LOS ANGELES -- Eric Gagne has a message for the Pirates:

Give Jim Tracy a chance.

"Hey, this is Pittsburgh. It's not going to change overnight," Los Angeles' star closer was saying in the Dodgers' clubhouse yesterday. "They had a lot of years where they didn't perform well, a lot of losing seasons. It's not going to get turned around overnight because of the manager. He's going to help. A lot. But he's not going to do it right away."

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Friday's results INDIANAPOLIS (39-34) beat Richmond, 1-0. RHP Marty McLeary (0-2, 2.49) pitched five scoreless innings. He struck out five and walked one. RHP Jonah Bayliss (1.77) pitched three scoreless innings of relief and struck out five. ALTOONA (43-29) lost at Harrisburg, 6-4. RHP Ron Chiavacci (0-0, 3.44) allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings. RHP Chris Hernandez (2.37) allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning for a blown save. 2B Craig Stansberry (.256) went 4 for 5 with a triple and double. SS Javier Guzman (.251) went 2 for 5 with his fourth home run. LYNCHBURG (35-39) lost to Myrtle Beach, 9-8. RHP Matt Guillory (4-3, 6.81) allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings. 1B Steve Pearce (.278) went 1 for 4 with his seventh home run, a three-run shot. C Neil Walker (.273) went 2 for 4 and was caught stealing. HICKORY (33-38) lost to Greenville, 2-0. RHP Luis Munoz (4-2, 2.28) allowed two runs in six innings. SS Brent Lillibridge (.291) went 2 for 4 with a triple. CF Andrew McCutchen (.281) went 0 for 4 with his 14th stolen base. WILLIAMSPORT (1-2) lost at Mahoning Valley, 5-2. RHP Steve MacFarland (0-1, 4.50) allowed two runs, one earned, in two innings.

Gagne noted that Tracy took over the Dodgers in 2001 with a fairly young group and won the West Division three years later.

"He's got a contract there for three years, and the guys there are going to have to adjust to his style. It takes time. Be patient. Let him manage his style. You'll see. He knows the game as much as anybody. Everything about it. You've got to buy into it what he's teaching and believe in it, and it's going to come together."

Tracy has been criticized in some corners -- including the Pirates' clubhouse -- for calling attention to players' mistakes while never assuming blame for any aspect of the team's dismal record.

Gagne made clear his view that the onus was where it should be.

"There's not much he can do," Gagne said of Tracy. "The guys that are supposed to perform, they've got to go out there and perform. They've got to take responsibility. They get paid a lot of money to be out there. They have to take the responsibility. What do you want him to do? He can call a hit-and-run, call a steal, whatever ... but someone's got to be able to do it."

Other Los Angeles players expressed similar praise for Tracy.

"He's a good man and a good manager," third baseman Olmedo Saenz said. "He has a lot of respect for the players, but he expects a lot out of you. I can't say if he'll win in Pittsburgh. I don't know what their situation is, what kind of players they have in their system. But I know he knows the game, and I've seen him win here."

Outfielder Jason Repko was a rookie under Tracy last season, when the Dodgers finished 71-91.

"As a young player, I can tell you he did an exceptional job with me," Repko said. "I couldn't have felt any more comfortable, couldn't have had a better teacher."

Repko said Tracy maintained an even keel throughout Los Angeles' losing.

"But I'll tell you what: He cares. I know the man. I know how much losing bothers him. He's very driven, but he also knows how to handle things. He never lets things get out of hand, no matter what the situation is."

Tracy: No hard feelings

Tracy was surrounded by the Los Angeles media for nearly 90 minutes inside the Pirates' dugout before the game, fielding interview after interview, shaking hand after hand.

The message was consistent throughout.

"The wonderful times here far outweigh some of the adversity that happened along the way," Tracy said. "There were so many good things that happened. All that happened in the end was a change of philosophy between the front office and myself."

That was a reference to former general manager Paul DePodesta last year sending away players Tracy wanted to keep.

Tracy was asked if, ideally, he would have returned to Los Angeles 20 games over .500 rather than in the Pirates' current position.

"I don't think I have to feel that way coming here," Tracy replied. "I have seen things that suggest there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We have played 28 one-run games. Unfortunately, we've lost 21 of them, but we've shown we can give anybody a solid baseball game."

Buried treasure

Brad Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round draft pick, is not due to pitch in a game for another week or two. The team is easing him back into a starter's mode with a series of side sessions over the next few days.

Florida's state government passed into law legislation that will provide $500,000 for improvements to McKechnie Field, the Pirates' spring training stadium in Bradenton, Fla. The money will be used to install lights -- McKechnie is the only Grapefruit League facility without them -- as well as upgrades to the tiny visitor's clubhouse.

Monday at PNC Park, the Pirates will unveil a permanent exhibit to honor the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues. It will be just inside the left-field gate off General Robinson Street.