Martinez, Gagne Right Ship

The Dodgers survived without them, and frankly, there were times they were barely missed.

Yet, it took only a game such as Saturday’s for the Dodgers to fully appreciate starter Ramon Martinez and shortstop Greg Gagne, a 3-0 victory over the Houston Astros in front of a paid crowd of 37,844 at Dodger Stadium.

Martinez (6-1), who spent five weeks on the disabled list and pitched only nine innings since May 31, returned in dramatic fashion.

He pitched a seven-hitter for his first shutout since Aug. 23, 1995, and his first at Dodger Stadium since his July 14, 1995, no-hitter against the Florida Marlins. He now is 15-2 since last year’s All-Star break.

“I don’t worry about being the ace, I just want to do my job,” said Martinez, who recorded 25 of the 27 outs by strikeout, groundout or infield popup.

Martinez, who signed a three-year, $15-million contract, envisioned winning 20 games this season. But a torn groin muscle wiped out five weeks, flu ruined two starts and, until Saturday, he had not pitched longer than seven innings.

This night, he said he relied on the strength of this new daughter, Kisha, who was born Thursday.

“When my first daughter was born two years ago,” Martinez said, “I remember going back home for three or four days, and when I came back, I pitched a shutout against Cincinnati. Today when I walked into the game, I had that in my mind.

“It was very nice because I thought of my daughter the entire time.”

The shutout, Martinez’s 19th of his career and the first by a Dodger since Hideo Nomo in the home opener, largely was made possible by the play of Gagne.

Gagne, who sat out five weeks because of a sprained left ankle, returned to provide two hits, turn two key double plays and make another acrobatic play that will be on highlight films for the rest of the season.

“It felt good to be part of a win again,” said Gagne, who last played in a Dodger victory May 17. “I was telling guys after the game, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve been shaking hands on the field when I’ve played.’ ”

The duo, with an assist from Mike Piazza’s 17th homer of the season, enabled the Dodgers to maintain their lead in the National League West.

“This was a great win,” Manager Tom Lasorda said. “Ramon’s a winner. That’s why he’s the dean of the staff and why we signed him long term.

“And Gagne, he turned some big double plays, and, wow, how about that one play?”

It occurred with two outs in the fourth inning. Astro shortstop Orlando Miller hit a grounder between Gagne and third baseman Mike Blowers that appeared headed into left field. Gagne went deep into the hole, took two more steps into shallow left, spun and whipped the ball to first baseman Eric Karros.

The throw took Karros’ right foot off the bag by about six inches, but no matter, first-base umpire Charlie Williams called him out. Karros wasn’t about to argue and headed into the dugout while Astro Manager Terry Collins spent the entire time in between innings yelling at Williams.

“I was wondering why he even threw the ball,” Lasorda said, “I didn’t even think it was going to be close.”

Said Gagne: “I used to stop and get it and fire it. As I’m getting older, I can’t stop and spin on the dime like I used to. But I thought I had a chance, so I just sort of winged it.”

Gagne was a nemesis to the Astros the entire evening. Every time they threatened, there he was. He started double plays in the third and ninth inning.

Gagne’s hustle even stole a run in the third. He led off with an infield single. Martinez sacrificed him to second. Delino DeShields struck out. Roger Cedeno hit a chopper behind the first-base bag. First baseman Jeff Bagwell fielded the ball, and while tossing the ball to pitcher Shane Reynolds covering, Gagne kept running. Cedeno and Reynolds came down on the bag at the same time, Cedeno was safe, and by the time Reynolds realized what was happening, Gagne had scored.

“I can’t tell you how good this feels,” Gagne said.