PITTSBURGH -- It was nearly one month ago when I suggested that Pirates fans stay away from bridges for awhile. The rotation was a mess because of injuries and ineffectiveness, all right, but it wouldn't be until mid-May that we could begin to pass judgment on the staff as a whole.

Well, mid-May is here, and ever since a forgettable 17-3 loss against the Brewers in Milwaukee last month, the pitchers have done better, much better.

Would you believe a whole 3.3-runs-per-game better?

In the first 19 games, the team allowed a ridiculous 146 runs, an average of 7.8 per game. The number is a bit deceptive -- second-line pitchers were used to mop up several blowout losses – but a team can't allow eight runs and win in some beer leagues let alone the major leagues.

But in the 21 games since then, the group allowed 91 runs, or more reasonable 4.5 per game, which would rank ninth in the middle of the pack. That includes four clunkers in which they allowed nine runs or more.

In Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Ross Ohlendorf, rotation should have three reliable options. Charlie Morton and Brian Burres have been hit or miss in the four and five spots, but Morton has too much natural talent to write off this soon. And Brad Lincoln is only a phone call away. The Indianapolis farmhand retired the first 16 batters in his last start.

The relievers? They've been the team MVPs so far.

There's room for improvement no doubt, but the last few weeks tell us the arrow is pointed mostly north right now.