PITTSBURGH -- The negative reaction to the Pirates' decision to bat Tike Redman in the third spot of the order started almost as soon as the announcement was made. The backlash only intensified after the Bucs dropped a 9-2 decision to the Brewers on Monday.

Prior to the series finale on Wednesday, Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon continued to defend the decision to move Redman up to third, a choice that came about after the team used a computer program to run a statistical analysis on the potential effectiveness of different lineup scenarios.

The Bucs' skipper called the outpouring of criticism over the move "comical."

"What a joke," said McClendon. "Think about it. The lineup changes every day. I guess you have to have something to write about. If you can't blame something on the manager, what would be going on?"

With lefty Doug Davis starting for Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jason Bay was slotted into the third spot and Redman dropped down to sixth in the order. It's a move McClendon said he plans to use throughout the season.

"We don't have a lineup that we can stamp every day and run it out there," said McClendon. "We've got to try to get the matchups that we can and put the players in the best position to succeed and try to win ballgames."

Asked about his strategy for developing future lineups, McClendon responded, "My game plan is this: not to discuss my lineup with the press every day."

Wilson back in the cleanup spot: McClendon was also criticized on Opening Day for benching Craig Wilson, the team's leader in home runs and RBIs in 2004, because the slugger entered the season 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in his career against Brewers ace Ben Sheets. When the typically accommodating Wilson declined interviews on Monday, there was speculation of a rift between him and his manager.

Both parties denied any such acrimony on Wednesday, and McClendon said Wilson's reaction to the situation was not unexpected.

"If I was a player, I'd be [upset], too. But is that a rift between him and his manager?" McClendon asked. "I don't want guys in the locker room happy they aren't playing. You think [Rob] Mackowiak was happy he wasn't playing, Craig Wilson or any of the other guys? They all want to play. That's the way it should be."

According to Wilson, his disappointment in not starting had more to do with wanting to compete against Sheets than the ceremonial significance of being in the lineup for Opening Day.

Craig Wilson  /   1B
		Born: 11/30/76 Height: 6'2" Weight: 220 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

"Some of it is Opening Day, but in reality there isn't anyone out there that you don't want to face," said Wilson. "I don't care if it's Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson or whomever it is. You still want to go out there and play.

"If you are not in the lineup, you get a little disappointed. I think everyone should be that way. If you're not disappointed and you're happy about not playing, maybe you shouldn't be here."

On the hot seat? Prior to the start of the season, at least one national publication predicted McClendon would be the first manager fired in 2005. The Opening Day lineup issues served to add fuel to that speculation in the local media.

For his part, McClendon does not seem at all worried about his job security.

"They were calling for my head the day after I took the job," said McClendon. "It's part of the business. You just go about your business and stay convicted to the things you are doing. You make sure you are on top of things, nobody out-prepares you and your players are ready to play every day. You believe in the things you are doing and believe they are the right things."

McClendon's players were quick to come to his defense, particularly those who have played for him the longest.

"I think he's done a [heck] of a job for us," said Rob Mackowiak. "He's kept everybody ready to play every day. He hasn't maybe had the talent that the Yankees have or guys like that, but we've got a team of guys that are going to fight. If you get into a fight out there, you want him on your side. That says a lot for him."

All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson credited McClendon with helping his career to blossom after a rough rookie year in 2001.

"He's fun to play for,' said Wilson. "He's very intense. He'll make sure you're giving 100 percent out there every game. If you're not, he'll let you know. That's what you want as a manager.

"I have him to thank for everything. He went out on the limb, got a Minor League shortstop, threw me in the big leagues and kept me here. He's done wonders for my career. I'll play for him anytime."

McClendon, who is signed through the 2005 season with a club option for 2006, said it is no accident that he has the sixth-longest tenure with his current team of the 30 big league managers.

"It certainly doesn't happen by mistake," said McClendon. "The fact is, the management appreciates the job that you are doing and the direction in which you're heading, and you're getting better."

McClendon believes the club has made positive strides since he took over in 2001. He is particularly proud of the change in his players' mindset.

"The attitude in the locker room is a lot better," said McClendon. "That was the biggest challenge of all. Guys believe they can win every day now. That's important. As we continue to put more talent in that locker room, it's going to get better and better."

Three Bucs Minor Leaguers suspended: Pirates GM Dave Littlefield announced on Wednesday that three Bucs Minor Leaguers have been suspended for violating Major League Baseball's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Right-hander Brian Mallette (Triple-A Indianapolis) received a 30-game suspension. Outfielder Jon Nunnally (Indianapolis) and infielder Tom Evans (Doube-A Altoona) were suspended for 15 games each. All of the suspensions resulted from testing done in 2004.

"We don't condone, and frankly [we] have zero tolerance in regards to drugs and testing positive," said Littlefield. "In our situation, we have been informing [players] for years that we don't believe in [drugs], and we don't condone them."

Of the three players who were suspended, only Evans was a member of the organization during the time of the violation. Mallette and Nunnally were signed in the offseason as six-year Minor League free agents.

"The positive thing is that Tom Evans is the only one, at this point, who has tested positive who was part of our organization [at the time of testing]," said Littlefield. "It is something that also [indicates] that the drug testing policy is working."

Nunnally, 33, hit .216 in 79 games with Indianapolis in 2004 as a member of the Brewers' organization. Mallette, 30, was 1-0 with a 2.27 ERA in 40 games with the Reds' Triple-A Louisville affiliate. Evans, 30, batted .308 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 33 games with Altoona after beginning the season with Tabasco in the Mexican League.

Littlefield said that the team does not plan to take additional disciplinary action against the players when they become eligible for reinstatement.

Bucs bits: Injured catcher Humberto Cota, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list to start the season because of a strained left oblique, did not participate in batting practice with the team on Wednesday. It is likely that he'll spend from two to five days on a Minor League rehab assignment before returning to the Pirates. Cota is eligible to return from the DL on April 10. ... David Ross, who was acquired from the Dodgers during the final week of Spring Training, is expected to make his first start behind the plate Thursday night against the Padres. ... Pirates second baseman Jose Castillo left Wednesday's game in the third inning after suffering a left oblique strain. He was replaced in the field by Rob Mackowiak.