Morneau changes number

The Pirates try to secure their first winning season since 1992 tonight in Milwaukee.

Former Twin Francisco Liriano will start for the Pirates, and former Twin Justin Morneau will bat cleanup and wear a new number: 66.

I guessed that was a result of the intense hockey fan paying homage to Penguins great Mario Lemeiux. I was wrong.

``Nope," Morneau said. ``It's just 33 times two."

Morneau wore 33 during his prime with the Twins. Is 99 a possibility? ``Nope," he said. ``There's only one 99 for us Canadians."

He means Wayne Gretzky, of course.

``I wore 27 in '05," he said. ``And I wore 27 in the first World Baseball Classic because Larry Walker was there. in spring training in 2003, I wore 61."

Wednesday afternoon, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he plans to keep Morneau in the cleanup spot because of Morneau's experience, and experience in pennant races. ``He's been through this," Hurdle said.

Tuesday night, Morneau went 3-for-3 with a walk as the Pirates came back to beat the Brewers.

``That was needed," he said. ``You want to have good at-bats, but at the same time you want to have quality at-bats and have an impact. I think that was a good day for feeling like a part of the team. You're kind of jumping into somebody else's party. You want to feel like you contributed, that you're not just along for the ride."

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