Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Pirates Nate McLouth slides safely past Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba last night. Click photo for larger image. MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Monday's results INDIANAPOLIS (49-45) lost to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 8-5. RHP Bryan Bullington (10-4, 4.21) allowed four runs and four hits in five-plus innings. He struck out five and walked one. RHP Jonah Bayliss (6.75) and RHP Josh Sharpless (3.57) each allowed two runs in relief, Bayliss in two innings, Sharpless in one. LF Michael Ryan (.268) went 3 for 5 with an RBI. SS Brian Bixler (.290) went 2 for 5. ALTOONA (47-45) beat Bowie, 10-5. RHP Jason Roach (4-2, 4.57) allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. LF Jason Delaney (.268) hit his 12th and 13th home runs -- he has four with the Curve -- and went 4 for 4 with a double and a walk. 1B Steve Pearce (.326) went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. 3B Neil Walker (.292) went 1 for 3 with two walks and an RBI. LYNCHBURG (40-50) lost to Winston-Salem, 6-5. RHP Serguey Linares (1-4, 4.93) allowed two runs, one earned, in five innings. RF Brad Corley (.263) went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. HICKORY (38-52) lost to Lexington, 4-3. RHP Dustin Craig (0-2, 4.70) allowed one run in six innings. LF Jared Keel (.303 ) went 3 for 3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. STATE COLLEGE (13-13) lost to Brooklyn, 4-2. RHP Duke Welker (0-1, 3.72) allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. CF Keamon Simon (.271) went 3 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. BRADENTON (9-14) lost to the Red Sox, 15-0. RHP Rafael Delossantos (0-4, 4.72) allowed five runs, three earned, in 3 1/3 innings. 1B John Fitzpatrick (.258) went 2 for 4.

One upside to center fielder Chris Duffy being on the disabled list is that Nate McLouth is getting more playing time.

"He's getting an opportunity to lock himself in [at the plate] a little bit," manager Jim Tracy said.

And it seems McLouth is capitalizing on this.

Entering the game last night, McLouth had a .300 batting average in 14 games hitting in the leadoff spot.

"When he does get on first base, things happen for the middle of our order," Tracy said. "He's not afraid to steal a base."

McLouth also has been the Pirates' most-used pinch-hitter. In that role, he's 6 for 37 with a home run and two RBIs.

That's a tough job for a relatively young player who's in just his second full major-league season.

"I don't care if you're a young player or an old player, it's a difficult role," McLouth said. "The mentality's totally different [than starting]. If you're starting, it's a lot easier to be more comfortable because if you don't get it done your first at-bat, you have three or four more after that to get it done."

The key to pinch-hitting successfully is to not necessarily think about getting a hit.

"But to try to get a good pitch to hit," McLouth said. "You're not going to get a hit every time. You're not even going to get a hit most of the time. The biggest thing I've learned is to not go up there with the mentality that I have to get a hit because this is my only chance.

"With more experience comes a better comfort level."

Duffy in Florida

Duffy, on the disabled list because of a sprained left ankle, continues to rehab in Bradenton, Fla. He's doing some throwing but no running. It appears he won't return until at least early August.

"It's going to take a while," Tracy said.

Fogg's foursome

Josh Fogg, scheduled to start for Colorado tonight, doesn't have impressive stats -- 4-6 record, 5.36 earned run average. But he has picked up his four victories against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and New York Mets (twice).

Morgan to speak at PNC Park

Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will be the guest speaker at the Pirates' African American Heritage Day luncheon Aug. 3. The event, held in the Lexus Club at PNC Park, begins at 11:30 a.m.

No fear

The Rockies have no fear of Friday the 13th. They won in Milwaukee Friday night to stretch their winning streak on Friday the 13ths to six consecutive games.

Uneven Keel

Jared Keel, the Pirates' 31st-round pick in the 2006 draft, has been on a tear with Class A Hickory.

In the past 10 games, Keel has hit .351 with four home runs and nine RBIs. That raised his season marks to .293, 14 and 45.

"He was intriguing in spring training," said Tony Beasley, the Pirates' minor-league infielder coordinator. "He swung the bat well in spring training. He needs some work defensively. There's no doubt about that. He's got some bad habits that he's kind of grown into. Those are things through repetition we can break."

Keel, who played third base last season, has been used at first base, in the outfield and as a designated hitter this season. He has 17 errors.

"I think now that he's swinging the bat well, he'll be more open to defensive stuff," Beasley said. "Now he feels that, 'I'm somebody. I'm swinging the bat. If I can get the other side right, then I might have a chance to really do something in the organization."'

Taking a seat

Highly regarded shortstop Angel Gonzalez, who began this season with Hickory, was promoted to high Class A Lynchburg in early June, but he hasn't played much for the Hillcats.

Gonzalez has a sore shoulder and has played in only one game since June 16.

Need for speed

Lynchburg outfielder Pedro Powell continues to lead the Carolina League in stolen bases with 42 (in 53 attempts). Powell led the league with 63 stolen bases last season and is trying to become just the second player in league history to lead the league in back-to-back seasons. Jack Mitchell led the league in 1952-53.