LOS ANGELES -- In the Pittsburgh Baseball Club's first 120 years, they might never have had a team that strikes out as often as this one.

Which is similar to what they were saying last year.

The Pirates are on pace, for a second consecutive season, to break the franchise record for strikeouts. The mark set in 2006 was 1,200, and the current group, which had six more last night for 129 through 16 games, is projected to finish with a staggering 1,306.

If things get worse, they could challenge Major League Baseball's record of 1,399, set by the 2001 Milwaukee Brewers.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Saturday's results INDIANAPOLIS (10-4) lost to Richmond, 2-1. RHP John Van Benschoten (0-2, 4.05) allowed one run and four hits in five-plus innings. He struck out four and walked two. RHP Dan Kolb (0.00) pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one. C Ryan Doumit (.465) went 1 for 2 with a walk and a hit batsman. ALTOONA (6-6) beat Harrisburg, 7-1. RHP Alay Soler (1-0, 1.80) pitched five scoreless innings. He did not give up a hit but walked four. LHP Dave Davidson (2.57) pitched two perfect innings of relief. 3B Neil Walker (.304) had a big night to accompany his bobblehead giveaway, going 3 for 4 with a double, triple and two runs. CF Andrew McCutchen (.132) went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. LYNCHBURG (5-7) lost to Salem, 12-4. LHP Brian Holliday (0-0, 1.59) allowed one run in five innings. RHP Pat Bresnahan (6.00) gave up five runs in one-third of an inning of relief. 1B Steve Pearce (.256) hit his third home run, a three-run shot, and went 1 for 2 with a walk and four RBIs. HICKORY (7-6) lost at West Virginia, 11-6. LHP Mike Felix (0-2, 12.38) allowed eight runs, five earned, in two-plus innings. DH Jared Keel (.368) went 3 for 3 with a double, triple and two RBIs. 3B Eddie Prasch (.263) hit his first home run.

Is the trend surprising or alarming to the Pirates?

"There are different reasons for it," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "In some cases, with a player like Jose Bautista, there's inexperience. In some cases, there's a track record. With someone like Jason Bay, for example, he's always had some strikeouts to go with power and a high on-base percentage. But when it's Freddy Sanchez striking out four times in a game, I'd certainly classify that as surprising."

He expressed optimism that, as a whole, the situation will improve.

"It's something we're working hard to address, as quickly as possible, with the hitting coach, the manager and the players. We've got to realize that you've got to put that ball in play."

Jeff Manto has been the hitting coach the past two seasons.

Littlefield also stressed that the recent flurry of strikeouts can be attributed, in part, to the Pirates' starting pitchers digging early deficits and allowing their counterparts to get comfortable.

"They're both concerns, but we've got to have the starters keeping the run totals down," he said.

More on the strikeouts:

The Pirates' average of 8.1 per game is second-highest in the National League. Only the Florida Marlins' 8.2 is higher.

Twenty-eight percent of the strikeouts came with the batter looking.

Making matters worse, the Pirates' hitters also, once again, are among the worst at drawing walks, their average of 2.69 per game the lowest in the league. Last year, their 2.83 figure was second-lowest.

Why not Doumit?

The obvious candidate to help the offense is catcher Ryan Doumit, who has been crushing the ball since being optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis April 7.

He is batting .465 with three home runs and 15 RBIs, the latter leading the International League. He has eight walks, too, a sign he has taken seriously the Pirates' plea to show better discipline.

Littlefield said he is pleased with Doumit, but he did not signal that a recall is imminent.

"He continues to show he's a good hitter and has an intriguing bat," Littlefield said. "But, you know, the main emphasis of his going down there was to get some reps and continue to work on his catching skills. With the injuries he's had and the lack of playing time, it's something we think is important to his development."

Buried treasure

Another possible solution: The only position player on the roster who has yet to make a start is Nate McLouth, who is 5 for 12 coming off the bench.

Reliever John Grabow, making his final rehabilitation appearance for Indianapolis, pitched two perfect innings last night against Richmond. In his first multiple-inning outing, he struck out two and threw 16 of 24 pitches for strikes. Grabow is expected to join the Pirates Tuesday for their homestand.

The Pirates will miss Roy Oswalt in the upcoming series with Houston. The Astros' starters: Woody Williams, Chris Sampson and Wandy Rodriguez.

Catcher Ronny Paulino, lugging a .196 average into the game last night, was dropped to eighth in the order for the first time this season.