Keith Srakocic, Associated Press Pitcher Victor Santos is vying with teammate Brandon Duckworth for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Click photo for larger image. Related articles Pirates' opinions vary on new steroids probe Pirates Notebook: One way to keep McLouth is 11-man staff Paul Meyer's Major League Notebook: Might as well go ahead and call Detroit 'Burgh Midwest Paul Meyer's Power Rankings: 3/31/06 Baseball 2006: An online reader poll Major League team by team capsules National League Central National League West National League East American League Central American League West American League East PG columnists on the Pirates Cook: Pirates' clipboard may read 73 wins Collier: Don't be surprised if Bonds is called out for steroid use Smizik: Sub-.500 flag will wave for Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Next?

The Pirates' fifth-starter duel fizzled in an emphatic way yesterday when neither Victor Santos nor Brandon Duckworth could reach the fifth inning in simultaneous starts on different diamonds.

Santos lasted 4 1/3 innings in the major-league team's 7-5 loss to Minnesota at McKechnie Field. The Twins tagged him for seven runs -- five earned -- on 12 hits, including a home run and four doubles.

Duckworth lasted one out longer in against the Cincinnati Reds' Class AAA affiliate at Pirate City, and he fared little better. The minor-league lineup scored five runs -- three earned -- on five hits and two walks.

Those performances couldn't have done much to crystallize management's outlook on a critical missing piece with four days left to the season opener. Nonetheless, general manager Dave Littlefield and his staff planned to meet on the matter last night, and the team is expected to name one of them the winner today.

It is possible that the loser will make the team as a long reliever, Littlefield and manager Jim Tracy said. There are two undeclared spots in the bullpen.

Littlefield has maintained all spring that the organization doesn't need to look to the outside for a starter, be it through a trade or other method.

Asked yesterday if the Pirates still felt that way, he replied, "Yeah, we do."

BASEBALL 2006

Wednesday: Jason Bay realizes he could be bigger in another city, but he doesn't believe he would be better Yesterday: Get inside the head of Jim Tracy for a glimpse of the strategies he will apply from the Pirates' dugout. Plus, take our quick quiz to see how closely your moves match those Tracy would make. Tomorrow: Paul Meyer's review of the Pirates' minor-league system. Plus, the Post-Gazette's annual ranking of the organization's top 10 prospects. Sunday: For years, the Pirates have been accused of having no plan. Is that the case? Why is it taking so long to win? Dejan Kovacevic examines the team's baseball operations from Panama to PNC Park. Plus, a position-by-position outlook, and the three reasons why the Pirates will -- or will not -- have a winning season. Monday: Oliver Perez will take the mound in Milwaukee for the opener, but which version of the Perez will the Pirates get? Plus, the team's game and broadcast schedules, along with our picks for the top events in Pittsburgh and across the majors.

All concerned downplayed the significance of yesterday.

"You take into account a lot of things," Littlefield said. "It's not about one outing."

"We're not going to base this decision on 4 2/3 innings or whatever," Tracy said. "You don't just look at today and say, 'He won.' "

That would be good news for Santos and Duckworth.

Santos looked strong in the first inning, throwing 12 of 14 pitches for strikes. But a Bradenton bloop landed in front of left fielder Jason Bay for a double, and Justin Morneau lined an RBI double to put the Twins up, 1-0.

Santos stayed in the zone the rest of the way -- he fanned five, and 48 of 67 pitches were strikes -- but Minnesota had little trouble making firm contact.

"I felt pretty good through the whole game," Santos said. "I threw a lot of quality strikes and, whenever I made a mistake, they took advantage."

Santos closed his spring 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA and, maybe most alarming, gave up 33 hits in 18 2/3 innings.

He was asked if he felt he proved his worth to management.

"Yeah. I've had some bad games. I've had some good games, too, so they saw the good and bad. That's just me. I'm going out there and throwing, whether I have it that day or not."

Duckworth labored through his 4 2/3 innings, walking three and running up a pitch count of 98. He struck out seven, though, continuing a spring-long trend. In Grapefruit League games, he is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

"I feel I've shown I can pitch at this level," Duckworth said. "I know I can pitch deep into games. I've done it before. And I feel I can pitch out of the bullpen, as well. My main thing was to come in here and show them I still have good stuff."