allowed to continue as the season has progressed. How much longer the team can afford to set themselves up in a loose fitting 4-2-3-1 system remains to be seen. Saturday afternoon at Olympic Stadium, and just like 2012s maiden MLS season, the Impact will go into a sixth match of the season still in search of their first victory of the season. With this as the backdrop a match against the Chicago Fire could not have come at a worse time for Frank Klopas as his old club come into Montreal in search of its initial victory this term too. His successor at the Fire - Frank Yallop - spoke in glowing terms during the week about the man he replaced. "I know Frank well, playing against him, coaching against him and socially. Hes a good guy." Klopass Chicago football roots go all the way back to 1983 when he played with the NASLs Chicago Sting. It was during this time Klopas got to visit, and play in Montreal. A city he continued to visit through intervening years during Christmas shopping trips with his wife. Familiarity with Montreal also extends itself through Fire ownership. Club president Andrew Hauptman is married to Charles Bronfmans daughter Ellen. The original Expos owneer was special guest of honour at Olympic Stadium when the Impact played the Fire in front of close to 59,000 during the clubs home debut in MLS back on Mar.dddddddddddd. 17, 2012. With the Impact buoyed McInerneys paperwork has now been sorted out the Fire counter this with news Mike Magee has signed a new deal. Reports yesterday indicated that the league MVP and Golden Boot recipient native had doubled his salary. News coming on the very same day the MLS Players Union released 2014 salary figures. Magee missed the two opening games of the season due to a hamstring recurrence. But just like Marco Di Vaio before him, opened his 2014 account against the Philadelphia Union when the 29-year old Chicago native opened the scoring in last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Toyota Park. Impact players and coaches this week appeared to sound a collective sigh of relief now McInerey had joined their ranks. Di Vaio going as far to say he had the soccer goods that would not look out of order in Europe. Klopas didnt hesitate when asked if the two could play together. Lets see, and in what context. Someone likely missing from the starting XI will be Hernan Bernadello - who was substituted late on against the Red Bulls after landing awkwardly. The 27-year old made his club debut against the Fire last August but due to an ankle injury only managed to feature in eight matches in 2013. Bernier who didnt look at all out of sorts when he came on to replace the DP likely could be inserted into tomorrows line up. The club captain played and scored during the Impacts reserve team outing at Olympic Stadium last Sunday. Tomorrow at Olympic Stadium the Impact go into the match on the back of a solitary victory in their last 13 league matches. Patience will be worn mighty thin though if come 6pm Saturday that number extends itself to 14. It would most certainly sour the planned chance for the two Franks to share a post-game bottle of wine. Ominously on the two previous occasions, the Chicago Fire has played against a former coach they have come out on the winning side each time. Both wins secured on the road. You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter Montreal Impact vs. Chicago Fire live on TSN Radio 690 [TSN690.ca] Saturday. Kick Off at 4pm - Rick Moffat [@RickMoffat] and Grant Needham [@GrantNeedham] with your call. 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