The game: Paul Maholm, who could start the third game of the season in Atlanta, had another effective start in the Pirates' 8-4 victory yesterday against Cincinnati in Sarasota.

Maholm pitched five innings, allowing three hits. One of those was Joey Votta's three-run home run in the fifth inning.

"A first-pitch breaking ball," Maholm said. "Part of my plan then was to [just] make sure the ball was in the [strike] zone. He must have super strength. There were other guys who hit the ball harder and it just died."

"Other than [the home run], I thought he was outstanding," manager John Russell said. "What we've been stressing is consistency from the starters."

If Maholm, a left-hander, does start the third game in Atlanta, it's unlikely the Pirates will use left-hander Zach Duke immediately after him. That would mean right-hander Matt Morris starts April 4 in the first game of a three-game series against Florida. Duke would follow Morris.

Russell said Monday that Ian Snell will start opening day March 31 in Atlanta. Tom Gorzelanny will start the second game.

Snell agreed to a multiyear contract Sunday that could be worth at least $24.6 million.

Xavier Nady, who entered the game just 3 for 31, had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Jose Bautista had two hits, including his first home run in a four-run third inning against Josh Fogg, and three RBIs.

Injury update: Freddy Sanchez still has yet to play in the field. Limited to being a designated hitter this spring after September shoulder surgery, Sanchez was scheduled to start at second base yesterday. However, he asked for one more day and is now scheduled to play in the field tonight.

Battle lines: The center field job might come down to how many times Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan will both be in the lineup during the season. Both could make the opening day roster, and there was a glimpse yesterday of how a lineup that includes both would look.

McLouth, 12 for 36 this spring, led off and played left field, in place of Jason Bay. Morgan, 10 for 43, batted second and played center. Each scored a run.

"There are a lot of things we can do with us at the top of the order," McLouth said.

"If they see a way it can work, I'm all for it," Morgan said.

Today: The Pirates play the New York Yankees in Bradenton at 7:05 p.m., marking the first night game in the 85-year history of McKechnie Field. What was to have been the first night game at McKechnie against Cincinnati was rained out March 7.

Morris is scheduled to start against Phil Hughes. Phil Dumatrait, Byung-Hyun Kim and Damaso Marte also are on the Pirates' pitching list.

Camp roster: The Pirates have 39 players -- 20 pitchers, 4 catchers, 9 infielders and 6 outfielders -- after yesterday's dispatch of right-hander John Van Benschoten to the minor league camp.

Van Benschoten, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2001, would have been included in the mass roster cut Monday, but he reported a blister on his right index finger. To avoid any possible disabled-list issues, the Pirates waited until they were sure Van Benschoten was OK.

Last season, Van Benschoten was 10-7 with a 2.56 earned run average in 19 starts for Indianapolis. In 11 appearances with the Pirates, he was 0-7 (10.15).

Countdown to Atlanta: 12 days.