HOUSTON -- If Chris Duffy is deemed healthy enough to rejoin the Pirates' lineup this afternoon, he might take the field with a glove on one hand and a bottle of water in the other.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Friday's results INDIANAPOLIS (67-54) won at Durham, 8-5, in 10 innings. RHP Chris Enochs (6.05) allowed five runs in five innings. RHP Mark Corey (3.36) recorded his 23rd save. 1B Yurendell DeCaster (.298) went 3 for 5 with three doubles, an RBI and his seventh stolen base. 3B Bobby Hill (.278) went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. ALTOONA (63-55) won at Reading, 6-5. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (6-5, 3.56) allowed five runs in six innings. LF Howie Clark (.387) was 4 for 4. 1B Josh Bonifay (.290) hit his 23rd home run, C Carlos Maldonado (.276) his sixth. LYNCHBURG (67-52) beat Kinston, 8-4. LHP Derrick Van Dusen (8-5, 4.47) allowed four runs, three earned, in 62/3 innings. 1B Pat Magness (.308) hit his 16th home run, C Mike McCuistion (.279) his seventh. HICKORY (48-64) won at Lake County, 14-13. RHP Derek Hankins (4.48) allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, in 31/3 innings. LF Anthony Bocchino (.277) went 3 for 5 with his 10th home run, two doubles and four RBIs. C Neil Walker (.293) went 3 for 6 with two RBIs and committed his 19th passed ball. WILLIAMSPORT (29-22) beat Jamestown, 10-5. RHP Luis Munoz (3.05) allowed one run in six innings. CF Brad Corley (.238) hit his third home run, a grand slam. BRADENTON (24-19) lost to the Red Sox, 8-2. RHP Basilio Alvarez (1-1, 8.10) allowed six runs in 32/3 innings. CF Andrew McCutchen (.287) went 3 for 5 with his first professional home run.

The team revealed yesterday that Duffy's episode of dehydration 10 days ago at PNC Park was severe enough that he needed to be taken to Allegheny General Hospital to receive three liters of intravenous fluids, roughly double the amount typically used in such situations.

Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon was advised by doctors that a relapse could be "life-threatening," in McClendon's words, and Duffy was placed under strict orders to consume water and electrolytes regularly to replenish his system.

"I'm carrying water all the time now," Duffy said yesterday. "It's kind of a lesson learned. When it's hot, I have to drink even when I'm not thirsty."

When the Pirates and San Diego Padres took the field for their afternoon game Aug. 4, it was 91 degrees in Pittsburgh. Duffy went 3 for 4 and slightly strained his hamstring legging out an infield single. He then showed dehydration symptoms and required treatment.

He was used as a pinch-hitter the next night, then started Aug. 6 and went 4 for 5 with three runs. In that game, his hamstring injury was aggravated, and that has kept him from starting the past six games.

"It's just one of those things you're going to have with young players," McClendon said. "That was a really hot day. He's got to understand how important it is to stay hydrated in a temperature like that."

The coaching staff put Duffy through extra rounds of batting, fielding and base-running the past two days to test his readiness. He was not formally cleared to resume starting, but McClendon indicated he could do so today.

Duffy said he pressed hard to start last night, mostly for the chance to face Roger Clemens.

"I might never get another chance," he said. "But I understand this is more important."

North Side notches

General manager Dave Littlefield said the Pirates will make "a few" September recalls but did not divulge specifics. He did say he would not be adverse to promoting a player who is not currently on the 40-man roster. "We purchased Zach Duke's contract," he said. "We want good players. We'll take anyone we think can benefit and is part of our future." Two prime candidates appear to be starter Bryan Bullington of Class AAA Indianapolis and third baseman Jose Bautista of Class AA Altoona. Bullington would need to be added to the 40-man roster.

Reliever Mike Gonzalez made his second rehabilitation appearance with Class AAA Indianapolis and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss at Norfolk. He struck out four and did not give up a hit or walk.

First baseman Daryle Ward showed some improvement after having fluid drained from his left knee, but his status for today was uncertain.

Reliever Rick White has been scored upon in all five of his August appearances, giving up 11 runs, 10 earned, in 5 1/3 innings. It is his worst stretch of the season, but McClendon has found little fault with his work: "He's pitching OK. You look at the hits he's given up, and they've been finding holes or dropping in."

White's next appearance will be the 500th of his career.

Asked about Jose Castillo's mammoth home run Friday, his 10th of the season, McClendon offered a bold prediction for his second baseman's productivity in 2006: "You can forget he's only 24 and this is his second season. This is a guy who's going to have better results. I look next year for those numbers to double. It's going to be 20 home runs, 70 or 80 RBIs."

In their next series, against the New York Mets, the Pirates will face Kris Benson, Tom Glavine and Victor Zambrano. They missed Benson when the teams met in Pittsburgh last month and will oppose him for the second time since trading him last year. They beat Benson and the Mets, 6-1, Sept. 19 at PNC Park.