Peter Diana, Post-Gazette The Pirates wore the No. 42 last night, honoring Jackie Robinson against the Reds at PNC Park.

By Dejan Kovacevic
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Pirates' unquestioned preference is for Salomon Torres to be their closer.

If he overcomes his recent struggles, as manager Jim Tracy made clear on the day Torres recorded a shaky seventh save, that makes for a bullpen with a reliable veteran in the anchor role, a young but highly dependable setup man in Matt Capps, and another youngster capable of late-inning work in Jonah Bayliss. With Shawn Chacon maybe working his way into the mix, too.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Friday's results INDIANAPOLIS (11-8) lost at Ottawa, 2-1. RHP John Van Benschoten (0-2, 3.05) pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings, allowing three hits. He struck out seven, walked none, retired 16 batters in a row at one point, and threw 57 of 86 pitches for strikes. Van Benschoten (.400) also went 2 for 3 at the plate. RHP Kevin Gryboski (1-1, 2.61) had a 1-0 lead entering the ninth, but allowed Ottawa to score twice. 1B Yurendell DeCaster (.345) went 2 for 3 with a walk. ALTOONA (8-10) lost at Binghamton, 2-1. LHP Josh Shortslef (0-3, 3.86) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. 3B Neil Walker (.277) went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk and committed his seventh error. CF Andrew McCutchen (.185) went 0 for 4 with a strikeout. LYNCHBURG (8-9) won at Myrtle Beach, 4-3. RHP Todd Redmond (1-2, 4.74) allowed one run in five innings. 1B Steve Pearce (.318) saw his home run streak end at five games but went 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs. Pearce's eight home runs, six of which came during the streak, are second-most in all of minor-league baseball. HICKORY (8-11) won at Greensboro, 6-5. RHP Jared Hughes (2-1, 3.92) allowed two runs in five innings. DH Jonel Pacheco (.284) hit his fourth, fifth and sixth home runs -- all solo shots -- in four at-bats. CF James Boone (.333) hit his second and third home runs -- also solo shots -- in five at-bats.

"It has the makings of something very special," Tracy said.

Which might best explain why Tracy is sticking by Torres despite three blown saves in 10 chances and an average of 1.9 walks and hits per inning that is third-highest among National League relievers.

At the same time, Tracy continues to qualify his support. And that might be because he is aware he has other, potentially attractive options.

"If things continue to spiral downward, you've got to look at the situation and see if there's a difference course of action we can take," Tracy said. "But we're not to that point. And I don't want to make it seem like I'm suggesting that that's where we're headed. Not today we're not."

Capps is the clear choice to replace Torres if it comes to that. He has swing-and-miss stuff and some of the best command in all of Major League Baseball. But Tracy stressed caution with Capps, 23, who is in his second full season.

"We've got to give ample time for a guy to say, 'Hey, that's my job,' or to force your hand," Tracy said. "And we've got to bear in mind that this guy who has been so successful the past couple seasons had pitched in all of four major-league games prior to 2006."

Capps and Bayliss are standing firmly behind Torres, but each also allows that he would welcome the opportunity to close someday.

Capps had 21 saves in his final season in the minors, 21 total for Class A Hickory and Class AA Altoona. Bayliss had 23 last season for Class AAA Indianapolis.

"Most guys in the bullpen, that's the role they eventually want," Capps said. "I feel like Salomon's done a good job. But, if that opportunity comes up, it's something I'll embrace."

"There's a real rush to it, something I feed off," Bayliss said. "It's something I'd love to do in the majors. But it's not even in my vision right now."

It also should not be forgotten that Chacon, another of the Pirates' best relievers so far, had 35 saves for the Colorado Rockies in 2004.

Nady out for weekend?

Outfielder Xavier Nady, still slowed by a strained left hamstring, did not return to the starting lineup last night, as had been the most optimistic projection. Tracy said he will be limited to bench duty for "a couple more days."

Nady did his first serious running yesterday, and his recent strength tests have been "very good," Tracy said.

Buried treasure

Ryan Doumit was shagging flies in right field before the game and could start there tonight against Cincinnati right-hander Matt Belisle. A catcher by trade, he spent almost all winter in the outfield in Mexico. "We're going to get him involved there," Tracy said.

Carlos Maldonado spent last September with the Pirates, but has fallen far: He was demoted yesterday from Indianapolis to Altoona, and this after disappointing management by reporting to spring training overweight. Einar Diaz and Milver Reyes are Indianapolis' catchers now.

Utilityman Don Kelly will throw out the first pitch for Brighton Heights' Little League opener at 12:25 p.m. today. The league's field was renovated by the Pirates and 84 Lumber in the offseason.