In the latest development of a Disney-ish tale, Jason Lane made his return to the major leagues today, this time as a pitcher. The last time Lane saw time in the majors, he was an outfielder with the 2007 Padres team.
Lane got the call earlier in the day and didn't take long to make his official return to action. He entered the game in relief of Jesse Hahn -- who was making his major league debut -- with two outs and two on in the fourth inning, and struck out Neil Walker to end the inning. Lane came back out for the fifth inning and put the Pirates down in order. The sixth inning brought more of the same, and Lane even made a good play on a ball hit up the middle by Travis Snider.
Bud Black let Lane hit for himself to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, but he flew out to right. That's an extra value he brings to the club; with most pitchers a manager would have had to burn two players in that situation.
Even though he didn't get on base, Lane made Black look smart for keeping him in by retiring the side yet again in the top of the seventh inning. In case you weren't keeping track, that's ten up, ten down.
He was lifted for pinch hitter Carlos Quentin in the eighth inning and took a seat on the bench with a career WHIP and ERA of 0.00.