CINCINNATI -- Brad Eldred made his first career start in right field yesterday, and much of the reason for that was that Zach Duke was the Pirates' starting pitcher.

"If [Duke's] on his game, the ball's on the ground a lot more than it is in the air," manager Jim Tracy said.

Hence, not many fly balls to the outfield.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Sunday's results INDIANAPOLIS (2-1) split a doubleheader with Columbus, winning, 1-0, and losing, 2-0. In the first game, RHP Bryan Bullington (0-0, 0.00) pitched five shutout innings and allowed three hits. He struck out four and walked one. RHP Dan Kolb (0.00) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the victory. PH Chris Aguila had an RBI single in the eighth. In the second game, LHP Shane Youman (0-1, 2.25) allowed one run and four hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked two. It was Youman's first minor-league loss since May 20, 2006, ending a streak of 21 appearances without a loss. RHP Jesse Chavez (0.00) struck out all three batters he faced. ALTOONA (0-0) was off. LYNCHBURG (1-2) beat Frederick, 3-1. RHP Derek Hankins (1-0, 0.00) allowed one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings. RHP Pat Bresnehan (0.00) struck out three in the final 1 2/3 innings for his first save. LF Jason Delaney (.222) hit his first home run. C Steve Lerud (.000), the Pirates' fourth-round draft pick in 2003, went 0 for 4 bats with three strikeouts to extend an 0-for-11 start. HICKORY (3-1) split a doubleheader at Hagerstown, winning, 6-5, and losing, 2-1. In the first game, LHP Mike Felix (1-0, 11.57) allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings. In the second game, RHP Eric Krebs (1.80) allowed one run in five innings while striking out eight. For the day, SS Angel Gonzalez (.278) went 3 for 8 with a triple, two RBIs and a steal.

Another reason Tracy played Eldred in right field was that the game was played at cozy Great American Ball Park.

"It's not like you need a lot of range from your outfielders," Tracy said. "If the ball's in the air and hit fairly well, it normally doesn't hang around. It leaves."

Sometimes the ball even leaves when it doesn't "leave."

In Saturday's game, Cincinnati's Adam Dunn received credit for a home run when his high drive into right-center field caromed out of Xavier Nady's glove and into the seats.

Dunn yesterday acknowledged the gift by sending over a bottle of Nady's favorite beverage to the outfielder.

"Thanks for the home run," read Dunn's card.

Nady yesterday played center field with Eldred in right. Tracy didn't want to use Jason Bay in center field because the left fielder had offseason knee surgery. It makes little sense to put too much wear and tear on that knee.

Nady played only two innings in center field in spring training -- in the last exhibition game.

He did appear in 30 games, including 28 starts, in center field for San Diego in 2005.

"He played a very competitive center field when he was with the Padres," Tracy said. "He's capable of doing it. So you put Xavier Nady in center field and you get Brad Eldred to home plate.

"Otherwise, you're completely negating the progress [Eldred] made if you don't get him an opportunity to hit against live pitching. He's not going to be any good as a pinch-hitter getting three at-bats every three weeks. It's just no good."

Eldred, who missed most of last season after left thumb surgery, hit .303 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in 66 at-bats this spring.

Capps gets first hit

Reliever Matt Capps, in only his third major-league at-bat, got his first big-league hit yesterday.

In the eighth inning against Todd Coffey, Capps topped a ball down the first-base line and easily beat Coffey's off-balance heave.

"He 'murdered' that ball," Duke said with a smile.

Someone estimated the distance of Capps' hit as 52 feet.

"Not even that far," he said. "But it will look like a one-hopper into center field. Growing up as a kid, you dream of hitting a game-winning home run in the World Series. This obviously wasn't of that magnitude, but it's exciting to say I got a hit in a major-league game."

Kelly's homecoming

Don Kelly, the Mt. Lebanon native and former Point Park player, will be one of the most excited people at PNC Park today.

"Oh, gosh. I've been pumped up since they told me I made the squad," the Pirates' utility infielder said. "It's going to be great going home. It's pretty special."

Kelly said he hasn't been inundated with ticket requests.

"Everybody's been real great about buying their own tickets and getting things squared away on their end, so they're making it pretty easy on me," he said.

A frozen field

How cold was it in Cincinnati? "I think it's kind of iffy when you're trying to go out and throw a bullpen [session] and they say, 'Stay off the grass because it's still frozen,' " Pirates pitcher Tom Gorzelanny said. "I think that's a good sign that it might be a little cold."

Pride of the Pirates

The winner of the annual "Pride of the Pirates" award will be announced during pregame festivities today. Word is that longtime broadcaster Lanny Frattare is this year's winner.

NL Central woes

Over the previous six seasons -- or since the opening of PNC Park -- the Pirates were 67 games under .500 against National League Central teams. Twice, they had the fourth-best division record. Twice, they had the fifth-best division record. And also twice, they had the sixth-best record -- which happened to be in 2005 (30-50) and '06 (34-44).

In that same time span, the Pirates were 31-68 against the Cardinals.