"Lastings Milledge did not complain when the Pirates platooned him in right field with a sub-.200 average Ryan Church, and he is not about to complain now that he is starting twice in every handful of games.

"No, I'm not complaining," Milledge said Monday. "It's not personal. I know JR loves the way I play, I know Neal loves the way I play."

That would be manager John Russell and general manager Neal Huntington.

"It's just sometimes certain situations things don't work out for the time being. I just feel like, when I get my opportunity, I'm going to make the best of it, whether it's two times a week or three times a week. When I get in there I need to make up for lost time. That's the approach I've been taking. The last couple guys I faced have been No. 1 starters."

That would be Florida's Josh Johnson and New York's Johan Santana. Milledge went 1 for 3 off each, with a home run off the brilliant Santana.

"I could easily fall into that trap, but I don't care who's out there right now, anytime I get an opportunity I'm going to take advantage of it. I can't control how much playing time I get, but I can control my energy level when I get in the game. Whether I start or pinch-hit, I'm going to be the most ready guy on the team. That's something I take pride in."

Milledge, in the lineup for a second consecutive game Monday after being benched for five of the previous six, was batting .273 overall, .298 in his past 48 starts. But he has lost time mostly because of the Pirates' attempt to indoctrinate Ryan Doumit in right field."