--LHP Zach Duke matched his road victory total from last season by winning his first start of the season Wednesday. Duke was 1-6 in 16 starts away from PNC Park last season and 5-14 overall. However, he held the Cardinals to three runs, one earned, and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

--C Jason Jaramillo might make his major league debut Thursday afternoon in the finale of the four-game series at St. Louis, though manager John Russell said he was not sure if he would give C Ryan Doumit the day off. Jaramillo was one of two players on the opening-day roster who had never played in the major leagues. The other was LHP Donnie Veal, who made his debut Tuesday night by pitching one inning of relief.

--Starting Thursday, the Pirates play four of their next five games and seven of their next in 10 in the afternoon. C Ryan Doumit hit .343 in 105 at-bats in day games last season, while SS Jack Wilson batted .321 in 81 at-bats and 1B Adam LaRoche hit .301 in 123 at-bats.

--RHP Ross Ohlendorf will make his first start of the season Thursday when he faces the Cardinals. Ohlendorf won a spot in the rotation after a fine spring, posting a 2.55 ERA in 24 2/3 innings during the exhibition season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Phil Dumatrait (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He has been slow to recover.

ROTATION:

1. LHP Paul Maholm

2. RHP Ian Snell

3. LHP Zach Duke

4. RHP Ross Ohlendorf

5. RHP Jeff Karstens

BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Capps (closer)

LHP John Grabow

RHP Tyler Yates

LHP Sean Burnett

RHP Craig Hansen

RHP Jesse Chavez

LHP Donnie Veal

LINEUP:

1. LF Nyjer Morgan

2. 2B Freddy Sanchez

3. CF Nate McLouth

4. C Ryan Doumit

5. 1B Adam LaRoche

6. RF Brandon Moss

7. 3B Andy LaRoche

8. SS Jack Wilson

RESERVES:

C Jason Jaramillo

INF Ramon Vasquez

INF Luis Cruz

INF/OF Eric Hinske

OF Craig Monroe