Perhaps no one on the Pirates' roster could benefit more than Ronny Paulino from the fresh-start feel that follows the All-Star break.

His average has plummeted from the .310 of his rookie year to .237 now, even after his first three-hit game of the season last night in the 7-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He has one home run in his past 50 games, he has four RBIs in the past six weeks, and his defense has, in the eyes of most observers, regressed.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Saturday's results INDIANAPOLIS (48-40) lost to Norfolk, 4-3. LHP Michael Tejera (3-1, 4.00) allowed two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one. RHP Josh Sharpless (3.32) pitched a perfect inning of relief. LF Michael Ryan (.257) hit his sixth home run, and went 2 for 4 with three RBIs. ALTOONA (42-43) lost at Bowie, 8-5. RHP Justin Vaclavik (2-6, 8.39) faced only two batters in his start and allowed two runs, one earned, on one hit. He exited because of a hyperextended left knee. CF Andrew McCutchen (.241) went 1 for 3 with an RBI. 3B Neil Walker (.297) went 1 for 4. LYNCHBURG (36-48) lost at Potomac, 4-0. RHP Derek Hankins (7-3, 4.71) allowed three runs in five innings. LF Jamie Romak (.258) went 1 for 4 with a steal. HICKORY (35-48) beat Greensboro, 5-4, in 12 innings. RHP Jared Hughes (7-6, 4.04) allowed three runs in eight innings. CF Alex Presley (.300) went 3 for 6 with three RBIs. His RBI bunt single in the bottom of the 12th capped a two-run rally. STATE COLLEGE (12-6) was postponed by rain at Vermont. BRADENTON (5-10) was off.

Small wonder that, when asked yesterday to assess his first half, Paulino replied flatly, "I'm hoping to be better in the second."

He quickly amended that, though.

"It's just about the hitting, I think. Defensively, I feel like I'm doing much better than what I did last year. Hitting? That's been difficult. I feel like, with every at-bat, there's so much more pressure. It's like I'm trying to get three hits in one at-bat."

Paulino's view that he has improved behind the plate might be jarring to some, particularly those who have noticed his frequent drops on throws from the outfield. But he stood by it firmly when that specific subject was raised.

"The plays I've been getting have been bang-bang," Paulino said. "I know there have been some plays, but they've been close and, some of those times, I've been hit before I got the ball."

He maintained that his other facets all are upgraded.

"Everything," he said.

Paulino has five passed balls, on pace to match his 10 from last year. He has five errors, also on pace to match his 11 from last year. And he has thrown out 15 of 43 runners, a 35 percent rate that is slightly up from his 32 percent of last year.

His game-calling remains an apparent strength, the primary evidence for that being that pitchers have a 4.15 ERA when he catches, 5.75 when it is anyone else.

Paulino pointed to the team's 33-28 record when he catches.

"When I see that, I feel like I'm doing my job."

Manager Jim Tracy yesterday reiterated his fervent backing of Paulino.

"What that man did a year ago ... I'm sorry, but that wasn't an accident," Tracy said. "He's capable of revisiting that, and he's capable of being a very, very good catcher in the major leagues. It's his second year. You don't quit on people like that."

He expressed hope, too, that Paulino's output last night could resonate.

"I saw a lot better swings from Ronny tonight."

LaRoche a late scratch

First baseman Adam LaRoche was scratched shortly before the game because of lingering pain in his left knee, a problem he has had since the June 26-28 series in Miami.

He pushed himself through the afternoon batting practice to try to play, but he and Tracy agreed it was not a good idea.

"Adam gave it everything he had," Tracy said.

Tracy said no decision about today would be made until shortly before the game. One factor surely will be this: If LaRoche is off, he would have six consecutive days of rest -- including the All-Star break -- before the next series in Atlanta.

Asked last night if he might play today, LaRoche said, "We'll see then."

Duffy improving

Center fielder Chris Duffy, rehabilitating his sprained left ankle in Bradenton, Fla., has made good progress. The inflammation and bruising has gone down, and he has begun range-of-motion exercises.

He has no timetable to play in a minor-league game, so it still seems quite unlikely he will be able to come off the 15-day disabled list July 14, the first day he is eligible.

Pearce's big stage

First baseman Steve Pearce left the Class AA Altoona Curve yesterday to prepare for the Futures Game, 4 p.m. today at San Francisco's AT&T Park.

His final pre-break numbers: .334 average, .401 on-base percentage, 22 home runs, 24 doubles and 75 RBIs.

"Every year, there are one or two players who just jump up out of the pack, and Steve Pearce has done that," director of player development Brian Graham said.

The game will air on ESPN.

Buried treasure

Reliever Salomon Torres will make his second rehabilitation appearance today for Bradenton of the Gulf Coast League. He is scheduled to pitch one inning, but it could be two if he is efficient.

Xavier Nady was shifted to center field, largely to keep Ryan Doumit's hot bat in the lineup, Tracy said. Tracy added that he wants to see more of the switch-hitting Doumit from the right side. Doumit is batting .312 vs. left-handers, .292 vs. right-handers. All six of his home runs have come left-handed.

Yet another golden Saturday passed without a sellout, this crowd ending up at 33,293. There has been one sellout since the home opener, that coming June 16.