Kevin Conrad, who runs the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park, had to make more than his usual amount of decisions over the weekend.

With the New York Mets -- and their imminent clinching of the National League East championship present, Conrad had to decide each day whether to let down the protective plastic that would cover players' lockers if the Mets had their champagne party.

He also had to decide about whether to bring out the 300 bottles of champagne that were on ice.

And were on ice.

And stayed on ice.

"We've been draining it and re-icing it [since Friday night]," Conrad said before yesterday's game. "It's probably nice and cold."

With yesterday's 3-0 Pirates win, Conrad helped load all that champagne on the Mets' equipment truck. The Mets can clinch tonight at home against Florida.

But had they clinched at PNC Park, Conrad had his postgame plan down pat.

"Just stand around and watch," he said. "And stay out of the way."

A later celebration

Jeromy Burnitz, who began his professional career in 1990 in the Mets' organization, didn't want to watch his former team clinch the division at PNC Park.

"You don't want a team to clinch on your field -- period," he said.

However ...

"You are happy for guys," Burnitz said. "We know the Mets are going to win. I really am glad for the Mets -- me personally -- because they spent a lot of dough over the years and had a lot of disappointments. I'm happy that a plan has come together for them this year."

A baseball atmosphere

Pirates manager Jim Tracy loved the lively atmosphere at PNC Park over the weekend -- an atmosphere boosted by the attendance of several thousand Mets fans.

"It's been great -- it's been great," Tracy said. "Our fans have been great all year."

Tracy thinks PNC Park has something to do with the improvement.

"It's changed dramatically since the opening of PNC Park," Tracy said. "Three Rivers [Stadium] was a tough place to come into as a visiting player, manager, coach, trainer. It was one of those cookie-cutter types. It had the Astroturf. With PNC Park, it's a real baseball atmosphere. It's different. There's just a lot of neat things about it."

Duffy has been dandy

One neat thing about PNC Park recently is Chris Duffy.

The center fielder yesterday went 2 for 3, stole a base and scored two runs. Since Aug. 11, Duffy has hit .326 (44 for 135) with 15 stolen bases and 27 runs scored.

Since Aug. 11, the Pirates are 21-14. Coincidence?

Just win, baby

The Pirates would love to be big-time players in the free-agent market this winter as they search for a right-handed veteran starting pitcher and a left-handed power bat.

"The desire is there. We have the dollars," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "Generally, though, [big free agents] have gone to teams that have won. So our biggest thing is to win. You have to win first."

Nady ends tailspin

Xavier Nady snapped an 0-for-21 streak with a double off the right-field wall in the sixth inning.

A six-man rotation

Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, who pitched four innings Saturday night in his return from left-elbow tendinitis, is scheduled to start again Friday night in San Diego. He'll be pitching on five days rest.

The Pirates, off today, begin a three-game series in Los Angeles tomorrow night. Probable Pirates starters are Ian Snell, Shawn Chacon and Paul Maholm.

Zach Duke is scheduled to start Saturday night in San Diego, with Shane Youman starting Sunday. Thus, the Pirates -- finally -- will have a six-man rotation.

Snell, who has 13 wins, will be given every opportunity to reach 15 victories. He's scheduled to start the first game of the next homestand Sept. 26 against Houston. And he'd start again in the final game of the season Oct. 1 against Cincinnati if he needs that start to get a 15th win.