"Say what you will about spring training stats, it's still hard to look at Ross Ohlendorf's numbers and not have some misgivings going into the 2011 season.

The right-hander entered his sixth and final spring training start Tuesday against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park with an 0-4 record and a 10.05 ERA. He left after four innings of the Pirates' 8-5 loss after allowing six runs (four earned) and seven hits. He struck out one, walked one, plunked three batters and threw 94 pitches, 55 for strikes.

One person who has no doubts about his preparedness, however, is Ohlendorf.

"I wish spring training had gone better, but I feel like I'm ready," said Ohlendorf, who was battling a cold. "I felt like (Tuesday), even though the results were kind of similar to the others, I felt like I threw the ball much better.

"With the exception of a couple at-bats, I felt like I wasn't getting hit as hard as I was last game. I felt like the ball was coming out much better, and (catcher Ryan) Doumit did, too. I'm definitely going in the right direction.""