The Pirates have floated the idea of going to a six-man starting rotation in September in order to protect their young starters' arms.

		MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Wednesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (74-64) was rained out at Norfolk. ALTOONA (75-60) beat Akron, 4-2, to clinch its fourth consecutive Eastern League playoff berth. RHP Wardell Starling (6-4, 2.68) allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. DH Neil Walker (.176) came off the 15-day disabled list (sinus infection) and went 0 for 4. CF Andrew McCutchen (.312) went 0 for 4 and struck out three times. CF Nyjer Morgan (strained hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. LYNCHBURG (60-75) lost at Frederick, 7-6. LHP Kyle Bloom (7-8, 4.30) allowed three runs in five innings. LF Mike Carlin (.275) and 2B Dan Schwartzbauer (.265) each went 3 for 5. Schwartzbauer had two doubles. HICKORY (65-69) lost to Lexington, 7-2. RHP Luis Valdez (7-8, 4.28) allowed four runs, one earned, in six innings. SS Cameron Blair (.243) went 2 for 3 with a walk. WILLIAMSPORT (26-41) lost to Auburn, 4-3. RHP Eric Krebs (0-1, 4.24) allowed two runs in three innings. 1B Kent Sakamoto (.243) went 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Florida Marlins are considering the same idea.

Detroit's Justin Verlander, in his first full professional season, sat out a start three weeks ago to rest his arm.

The Cleveland Indians probably will cut back rookie Jeremy Sowers' innings in September.

Seems as if these cutbacks happen increasingly more often in the major leagues.

"The biggest reason is that [young pitchers] never experienced the sixth month of the season at any point in their careers," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said.

Minor-league seasons, except for those teams involved in playoffs, usually end by Labor Day. That means pitching in September is a new experience for a bunch of pitchers.

"That takes a young player back a little bit," Tracy said. "But I think it's very important to ease people into that sixth month. From a progress standpoint, you're very hopeful that they understand not only the month of September but also realize, 'Hey, we'd like to be playing well into the month of October, too.'

"That's why they call this the big leagues. There are things you have to grow into and learn and understand at this level that you never, ever experience in the minor leagues."

Davis can accelerate

Center fielder Rajai Davis, who spent most of this year with Class AAA Indianapolis, will experience his first big-league September knowing he has his first major-league hit in the books.

Davis Tuesday night lined a single that his speed turned into a double in the seventh inning off Carlos Zambrano.

"A wonderful feeling," Davis said. "I was thinking right out of the box -- 'two, two.' I'm definitely, definitely, definitely glad it's out of the way."

Davis, who stole 45 bases in 58 attempts for Indianapolis, has impressed the Pirates with his speed.

"He can get from home to second in a real hurry," Tracy said. "He's really fast. How fast is he? I don't know of a comparison to another player I can make. But [Tuesday] night when he made the turn at first base, I had the impression he was still accelerating. Wow!"

Wilson's status uncertain

Shortstop Jack Wilson, who hasn't started in a week because of an inner-ear infection, did some baseball activities before yesterday's game and had a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning. However, Wilson returning to the starting lineup tomorrow night in St. Louis is still iffy.

What makes it more likely that Wilson won't start tomorrow night is that he's 1 for 22 lifetime against scheduled Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter.

A Sharpless return

Outfielder Nate McLouth, out with a left-ankle injury since Aug. 11, probably won't be activated tomorrow when rosters can expand. However, reliever Josh Sharpless (ankle) probably will be.

It's unlikely the Pirates will bring up anybody else from Indianapolis until the Indians' season ends. There's a chance Indianapolis will be in the International League playoffs.

"The right thing to do is wait for their season to end," Tracy said. "You don't want to take bodies away from them. We have enough people here."

Reames clears waivers

Right-hander Britt Reames, designated for assignment by the Pirates Monday, yesterday cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Indianapolis.

Capps shoots for record

With his next appearance, which will be his 73rd, Matt Capps will break the Pirates' record for appearances by a rookie pitcher. Rich Loiselle made 72 in 1997.

"It will just be awesome," Capps said. "You only get one year and one opportunity to be a rookie. To have something to call your own -- a record like that -- would be great."

The National League rookie appearance record is 86, set by Arizona's Oscar Villarreal in 2003. The major-league record is 88, set by Detroit's Sean Runyan in 1998.