WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Rick Reed felt more like himself. He pitched more like himself, too.

Reed, trying to nail down a job as Pittsburgh's No. 5 starter, got his first victory of the spring on Sunday, working four sharp innings in the Pirates' 6-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.

"He did what he wanted to do with the ball," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "That's the kind of Rick Reed we're all used to seeing over the years."

The 39-year-old Reed made his first appearance in a major league game since March 10 because of a stiff lower back. The right-hander, who began his career with Pittsburgh in 1988, had pitched poorly against minor leaguers on Wednesday.

Another bad outing could have endangered his chances of beating out Ryan Vogelsong for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation.

But Reed came through, allowing one run and four hits with four strikeouts.

"I was able to throw strikes with all my pitches," said Reed, who went 6-12 with Minnesota last season. "The other day I only had my fastball. I was happy that I was able to throw strikes and feel normal again."

Pittsburgh's Raul Mondesi hit a monstrous home run over the left-field bleachers and into a tree in the sixth inning. Bobby Hill connected in the seventh for the Pirates.

Cleveland's No. 3 starter Cliff Lee walked five in 3 2-3 innings.

Reed signed as a non-roster in January and said he was only guaranteed a chance to make the roster. And while he hasn't been overly impressive this spring, his experience may sway the Pirates to give him a starting job.

Vogelsong is scheduled to pitch Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds - a few hours after the Pirates meet to discuss their roster.

Reed hasn't been told anything yet, and said McClendon didn't give him any clue as to what might happen.

"They only told me, 'Go down to the bullpen and throw nine more pitches,'" he joked. "And after the game, 'the bus leaves in 45 (minutes).'"

The Pirates are also considering rookie left-hander Sean Burnett in the No. 5 spot, but he'll more likely start the year in Triple-A. The 21-year-old, who led the Eastern League with 14 wins last season, shut out the Indians for 3 2-3 innings Sunday.

"We've been looking for guys to step up all spring," McClendon said. "I would say our decisions are tougher now than they were a week ago. That's good. you want to have tough decisions at this time of spring. I think all three guys have made pretty strong cases for

themselves." Notes: Indians C Josh Bard will be

sidelined for a few days with a strained groin he sustained running the bases on Saturday. Bard is competing with Tim Laker for the backup job and the timing of the injury doesn't help his chances. "I don't want to hurry back," he said. "But I know I need to get back to make the team." ... By trading INF Ricky Gutierrez to the New York Mets, Cleveland will save some money and have opened roster spots for utilitymen Lou Merloni and John McDonald. ... Burnett slightly rolled his ankle in the eighth and left the game, but the injury isn't serious.