Neil Walker, one of the key players in the Pirates' 11-5 comeback victory over the San Diego Padres Sunday, has some praise for the other key player, shortstop Clint Barmes, whose grand slam in the fourth gave the Pirates the lead.
↵↵↵"I honestly could not have been happier for a person on this entire team. Fans want to give him crap about what the numbers are, but ... this is one of the best teammates I've ever played with and a guy who's helped me out a lot (with) his positive attitude and the way he plays the game and grinding it out."
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When you're having a year as terrible as the one Barmes has had, intangibles only count for so much. The Pirates have been giving away outs all season with Barmes and his .242 on-base percentage in the lineup, even if Barmes has taken some of those back with his strong defense. But it's nice to see that there's a bond between the Bucs' two starting middle infielders.
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