The numbers speak for John Grabow much better than the Pirates' most soft-spoken reliever could do himself:

• A 0.00 ERA in 12 appearances.

• A .159 opponents' batting average.

• Zero extra-base hits allowed.

• Eleven strikeouts to two walks.

• Seven runners inherited, five stranded.

• And, perhaps most impressive given that he is left-handed, right-handed batters are 5 for 30 off him, a .167 average.

Small wonder manager John Russell compares his performance to this point only to that of exemplary outfielder Nate McLouth.

"Outstanding," Russell called Grabow.

"He's been just great," starter Paul Maholm said. "The best part is how cool he is, how confident when he comes into the game, even with men on base. He has that give-me-the-ball attitude."

Grabow, typically, is understated in his assessment.

---

Minor-league report

Wednesday's results

INDIANAPOLIS (12-8) lost to Louisville, 7-5. RHP Bryan Bullington (0-3, 6.46) allowed seven runs -- three earned -- and eight hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. RHP Jesse Chavez (2.08) and RHP T.J. Beam (3.00) each pitched two scoreless innings of relief. CF Andrew McCutchen (.276) went 1 for 5. RF Steve Pearce (.241) went 1 for 4 with a double. 3B Neil Walker (.161), back after missing three games to a bruised elbow, went 0 for 4 with a walk.

ALTOONA (9-10)lost to Akron, 2-0. RHP Yoslan Herrera (1-2, 3.86) allowed one run and four hits in five innings. RHP Ronald Belisario (8.22) pitched one scoreless inning of relief. 1B Jason Delaney (.359) went 2 for 4.

LYNCHBURG (7-12) lost at Myrtle Beach, 7-4. LHP Danny Moskos (2-0, 3.48) allowed four runs -- three earned -- and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three. 2B Angel Gonzalez (.240) went 2 for 5 with two doubles.

HICKORY (10-10) beat Augusta, 6-3. RHP Dustin Molleken (2-1, 3.13) allowed three runs and six hits -- half of them home runs -- in seven innings. CF Marcus Davis (.206) hit his third home run, a three-run shot, and went 1 for 4.

---

"I'm feeling normal, really," he said. "I know I'm on a bit of a roll, but I always try to stay on an even keel, go out there and compete, try to keep us close."

Grabow, 29, has a career 4.61 ERA, so the performance is above par, to be sure. But the consistency is not: In his first four full seasons, he has logged 68, 63, 72 and 63 appearances and, all through that time, has been highly effective at stranding runners.

The past two years, Grabow has been slowed at times by minor chips in his left elbow, and he decided after last season not to have surgery.

So far, so good.

"Everything feels great right now," he said.

Nothing likely feels better than the change-up Grabow is using to handcuff right-handed batters. He can locate it on the outside corner to turn rollover swings into harmless grounders, or he can use its somewhat peculiar cutting action to bust them inside.

How to explain that cut?

"Not sure, but it's working great," he said.

General manager Neal Huntington and Russell met with reliever Evan Meek, the Rule 5 draft pick, in Russell's office yesterday.

Something serious?

Not at all, apparently.

By all accounts, it was little more than a conversation about the team's expectations and maintaining Meek's confidence. Meek has pitched nine innings in seven games for a 10.00 ERA.

Third baseman Jose Bautista was back in the lineup after two games on the bench, but Russell stressed that Bautista and equally struggling first baseman Adam LaRoche must perform far better.

"We need guys to swing the bats," Russell said. "It's tough to put all the pressure on Nate and Xavier Nady and a couple other guys. We're looking for consistency."

• Shortstop Jack Wilson's strained left calf continues to "progress," Russell said, but his rehabilitation in Bradenton, Fla., still includes no game-type activity. Wilson is expected to begin minor-league action in early May.

• Starter Matt Morris and pitching coach Jeff Andrews had a lengthy flat-ground throwing session early in the afternoon. Morris is 0-3 with a 9.15 ERA in four starts.

• Outfielder Nyjer Morgan has not started since April 11 and did not appear at all in the three games before last night, but Russell pledged he would see some duty "during this homestand." McLouth, the Pirates' best player in April, has started every game.

• Derek Hankins, a starter with Class AA Altoona, was placed on the minor-league disabled list after being struck in the ribs by a line drive Monday.