CINCINNATI -- Jim Tracy indicated yesterday he would like to see the Pirates sign utility player Jose Hernandez for next season.

"I think it's fairly safe to say there's probably an opportunity for a continuation," Tracy said. "I'm hopeful of that. Does he continue to make sense for this ballclub? I would like to think that at the moment the answer to that is yes.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Saturday's results INDIANAPOLIS (69-59) swept a doubleheader with Richmond, 6-4 and 3-2. In the first game, LHP Sean Burnett (8-9, 5.50) allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out two, walked one and threw 57 of 89 pitches for strikes. RHP Jonah Bayliss (1.67) pitched two scoreless innings for his 22nd save. In the nightcap, RHP John Van Benschoten (0-0, 3.00), making his first Class AAA rehabilitation start, allowed two runs and two hits in six innings. He struck out five, walked two and threw 49 of 87 pitches for strikes. RHP Brian Rogers (0.00) pitched one scoreless inning for his first save. ALTOONA (69-53) had its game with Harrisburg suspended by rain after four innings. It will be completed today as part of a doubleheader. LHP Mike Connolly (7-6, 4.68) allowed five runs, two earned, in four innings. C Neil Walker (.222) hit his second home run and went 1 for 2. CF Andrew McCutchen (.375) also went 2 for 2. LYNCHBURG (53-71) won at Wilmington, 7-1. RHP Derek Hankins (4-10, 4.30) allowed one run in seven innings. RHP Steve Duguay (3.16) pitched two scoreless innings for his 12th save. LF Mike Carlin (.275) went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. HICKORY (61-63) lost to Greensboro, 8-4. RHP Luis Valdez (7-6, 4.24) allowed eight runs in five innings. 2B Shelby Ford (.263) went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. WILLIAMSPORT (20-35) won at Vermont, 4-1. RHP Kyle Pearson (2-3, 3.98) allowed one run in eight innings. 3B Jared Keel (.282) and LF Alex Presley (.33) each went 3 for 4.

"Whether it will be done is a completely different issue. But do you like what you've gotten from the player and do you like what he brings to the table from the standpoint of a bench player? Very definitely."

Hernandez was in the Pirates' lineup last night primarily because he was 7 for 19 with two home runs lifetime against Cincinnati starter Eric Milton.

"If you match him up correctly, he can do some very good things for you offensively," Tracy said. "And you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that there's a better 25th man in all of baseball. His playing time has been fairly sporadic, but he's hitting [.267]. He's as a good a defensive player as we have regardless of where he plays.

"But there's so much more to this guy. The person himself? In the six years I've been managing, there are some people very high up on the list, but his name would be right up there among some of the finest people I've managed."

Hernandez, 37, entered last night's game on a 19-for-51 tear.

More rest for Bay?

Having missed three starts earlier in the week, Jason Bay is giving strong consideration to taking more days off next season.

Bay started 307 consecutive games until missing a game last Monday because of a hamstring strain.

He returned to the lineup Friday night.

"I felt good, refreshed," Bay said. "Nobody wants to take three days off, but hopefully it's something that will kind of catapult you over the last six weeks of the season and give you a little more juice."

That gave him a different perspective on playing every day.

"Before, it was like there was no question [that he'd play]," Bay said. "We were just going to keep going. Now, if they said, 'Hey, would you take a day, depending on how you're feeling?' I think it would be a lot easier to say yes."

Bay's new mind-set comes against the backdrop of Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki not starting for the Mariners Friday night. Ichiro, in a 15-for-77 slide over 18 games, did pinch-hit in the eighth inning, keeping intact his playing streak of 361 consecutive games, but that streak might not last much longer.

Doumit to Indianapolis

Ryan Doumit, who has been rehabbing a torn hamstring with the Pirates' Bradenton team in the Gulf Coast League, will head for Class AAA Indianapolis within a day or two.

Sharpless gets 'boot'

Reliever Josh Sharpless, on the disabled list because of a right ankle sprain, yesterday threw his third bullpen session after being fitted with a special boot-like shoe.

"I was just getting the ankle taped," Sharpless said, "but I don't know if I'm a big wuss or what, but the tape would cut off the circulation."

Sharpless is eligible to come off the disabled list next weekend, but it's more likely he won't be activated until Sept. 1 when rosters can be expanded.

Perez struggling

Oliver Perez, traded to the New York Mets July 31 as part of the Xavier Nady deal, was scheduled to make his fourth start for the Mets' Class AAA Norfolk affiliate last night. In his first three starts for Norfolk, Perez was 0-2 and allowed 17 hits, including four home runs, 10 walks and 13 runs (all earned) in 21 1/3 innings