Worth noting

• After catching the team's last five games, catcher Yadier Molina was on the bench for Wednesday's series finale against the Reds. Molina, who has been bothered by right knee trouble, will get two consecutive days off since the team is idle on Thursday. Asked why Molina was out of the lineup, Matheny said the catcher "needed a day."

• The Pirates have announced that they will start Francisco Liriano (14-6, 2.74 ERA) against the Cardinals on Friday and A.J. Burnett (6-9, 3.18 ERA) on Saturday. Sunday's starter, however, remained undetermined after Pittsburgh optioned lefty Jeff Locke.

• Double-A Springfield third baseman Ruben Gotay and outfielder Mike O'Neill have been named to the Texas League Postseason All-Star Team. Gotay, 30, is batting .277 with 16 homers, 86 RBI, 73 runs scored and 30 doubles in 127 games this year. O'Neill, 25, boasted a .320 average with 66 runs scored and 35 RBIs in 98 games before he was promoted to Triple-A on July 31.

• With an 8-2 win against New Orleans on Tuesday, Triple-A Memphis pulled within one game of division-leading Omaha. Memphis has six games remaining on its schedule as it tries to secure a spot in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Outfielder Jamie Romak had four hits, including a homer, and four RBIs in Tuesday's win.