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INDIANAPOLIS (43-49) beat Columbus, 3-2. RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (2-1, 2.81) pitched six scoreless innings and allowed four hits. He struck out six, walked two. RHP Franquelis Osoria (0.00), making his first rehabilitation appearance, pitched one scoreless inning of relief and allowed one hit and one walk. LF Nyjer Morgan (.251) went 1 for 5, including the walkoff RBI single in the ninth inning that extended his hitting streak to 10 games. C Andrew McCutchen (.285) went 2 for 2 with two walks. 3B Neil Walker (.233) went 2 for 4.
ALTOONA (37-51) lost to Harrisburg, 4-2. RHP Yoslan Herrera (5-8, 3.11) allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out two, walked three. RF Brad Corley (.286) hit his eighth home run and went 1 for 4. CF Chris Duffy (.269) went 0 for 4.
LYNCHBURG (40-48) beat Frederick, 5-1. LHP Brian Holliday (3-8, 5.93) allowed one run and seven hits in six innings. He struck out seven, walked one. RF Jamie Romak (.303) hit his 16th and 17th home runs and went 2 for 4 with three RBIs.
HICKORY (36-51) lost at Lake County, 9-2. RHP Brad Lincoln (4-5, 5.20) allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three, walked none. 1B Matt Hague (.342) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
STATE COLLEGE (4-15) lost at Oneonta, 4-1. RHP Brian Leach (0-0, 6.75) allowed one run and one hit in five innings. He struck out two, walked none. DH Cole White (.371) went 3 for 4 with a double, a walk and an RBI.
BRADENTON (7-8) lost to the Orioles, 10-4. LHP Nelson Pereira (1-0, 1.80) pitched four scoreless innings and allowed one hit. He struck out five, walked one. C Miguel Mendez (.552) went 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and a walk.
Ian Snell's plan for tonight, his first start since June 22, is simple.
"Just let her rip," he said, smiling. "I feel great. A hundred percent. Better than I have all year. And I'm going to throw the ball like I know I can. The velocity's there. The break is there. I can't wait to get out there."
One thing that is not there, he added, is the pain in his right elbow joint.
"It kept my velocity down, and it made me change my arm angles all the time. But not now. I'm ready to go."
Pirates manager John Russell said Snell, like Phil Dumatrait last night, will be "watched closely" once he reaches for 70-80 pitches but that there was no firm limit if he looks efficient.
The A-word once again
Russell was asked if the Pirates' recent demotion of Tom Gorzelanny to Class AAA Indianapolis was a sign of management's offseason declaration that there would be accountability at all levels.
"Absolutely," Russell said. "It's not something where we targeted people to make a point. But it's like Ronny Paulino. We felt like we needed to get him going, and we feel the same way about Tom."
At least one other player seems to have taken the hint.
"I'm just glad they're giving me the chance," Snell said of his start tonight. "I don't want to go to Triple-A. I want to prove myself right here."
Pearce heading back
To clear space on the 25-man roster for Snell, outfielder Steve Pearce was optioned back to Indianapolis after the game last night. He went 1 for 3 during his recall.
Buried treasure
• Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, batting .186 since June 1, was benched for the third time in five games. Luis Rivas took his place.
• John Van Benschoten will pitch the series finale tomorrow, Russell confirmed.
• Dumatrait batted eighth, meaning it appears the pitcher being in that spot will be contingent on whether or not Raul Chavez is catching. Dumatrait did well, too, getting his first major league hit and RBI in his first at-bat.
• When that ball reached the home dugout, Paul Maholm pretended to flip it into the crowd. That was a decoy, of course.
• The Pirates tomorrow will announce the building of the first 'Miracle Field' in Western Pennsylvania, with the location to be disclosed. Such a field is made of a synthetic surface that allows for children in wheelchairs and walkers to move safely, as well as concession stands and other amenities structured similarly.
