The game: Danny Moskos made a perfect debut in the Pirates' first action of the spring, a 5-0 blanking of Manatee Community College at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

The team's first-round draft pick last summer, wearing the parent club's uniform for the first time, had a 1-2-3 eighth inning in which he retired all batters on soft groundouts.

"I thought I'd be a little more nervous than I was," Moskos said. "I just wanted to go right at them, and it felt good."

He also joked that he wanted to "get out of the cold." It was 57 degrees with a biting wind that might have kept the offense down.

"I can't believe I actually was sweating when I ran afterward," Moskos said.

Steve Pearce and Doug Mientkiewicz had two hits each, including one each in a four-run first inning.

Class AA prospect Yoslan Herrera pitched the first two innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.

"We've got some good arms, and he's one of them," manager John Russell said.

Today: Tom Gorzelanny will start the Grapefruit League opener against Philadelphia at 1:05 p.m. in Clearwater, Fla. Bryan Bullington, Phil Dumatrait, Jaret Wright, Juan Perez, John Grabow and Matt Capps will follow. The Phillies' starter will be Kyle Kendrick.

Camp roster: 67, with 38 pitchers, 8 catchers, 13 infielders and 8 outfielders.

Injury updates: Outfielder Kevin Thompson's winter-long rehabilitation of his injured right shoulder culminated in his starting yesterday. He went 1 for 4.

Battle lines: Marino Salas showed a dominant splitter in his spotless fourth inning: He fanned his first two batters and got the third to ground out. Of 12 pitches, bats made contact only twice.

Management invariably includes Salas, the 26-year-old right-hander acquired in the Salomon Torres trade, in any discussion about the four bullpen openings.

Fun in the sun: There was no afternoon sun at McKechnie, but there were those eight new light towers, a jarring sight most players saw for the first time.

The clubhouse had a fresh look, too, with a new coaches' office and expanded exercise and trainer's rooms. The visitors' clubhouse, across the complex, is a completely new structure. Other touches include new fencing, a paved players' parking lot and abundant banners promoting the Pirates' 40th anniversary in Bradenton.

But the old-time, relaxed feel of McKechnie appeared very much intact. Best example: For the first few innings of the game, about 25 of the non-participating players sat on the warning track in right field to watch.

Inside pitch: With three B games added to the spring schedule through March 7, including one tomorrow against the Phillies at Pirate City, do not expect significant roster cuts until after that date. The Pirates will need all the arms they can get.

Countdown: 34 days to the first pitch in Atlanta.