No one would argue that this season has been a grind unlike any other for Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit.

In his first full-time season playing the position, that was expected coming out of spring training.

What is up for debate, however, is if the grind is starting to have an impact on his production.

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Minor-league report

Friday's games

INDIANAPOLIS (60-68) beat Durham, 1-0. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (3-1, 2.06) pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed one hit. He had a no-hitter through six, struck out six, walked none and threw 58 of 87 pitches for strikes. RHP Franquelis Osoria (0.00) and RHP Jesse Chavez (3.74) each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. LF Nyjer Morgan (.300) went 3 for 4 with a triple. CF Andrew McCutchen (.277) went 2 for 4. 3B Neil Walker (.235) went 0 for 2 with two walks. DH Jose Bautista (.000), in the first game since his demotion, went 0 for 4.

ALTOONA (57-71) won at New Hampshire, 7-2. RHP Jared Hughes (2-1, 3.91) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits in six innings. CF Jose Tabata (.261) hit his fourth home run and went 3 for 6 with two RBIs. 2B Shelby Ford (.287) hit his fourth homer and went 3 for 5 with a double and walk. 1B Jamie Romak (.213) hit his 23rd home run and went 2 for 4 with a walk.

LYNCHBURG (49-76) lost to Winston-Salem, 6-2. LHP Tony Watson (6-12, 3.86) allowed five runs and nine hits in seven innings. LHP Danny Moskos (6.30) allowed one run and two hits in two innings of relief. He struck out one.

HICKORY (46-79) lost to Kannapolis, 10-0. RHP Bryan Morris (0-2, 5.02) allowed five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three, walked five. 3B Matt Hague (.322) went 2 for 4.

STATE COLLEGE (11-44) lost at Williamsport, 6-5. LHP Rudy Owens (1-6, 5.82) allowed three runs and six hits in three innings. SS Chase D'Arnaud (.346) went 3 for 4 with a walk and RBI.

BRADENTON (31-16) beat the Orioles, 7-2. LHP Nelson Pereira (5-2, 1.50) allowed one run and two hits in five innings. C Jesus Aguilera (.295) went 3 for 4 with three RBIs. LF Wes Freeman (.000), in his professional debut, went 0 for 1 with a walk.

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"I think it is the time of year where everyone is getting tired," Doumit said before the game last night. "I'm starting to feel it a little bit, but you have to dig deep. I don't think it has affected me at the plate at all, though."

That said, there has been a drop-off in Doumit's productivity of late, even though he headed into the game last night with a .331 batting average that led all major league catchers.

Doumit had gone 14 for 49 (.286) in August after hitting .356 in April, .333 in both May and June and .317 in July. Of Doumit's 12 home runs, one had come since the All-Star break.

Pirates manager John Russell is an authority on what Doumit is going through. In 10 seasons in the majors, Russell was primarily a catcher.

"It is a different experience for him," Russell said of Doumit. "Obviously, he has never caught this many games at this level. Him and I talk about it ... there is some mental frame that he has to be in, but I think what he did last winter and what he has done this season about his conditioning has really helped him. It is a grind, it is a lot of baseball."

Doumit said at this time last year he was between 220 and 225 pounds. Now, he weighs about 210, thanks to a vigorous conditioning program.

Russell also offered a clue to Doumit's slight slide, saying that perhaps opposing teams have caught on to just how potent he is offensively. As a result, they are pitching to him differently.

"Right now, for example, I think our guys are trying to do a little bit too much because we are not scoring," Russell said.

"You try to do a little too much, and it will take you out of your approach. But, obviously, word has also gotten out that Nate [McLouth] and Ryan are very good hitters, so that has been a factor, too."

For the second consecutive game, Doug Mientkiewicz wasn't in the starting lineup, even though he has hit .338 in his past 38 starts and hit safely in eight consecutive starts between Aug. 3-11.

"It crushes you because you know what he brings," Russell said.

"I think it is no secret everyone in our clubhouse loves it when he plays because he brings so much energy. ... But he understands the situation, we are giving some guys opportunities to develop their career."

While Mientkiewicz has started 27 games at third this year, 26 at first and five in right, one of those who needs a chance is Andy LaRoche, the new everyday third baseman. Russell also has decided to use the Steve Pearce/Jason Michaels combination in right.

Adam LaRoche, who came off the disabled list Thursday, is playing every day, and that, too, has reduced Mientkiewicz's playing time.

• The crowd of 37,506 last night marked the seventh sellout of the season and the 57th in the eight-year history of PNC Park.

• Mets closer Billy Wagner, placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 6, threw a simulated game of 20 pitches yesterday afternoon at PNC Park. While the Mets initially planned to activate him for the game tomorrow against the Pirates, he felt soreness in his left elbow yesterday and was sent back to New York for re-evaluation.