It was mistakenly thought that the Games would sell themselves. We can still succeed in convincing people they need to be here.

[Two of the people thought to be at or near the top of the Pirates' wish list to succeed Lloyd McClendon had much different initial reactions to their names being mentioned for the position. Ken Macha headed off any discussion when approached by Bay Area reporters. Art Howe was a bit more expansive.] With the right ingredients, good things should happen there, ... Hopefully, I'm part of the ingredients.

I thought we were turning the corner. We had a good stretch of games, and we've taken a little step backwards now. We have to find a way to get back again.

He'll get some innings under his belt [and] pitch in some big-league games. Our thought process is to send him to Triple-A, put him in the rotation and have him to continue to develop. If he continues to do well, there's a chance realistically [that] we'll see him in Houston at some point during the season. We don't expect that to happen out of Spring Training. We're going to keep an open mind about it, but realistically, we see him gong to Triple-A.

We haven't played well in the last few games. I thought our defensive intensity was better tonight though. Lamoille came through when they needed to, they have a nice ball club.

I thought it was one of those games where he was going to go all the way, ... He was really pumped up. He was a different pitcher today.