SARASOTA, Fla. -- Tom Gorzelanny struggled early and John Grabow struggled late yesterday.

The result for the Pirates was a 9-8 loss to Cincinnati.

Gorzelanny allowed six hits and four runs in the first inning, while Grabow, pitching to protect an 8-6 lead, yielded three runs in the eighth inning. Juan Castro provided two of those with a pinch-hit home run on a 1-2 pitch.

"The first inning there was just a little too much adrenaline going," Gorzelanny said after his first spring start. "I felt good, but things didn't work out."

Gorzelanny, who did not walk a batter, threw 35 of his 60 pitches in that first inning, then needed only 25 to negotiate his final two innings.

"In the first inning, he wasn't making [good] two-strike pitches," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "The next two innings were terrific."

Grabow battled command of his fastball in his inning.

"That command isn't there right now -- which is understandable," Tracy said. "But it will be."

On a mission

Marty McLeary pitched the fourth and fifth innings, allowing a run.

McLeary, who impressed the Pirates with his work for Class AAA Indianapolis and in a short stint with them in September, nominally is in the fight for the fifth starter's spot.

However, it's more likely he could wind up as the long man in the bullpen.

A right-hander, McLeary, 32, could be used early in games when a left-handed starter falters. That means he would face a mostly right-handed lineup.

"When Tom got in trouble in the first inning, my heart began to race," McLeary said. "If I'm a long man, that's a situation I'd be in."

"He was very, very good [yesterday]," Tracy said. "But he's been that way pretty much all spring. He's a very focused individual right now. Sometimes people put themselves on a mission, and it seems to me he's on one."

Still looking good

Mt. Lebanon's Don Kelly continues to get a long look by the Pirates. He started at second base yesterday, then shifted to third base late. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and is 8 for 27 (.296) this spring.

Interested observer

Dave Concepcion, the former Cincinnati shortstop who's in the Reds' camp as a special instructor, has interest in fellow Venezuelan Jose Castillo's progress this spring.

"When I saw him [last season], he was a little bit overweight," Concepcion said. "I liked him at third base because he was bigger. I guess he's lost some weight, so he can play second base again.

"He's a good ballplayer. He has good hands. But the best thing he has is the bat. He's a good hitter."

Concepcion watched Castillo closely in the Venezuelan Winter League, where the Pirates' infielder hit .308 with 40 RBIs in 46 games.

"In winter ball, his bat speed was good," Concepcion said. "If he keeps that, he's going to have a good year again."

Good outing

Brad Eldred's spring debut in the outfield went well Saturday.

He caught the only fly ball hit into his territory -- a drive into right-center field.

"He got a good jump on the ball," said Bill Virdon, the Pirates' spring training outfield instructor. "I thought he did a good job. You can't tell by one day -- he's going to get fooled by the speed of the ball at the major-league level -- but I'm pleased with how he did."

The Pirates are trying Eldred in the outfield so he can add a position to his resume, which currently lists only first base at the major-league level. He did play some outfield in college at Florida International.

"That helps," Virdon said. "He's got an idea going in. And I like that he listens and that he tries."

Eldred didn't start yesterday, but he played first base and right field in the late innings.

Cuts expected

The Pirates have 59 players in major-league camp, but that number probably will drop today. Roster cuts are expected today because tomorrow's an off day.

Today's game

The Pirates play Cleveland at 1:05 p.m. today at McKechnie Field. Tony Armas Jr. is scheduled to start for the Pirates against left-hander Jeremy Sowers. Shane Youman, Dan Kolb and John Wasdin also are scheduled to work for the Pirates.