Pirates-Dodgers series finale rained out

Thursday's scheduled game against the Los Angeles Dodgers was postponed due to rain. The makeup game has yet to be determined.

Fans holding tickets for tonight’s game can use those tickets for the makeup game or can exchange those tickets for any remaining home game during the 2011 regular season, excluding the following games.

• June 3 vs. Philadelphia
• June 4 vs. Philadelphia
• June 5 vs. Philadelphia
• June 24 vs. Boston
• June 25 vs. Boston
• June 26 vs. Boston
• July 9 vs. Chicago
• August 6 vs. San Diego
• September 24 vs. Cincinnati

Fans who would like to exchange tickets for Thursday night’s game may do so in person at the PNC Park Ticket Office or by mailing the unused tickets for the game to:  PITTSBURGH PIRATES Ticket Office, P.O. Box 7000, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Fans having additional ticketing questions should call the Pirates at 1-800-BUY-BUCS or visit pirates.com/raincheck.

McCUTCHEN BENCHED
Center fielder Andrew McCutchen was taken out of the Pirates' lineup for Thursday's night's game as punishment for not running out a dropped third strike in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Dodgers. On a 1-2 count against L.A.'s Matt Guerrier, McCutchen was ruled to have swung at a slider in the dirt that bounced away from catcher Rod Barajas. McCutchen flipped his bat over his shoulder, turned and picked it up, and walked toward the dugout as Barajas trotted after the ball and threw to first baseman James Loney for the out.

Xavier Paul, claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in late April, got the start in center field in McCutchen's place.

WALKER, TABATA RETURN TO THE LINEUP
Second baseman Neil Walker and left fielder Jose Tabata returned to the lineup Thursday night. Both missed Wednesday night's contest -- Walker was scratched with flu-like symptoms and Tabata was given the night off to put in extra work on his swing, which has gone sour during a slump that has dropped his 2011 OPS below .700. Tabata remained in the two-hole Thursday, and Walker hit cleanup.

HART THROWS OFF THE MOUND
Pirates right-hander Kevin Hart, on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from shoulder surgery last May, threw off the mound at PNC Park prior to Thursday night's game. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in July of 2009 along with recently-activated reliever Jose Ascanio and minor league infielder Josh Harrison for Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow, Hart didn't make an appearance for the Pirates in 2010.

KUO BACK ON THE DL FOR THE DODGERS; ELBERT RECALLED FROM TRIPLE-A
Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety disorder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Kuo, a key member of L.A.'s pen who struck out nearly 11 batters per nine innings last season, was just activated from the DL on May 1 after suffering a lower back injury in April. Limited to 4.2 innings this year, the left-hander has allowed 7 runs while walking six batters. His fastball averaged 94.3 MPH last year, but just 92.6 MPH in 2011, according to Fangraphs.com.

Lefty Scott Elbert was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Kuo's place in the bullpen. The 25-year-old was the Dodgers' first round pick in the 2004 draft.