PITTSBURGH PIRATES TICKETS

Bullington designated for assignment
To open up a spot on the team's 40-man roster for outfielder Chris Duffy, the Pirates have designated former No. 1 pick Bryan Bullington for assignment.

Indy's McCutchen exudes confidence
With Triple-A Indianapolis' Andrew McCutchen, you have to understand where he's been as well as where he's headed in order to understand that it's a confidence, not a cockiness, that he exudes.

Nady's blasts lift Bucs over Reds
John Van Benschoten would be left in long enough to record just seven outs, but the Pirates rode a multi-homer game from Xavier Nady to come out on top Wednesday night, 9-5, in a slugfest against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Pearce called up from Triple-A
While preparing for a game in Louisville, Ky., Steve Pearce was told he'd making the one-hour, 45-minute car ride to Cincinnati. Pearce had been chosen as the team's replacement for Matt Capps, who is out with a shoulder injury, on the 25-man roster.

Bucs move on without Capps
While the Pirates digest the news of being without Matt Capps for the next two months, manager John Russell has already begun deciding on his plans to make up for the loss of their closer.

Capps to be placed on disabled list
The Pirates learned on Wednesday that they will be without closer Matt Capps for at least the next eight weeks after a magnetic resonance angiogram done on Capps' right shoulder revealed bursitis and showed an internal rotational deficit as well.

Pirates rally in 11th to even series
After watching their bullpen twice wash away leads, the Pirates tagged Reds reliever David Weathers for two runs in the 11th inning on Tuesday as they finally put away a 6-5 win over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Van Benschoten at home in Cincy
John Van Benschoten will arrive at the ballpark after having spent the night in his own home, which is just across the Ohio River, in nearby Ludlow, Ky. The right-hander grew up about 12 miles east of Cincinnati, in the suburb of Milford.

Russell to continue tinkering lineup
One day after batting pitcher Paul Maholm in the No. 8 spot in the order, Pirates manager John Russell thinks he may be onto something.

Van Benschoten to start Wednesday
There's no more need to speculate, as manager John Russell named right-hander John Van Benschoten the Pirates' starter for Wednesday's series finale against the Reds.

Coonelly chats with Bucs fans
On Tuesday, Pirates team president Frank Coonelly talked with and answered questions for fans online. What follows is a transcript of the chat.

Capps can't hold lead for Pirates
A two-run, walk-off ninth-inning homer by Ken Griffey Jr. in the bottom of the ninth spoiled the start to the Pirates' six-game road trip by sending the Bucs out of Great American Ball Park with a 4-3 loss to the Reds.

McLouth likely to return to face Reds
Though Nate McLouth was a late scratch from the lineup on Monday, the Pittsburgh center fielder has every intention of being back in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Reds.

Van Benschoten could start Wednesday
The Pirates remain noncommittal with who they plan on sending to the mound for Wednesday's game against the Reds, but it doesn't take much reading between the lines to figure out that if all goes as planned, it will be John Van Benschoten.

Russell shuffles lineup in Cincinnati
For the first time since 1956, the Pirates handed in their lineup card with the pitcher batting somewhere other than the No. 9 hole.

McLouth needs votes to back up stats
Nate McLouth is making his claim as the best center fielder in the National League. He has more extra-base hits, home runs and a higher OPS than any other NL center fielder. Still, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder is 15th among all NL outfielders in All-Star voting.

Pirates offense comes up short in finale
Pirates lefty Tom Gorzelanny and Rays right-hander Andy Sonnanstine hooked up in a tight pitching duel as the Rays defeated the Bucs, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

Pirates look to reform pitching
Despite putting up impressive offensive numbers, the Pirates have struggled on the mound this season. The club hopes to turn that around as it opens a three-game set against the Reds on Monday.

Hurler Taubenheim sent to Triple-A Indy
Following Saturday night's game with Tampa Bay, the Pirates optioned pitcher Ty Taubenheim to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled right-handed pitcher Romulo Sanchez.