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Minor-league report

Wednesday's results

INDIANAPOLIS (45-53) was off. In the Class AAA All-Star Game at Louisville, Ky., CF Andrew McCutchen went 2 for 2 with a sacrifice fly and two RBIs. SS Brian Bixler went 1 for 4.

ALTOONA (41-54) was off. In the Class AA Eastern League All-Star Game at Manchester, N.H., 1B Jason Delaney went 1 for 3 with a walk. RHP Pat Bresnehan allowed three runs, two hits and a walk in one inning of relief. He was charged with a blown save and the loss. LHP Josh Shortslef pitched one scoreless inning,

LYNCHBURG (43-53) lost at Frederick, 16-11. LHP Danny Moskos (7-6, 6.15) allowed nine runs and seven hits -- one home run -- in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two, walked four, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. 2B Angel Gonzalez (.253) hit his third home run and went 3 for 5 with three RBIs. 3B Jim Negrych (.362) hit his fourth home run, a grand slam, and went 1 for 4.

HICKORY (41-55) lost to Lakewood, 5-4. RHP Brad Clapp (3-6, 3.15) allowed three runs, one earned, and five hits in six innings. 3B Matt Hague (.373) went 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI.

STATE COLLEGE (7-20) beat Tri-City, 13-0. LHP Rudy Owens (1-3, 5.32) pitched five scoreless innings and allowed three hits. LF Cole White (.370) went 3 for 6 with a double and two RBIs.

BRADENTON (10-10) and the Red Sox were postponed by wet grounds.

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First, Brad Lincoln bounced back.

Now, he is moving up.

The Pirates yesterday promoted their top pitching prospect and 2006 first-round draft pick, from low Class A Hickory to high Class A Lynchburg, another encouraging sign after he missed all of last year to reconstructive elbow surgery.

Lincoln, 23, was 5-5 with a 4.65 ERA in 11 starts for Hickory. After a fine initial return, he was charged with 17 earned runs in a three-start span before pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday in Hagerstown, Md.

"Brad has done everything expected of him at low A, including taking the ball every fifth day, pitch healthy, throw all his pitches for strikes and be efficient in attacking hitters," director of player development Kyle Stark said. "He has also demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism on the field and is ready for the challenges of high A."

Stark added that, while Lincoln will continue to be monitored closely, he is not operating with a limit for his inning count the rest of the season.

Lincoln is expected to make his Lynchburg debut tomorrow in Potomac, Md.

Salas rejoining Pirates

Reliever Marino Salas will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen today to replace Romulo Sanchez, optioned back Sunday, and will be available tonight in Denver.

Salas has an 11.17 ERA in nine major league appearances over two previous stints this season, with 18 hits and eight walks in 9 2/3 innings.

McCutchen left out

Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' top overall prospect, learned he will not make the U.S. Olympic team for Beijing.

The four outfielders on the 23-man roster, as announced yesterday by USA Baseball: Dexter Fowler of the Colorado Rockies' system, John Gall of the Florida Marlins, Matt LaPorta of the Cleveland Indians and Colby Rasmus of the St. Louis Cardinals.