CINCINNATI -- The Pirates and Clear Channel's WPGB-FM (104.7) expect to announce Tuesday an agreement that will put Pirates games on an FM station beginning next season.

That will end the Pirates' 51-season history with KDKA-AM, which became the team's official flagship station in 1955.

	Minor-league report Friday's result ALTOONA beat Akron, 4-1, in the third game of the Eastern League playoff semifinal. Akron leads the best-of-five series, 2-1. RHP Landon Jacobsen (1-0, 1.50) allowed one run and six hits in six-plus innings. He struck out two and walked one. RF Ray Sadler (.250) hit a two-run home run. DH Neil Walker (.417) went 2 for 4 with an RBI single. 2B Javier Guzman (.462) went 2 for 3 with a walk and two steals. CF Andrew McCutchen (.154) went 0 for 3 with a walk.

Officials from the Pirates and Clear Channel aren't commenting on the deal, which could result in a younger audience for the team.

Negotiations between the Pirates and the radio stations continued throughout the spring and summer. It became very certain at least three weeks ago that the Pirates would move from KDKA.

Tuesday, that will become official.

Nigeria inspired Youman

Shane Youman learned Thursday in Chicago that he'd make his major-league debut tomorrow in Cincinnati, and his thoughts immediately turned to New Iberia, La.

And Nigeria.

Youman, born and raised in New Iberia in south central Louisiana, visited Nigeria in January. He credits that trip with giving him a more focused perspective on himself and his career.

"I met a side of my family I had never seen in my life," said Youman, whose father and grandmother are from Nigeria. "We stayed in the village living the rough life while I was there. It was an eye-opening experience.

"They live a rough life, but they stick together through whatever and they make it however they can. They're very, very, very religious. Just getting to see how they live and how they make it helped me to stay humble and realize I have a chance to do things that a lot of people can't do."

Youman, a left-hander, turned that experience into the best season of his five in the Pirates' organization.

He became primarily a starter for the first time. In his 18 starts split with Class AA Altoona (11) and Class AAA Indianapolis (7), he was 9-1 with a 2.28 earned run average.

The Pirates brought him up from Indianapolis Wednesday. The next day, he learned he'd get the start tomorrow in Cincinnati.

His first thought?

"Man, I'm starting in the big leagues -- my major-league debut," Youman said. "I automatically thought about my family in New Iberia and thinking about a way to get them here. It's mandatory that they make it to this. There's only one time it happens."

Youman, the Pirates' 43rd-round pick in the 2001 draft out of Louisiana State University, said he's arranged for eight members of his family and some friends to fly here for his debut.

Youman wishes he could afford to fly more people here.

"Every year when I go home, it's like the whole town of New Iberia asks, 'Man, when are you going to be in the big leagues?' " Youman said. "I say, 'I don't know, man. It takes time.'

"Now they know, and I've been getting phone calls from everywhere with people congratulating me."

Gorzelanny getting closer

Tom Gorzelanny, out because of tendinitis in his left elbow, threw 60 pitches off a mound Thursday in Chicago and is scheduled to throw 80 pitches in a bullpen session Monday that will simulate a real game.

"Then we'll see where we are," Gorzelanny said. "Hopefully, the next time I throw [after Monday] will be in a game."

That could be in one of the three games against the New York Mets next weekend at PNC Park, although manager Jim Tracy wouldn't confirm that.

"He's getting closer," Tracy said.

Gonzalez will be eased back

Closer Mike Gonzalez, also out with left elbow tendinitis, is throwing long-toss every couple of days and wants to be able to throw off a mound within the next several days.

"I want to be back out there as soon as I can," Gonzalez said. "If it was up to me, one bullpen [session] and I'd be back [in a game]. I just want to go into the offseason with the peace of mind that everything's fine."

Tracy indicated that when Gonzalez does return it won't be in a closing situation.

"It won't be in the ninth inning," Tracy said. "We'll ease him back into that. We'll find a situation leading to the ninth inning to let him check himself out."