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Monday, March 10, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Starting pitcher Josh Fogg progressed a step, and the Pirates played their best overall spring game yesterday.

"You get that competitive nature in there," Fogg said after allowing two hits in four scoreless innings in the Pirates' 5-2 victory against the Cleveland Indians. "The end result, every time you take the field, you want to win. The key to a good team is having 25 guys who feel that way. That's why you play the game -- to go out there and win."

Displaying an exceptional changeup, Fogg asked to go back out for a fifth inning but was consigned to the bullpen to get in extra work. Manager Lloyd McClendon liked what he saw of Fogg.

"It's important we start getting serious about what we're trying to accomplish," McClendon said. "We're getting there."

With the scored tied at 2-2, Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the sixth to account for thewinning runs. It is his team-leading fourth home run of the spring. Brian Giles and Craig Wilson also had solo homers.

Ramirez appears to be back in the form he was in before his right ankle was sprained last April.

"So far, I haven't felt any pain or soreness. Right now, I'm 100 percent," Ramirez said. "I just want to forget last year. It's a new year, a new team, a different lineup. I just want to keep it going now."

Suppan hurting

Jeff Suppan felt "a little stinger" in his right collarbone and failed to get out of the fourth inning in an 11-3 loss to the Devil Rays in a "B" game yesterday. Suppan allowed seven runs and 10 hits before he was taken out.

"He's OK. It was just a little pinch in his neck," McClendon said. "I don't think it's anything of any major concern. The important thing is he got his work in."

"It was something I never felt before," said Suppan, who threw 64 pitches. "I was like, 'Whoa, what is that?' But it's fine. It's nothing."

Cuts coming

General Manager Dave Littlefield and the Pirates staff met last night to discuss roster cuts, and the 60 players in camp could shrink to 46 or 47, possibly as early as today. Most of the moves will involve reassigning players to minor-league camp.

In addition, the number of pitchers in the competition for the fifth rotation spot will be pared soon to two or three.

"If you run them out there enough, guys will either do things to take control of the situation, or do things to eliminate themselves," McClendon said. "They'll tell you who are the real candidates."

Bradley has numbness

One of the roster moves will involve pitcher Bobby Bradley, who was told before camp he wouldn't make the roster. Bradley will be tested today after developing numbness in his right fingers.

"It feels like I'm throwing a football. I can't feel my fastball when it comes out of my hand," said Bradley, a former No. 1 draft pick who had elbow surgery 17 months ago. "That's why I'm not throwing strikes. I don't know where it's going,"

Torres to start

Salomon Torres starts against the Red Sox today. Rolando Arrojo and Joe Beimel also will pitch for the Pirates.