Gagne Filled With Relief

Eric Gagne kept the faith during the losses and no-decisions, but confidence erodes without success.

The Dodger rookie pitcher needed positive reinforcement and got it Tuesday night in a 7-1 interleague victory over the Texas Rangers.

Gagne (1-3) ended his winless streak with his best performance of the season before 35,847 at The Ballpark in Arlington. He pitched six-plus scoreless innings and struck out seven in earning his second big-league victory and easing his burden not a moment too soon.

“I always said I wasn’t putting pressure on myself but I really was,” said Gagne, who gave up five hits and walked three. “There’s always pressure to break the ice, and I was [upset] I didn’t have a win because I want to do my job and help my team.

“I feel like a lot of weight is off my shoulders because I do put a lot of pressure on myself. I know I shouldn’t but I do. It just feels good to get the first one.”

Manager Davey Johnson appeared almost as relieved.

“That’s more like the Gagne we expect to see,” said Johnson, whose team improved to 30-25. “His work was the best of the game because we have to have him [succeed]. He’s got to get established and get on a roll.”

Tuesday’s outing could help.

Gagne was aggressive against the Rangers (30-27). He mixed a sharp fastball and changeup while lowering his earned-run average from 4.35 to 3.77 with his fourth quality start in eight overall.

With the Dodgers leading, 6-0, in the seventh, Johnson removed Gagne after David Segui doubled and Chad Curtis walked. Terry Adams entered and escaped the jam.

Gagne got a scare in the fifth when first base umpire Gary Cederstrom ruled that Scarborough Green hit a two-run home run down the right-field line. TV replays showed the ball was clearly foul and the rest of the crew overruled Cederstrom after he requested help.

“The replays showed it,” said Johnson, who immediately ran from the dugout to argue the call. “I would have hated to see that mar that effort.”

Gagne wasn’t fazed.

“I knew it was foul,” he said. “It was a hard call for the umpire because he had to turn around real fast [and locate the ball]. It was good he asked for help.”

Gagne’s teammates did their part to help him. They supported Gagne with 14 hits, including three by Mark Grudzielanek.

Grudzielanek also scored three runs. Gary Sheffield and Dave Hansen each had two runs batted in.

The Dodgers took charge in the scoreless game with a four-run fifth inning against Texas starter Mark Clark (3-4). Ivan Rodriguez’s solo blast in the eighth--his 19th homer--against Adams provided the Rangers with their only run. Mike Fetters pitched the ninth.

Gagne was eager for his first complete game but took it one step at a time. Getting the victory was the key for Gagne and Johnson.

“I was going to make sure he got it,” Johnson said of Gagne, who threw 64 strikes in 105 pitches. “It was big for Gagne and it was big for the club.”

Johnson has been forced to shuffle the rotation because of the schedule and personnel issues. Gagne often has been the odd man out--and that’s not the way to develop top pitching prospects.

“I’ve said I take the blame for that,” Johnson said. “I haven’t been able to get him regular work, but he just pitched a great game. That’s the type of pitcher we expect him to be.”

Gagne won’t make excuses for his past performances.

“It doesn’t matter whether you go out there every five days, six days, seven days or eight days, you still have to perform,” said Gagne, who earned his first major league victory Oct. 1 against the Houston Astros. “I haven’t done that, but I think this should help.”