Nate McLouth headed to the All-Star Game in true All-Star form ...

Try an 11-for-36 roll with four home runs, five doubles and 12 RBIs in the eight games leading into the break.

Try 19 home runs, fourth-most of any center fielder in Major League Baseball.

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Minor-league report

Sunday's games

INDIANAPOLIS (45-53) beat Toledo, 4-3. RHP Jimmy Barthmeier (3-1, 3.02) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out six, walked one. LHP Juan Perez (0.00) pitched a perfect inning of relief and struck out two. 1B Steve Pearce (.266) went 2 for 4. 3B Neil Walker (.227) went 0 for 2 with a sacrifice fly and a walk.

ALTOONA (40-54) split a doubleheader at Erie, losing, 12-11, and winning, 4-2. In the completion of a suspended game, RHP Luis Munoz (1-3, 7.65) allowed seven runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. In the regular game, LHP Corey Hamman (5-6, 3.18) allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. For the day, 1B Jason Delaney (.306) hit his seventh home run and went 3 for 7 with a walk and two RBIs to extend his hitting streat to 15 games, the Curve's longest streak since 2004.

LYNCHBURG (42-51) won at Wilmington, 6-2. LHP Brian Holliday (4-8, 5.63) allowed one run and three hits in six innings. SS Jose De Los Santos (.296) went 3 for 4 with a triple and a steal.

HICKORY (40-53) was suspended by rain at Hagerstown.

STATE COLLEGE (6-19) lost at Brooklyn, 2-0. RHP Ramon Aguero (0-5, 8.04) allowed one run and three hits in three innings. RHP Brian Leach (5.30) pitched four scoreless innings of relief and allowed two hits. He struck out five, walked one.

BRADENTON (9-10) and the Reds were postponed by rain.

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And 65 RBIs, second-most in that group to the Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton.

And 33 doubles, three more than any player in the National League.

"It's been an incredible year for Nate," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said yesterday. "I think we all felt he could come in here and be a quality everyday player for us, but I don't think too many people predicted he would be an All-Star. But he is, and he's very deserving."

McLouth already has flown his parents, Rick and Pam, and brothers, Chris and Jake, from Michigan to New York take in all the events at Yankee Stadium, beginning with the Home Run Derby tonight.

"It's going to be outstanding," McLouth said. "My dream when I was little was to play in the big leagues. There was never a thought of playing in the All-Star Game. So, it's above and beyond what I ever could have expected. It's going to be a real thrill."

Anything to the timing of the tear, coming off a .214 June?

"Oh, no," he said. "It's not like I thought to myself that I wanted to start hitting because I was picked for the All-Stars. Things have just come around."

Grabow shelved

Reliever John Grabow was shut down Wednesday to address arm fatigue, Huntington disclosed, but he should be ready to pitch Friday or Saturday. There is no known injury but, because of his recent performance -- 10 of his past 15 runs have come by home run -- a precautionary stance was taken.

Herrera sticking around

Yoslan Herrera will get another chance to pitch in the Pirates' Red Cross rotation.

Huntington said that the order after the break will be: Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Herrera, Zach Duke and "probably" John Van Benschoten getting recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis.

Herrera's line in his debut Saturday was poor -- six runs, 11 hits, four walks in 4 1/3 innings -- but management liked some intangibles.

"It was his poise and lack of fear," Huntington said. "We saw some good things with his stuff, too, but the Cardinals were able to adjust to it. He needs to be more aggressive with the fastball."

Sanchez sent back

After the game yesterday, the Pirates optioned reliever Romulo Sanchez back to Class AAA Indianapolis. He made two appearances since his June 29 recall and was held back the past few days because of minor elbow trouble.

There will be no corresponding move until after the break.

McCutchen to Olympics?

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' top prospect, could be heading to Beijing.

Huntington said that McCutchen, who is under consideration for the United States roster for the Olympics, likely will be allowed to participate if asked. A decision is expected from USA Baseball soon.

If McCutchen goes, it will cost him all of August, but the benefit as Huntington sees it is that he will compete at an elite level -- Olympic teams mostly are comprised of top prospects -- and in a championship-type setting.

"You do think about development issues, but it could help Andrew, too," Huntington said.

McCutchen went 0 for 2 out of the leadoff spot in the All-Star Futures Game yesterday at Yankee Stadium: He popped up, flied out and, by the way, hit a foul ball into the second deck, just to the left of the foul pole.

"It was a home run in my book," McCutchen told reporters in New York. "I thought I got it."

Buried treasure

• First baseman Adam LaRoche was held out yesterday because of the bruised right thumb, but he should be ready Thursday.

• The Pirates signed their 21st-round draft pick, pitcher Brent Klinger of Glendale Community College. That raised the total of signed picks to 27 of 50 picks.

• It does not sound as if they will sign fifth-rounder Justin Wilson, who pitched the clinching game of the College World Series for Fresno State University last month. "He's decided he's worth a lot more than fifth-round money because of his heroics," Huntington said. "We've made our final offer."

• If Wilson is not signed, the money will be used toward other draft picks. One high-end player the Pirates remain focused on signing is California high school outfielder Robbie Grossman, the sixth-round pick.

• Average attendance at the break is 19,369, slightly more than half the capacity of PNC Park. Only the Florida Marlins have a lower average in the majors, at 15,029.