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PrintCHICAGO -- There goes the Pirates' pitcher-batting-eighth project.
And Nate McLouth at leadoff.
And Ryan Doumit at No. 3.
The first tangible fallout of Jason Bay and Xavier Nady being traded was a shakeup of the lineup's general framework, and that came about after a lengthy meeting yesterday morning between manager John Russell, bench coach Gary Varsho and hitting coach Don Long.
INDIANAPOLIS (52-62) lost to Toledo, 3-0. RHP Daniel McCutchen (4-8, 3.83), one of the four prospects in the Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte trade, allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out three, walked three and threw 63 of 100 pitches for strikes. RHP Romulo Sanchez (.2.28) pitched three scoreless innings of relief. CF Andrew McCutchen (.274) went 0 for 3 with a walk. 3B Neil Walker (.230) went 0 for 4 and committed his 16th error.
ALTOONA (51-62) lost to Bowie, 19-3, largest margin of defeat in franchise history. RHP Derek Hankins (1-8, 4.61) allowed nine runs and nine hits in five innings. 1B Jamie Romak (.125) hit his first Class AA home run, 19th overall, and went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
LYNCHBURG (46-65) were swept in a doubleheader at Myrtle Beach, 11-10 and 1-0. In the first game, LHP Danny Moskos (6.38), making his first relief appearance since being removed from the rotation, was charged with a blown save. He allowed two runs, one hit -- a home run -- and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. In the second game, LHP Brian Holliday (4-9, 5.80) allowed one run and four hits in five innings. For the day, LF Jared Keel (.215) went 2 for 3 with two doubles, three walks and two RBIs.
HICKORY (44-67) lost at Savannah, 12-4. RHP Duke Welker (3-9, 5.01) allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in three innings. RF Keanon Simon (.209) went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
STATE COLLEGE (9-32) lost at Batavia, 12-7. RHP Maurice Bankston (0-5, 6.69) allowed six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. SS Chase D'Arnaud (.268) went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs.
BRADENTON (21-14) lost to the Orioles, 7-3. RHP Zach Foster (1-1, 5.06) allowed five runs and six hits in two innings. 3B Jarek Cunningham (.319) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Stripped of their Nos. 4-5 hitters, they decided first to drop the pitcher batting in the ninth spot, largely because, as Russell put it, "We've lost some power in the middle of the lineup, and the whole idea was getting guys on base for those guys. It's not as conducive now, until we see what we have."
From there, they decided to form a new heart of the order and went with McLouth, their top RBI man with 72, at No. 3, and filled the cleanup spot with Doumit, their top hitter with a .333 average. The top two yesterday were Luis Rivas and Doug Mientkiewicz, but leadoff should go to Freddy Sanchez once healthy.
McLouth is batting .291 at leadoff, .261 at No. 3. Doumit is batting .354 at No. 3, .331 at cleanup.
Part of the plan, Russell said, was to keep newcomers Andy LaRoche and Brandon Moss from taking on too much too soon.
"We don't expect these guys to just walk in here and hit .800 right away," he said. "We want them to get comfortable."
To facilitate that, Russell said that LaRoche, Moss and recent recall Steve Pearce will play regularly.
Most players expressed views about the Bay trade similar to those offered after Nady was gone, sounding disappointed and, to an extent, understanding of general manager Neal Huntington's position that depth was needed.
First baseman Adam LaRoche might have summed up the day's themes best ...
"I understand that other teams wanted Jason, and this was Neal's move to pull in guys," LaRoche said. "I see what he's doing, a little bit, but I don't think the fans do yet. He's going back to basics, like this is a new organization, square one. Stack the heck out of the farm system so that we've got prospects every way you turn. Unfortunately, the major league team's got to take a hit while that happens."
How big a hit?
"Look at our lineup now. I mean, let's be honest. We had one of the best lineups in baseball, and we just dismantled it. ... But we had to take some steps back to go forward, I guess."
Russell addressed the effect for the first time, too.
"You can't replace what those players brought, and it was awfully sad to see them go," he said. "But, if you look at it, Jack Wilson's been here a while. Freddy's been here a little while. You've got Doumit, McLouth. It's turning into their team now. Now, we've got new guys coming in, and we're looking forward to it going in a good direction."
• Closer Matt Capps, rehabilitating from shoulder inflammation, will pitch a simulated game today in Bradenton, Fla, a real one there Tuesday and could be assigned to Class AAA Indianapolis or Class AA Altoona by next weekend if he continues to feel as healthy as he has the past few days.
• Sanchez had targeted yesterday to return from his back spasms, but that now seems iffy for the weekend. He has not yet been cleared to pinch-hit.
• Moss was used in right field for one day, Russell explained, so he could have an easier time in the field on his first day. He will move to left today and remain there.
