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Monday, March 18, 2002

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- One bright spot in a 5-1 loss yesterday to the Indians was three scoreless innings of relief by second-year reliever Joe Beimel, who appears to have secured one of the left-handed slots in the bullpen.

"There may be times during the course of the season when he may have to do that. He was pretty good at it last year," Manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Asked if Beimel had won a job, McClendon repeated himself and added: "That should tell you something."

Beimel came on in relief of Tony McKnight, who got an emergency start because of Ron Villone's hamstring injury and yielded three runs on six hits in three innings. Beimel allowed one hit and walked one while striking out three.

"I think his stuff is better. He's physically stronger, able to drive with his legs. The poise, fortitude and character is still there, "McClendon said.

"I think he knows he can pitch at the major-league level."

Beimel was encouraged by his outing and McClendon's comments.

"In my mind, I've done all I can to show I belong up here," said Beimel, who struggled early in camp but has been impressive lately. "The rest is up to them."

Pat Meares singled in the lone run in the fifth inning for the Pirates, who were held to six hits and had a three-game winning streak snapped.

McKnight, who is battling for a bullpen spot after being dropped from the rotation mix, is out of options and must make the roster or be exposed to waivers.

Rotation rotation

While nothing official has been announced yet on the rotation, Sean Lowe will start today against the Rangers' Kenny Rogers. Josh Fogg will pitch in a minor-league game at Pirate City, but McClendon said not to read much into the selection.

"Whoever starts [today] doesn't mean that that young man is in the rotation," McClendon said.

The Pirates have yet to name their opening-day starter, although they've hinted that they would like someone with experience to start against the Mets in Shea Stadium.

"With where we're at, we don't have a No. 1. We have a chronological order with how they're going to pitch," General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

"I don't know if there's any magic. The opening-day starter is one because of the hype and because of the nervousness. It'd be nice to have someone who's been out there some. You'd love to be able to sit here and say we've got Clemens who's had 15 or 20 years in the big leagues. But that's where we're at."

In no special order, the rotation is shaping up as Kip Wells, Jimmy Anderson, Dave Williams and Villone, depending on how his hamstring feels, with Lowe, Fogg, Pat Rapp and Salomon Torres in a battle for the fifth slot.

More cuts

With 46 players in camp and only 25 jobs open, the Pirates will make another round of cuts today. Between 6-10 players are expected to be reassigned or released.

One of those on the bubble is rookie outfielder Tony Alvarez. No one has doubted his desire and hustle, but he has only 254 at bats at the Class AA level, and with a crowded outfield he is likely to play in the minor leagues another season. With a little more experience, Alvarez is expected to develop into a major leaguer. With an infield single yesterday, he is batting 11 for 23 this spring.

Memories

It was 10 years to the day yesterday that pitcher John Smiley was traded to the Twins for Denny Neagle and Midre Cummings.

It was also a birthday for Smiley, who is in camp as a special pitching instructor.