Battered Gagne Beats Himself Up

Rookie pitcher Eric Gagne had another rough outing Wednesday in a 6-6 tie with the New York Mets at Thomas J. White Stadium.

Gagne gave up seven hits and five earned runs in four innings, walking three and striking out two. He has been pounded in three Grapefruit League outings, but that doesn’t matter to Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone and Manager Davey Johnson.

The young right-hander already has made the rotation on the strength of his five-start September audition last season and the positive signs he has shown even during his difficult spring stretch. Of course, that hasn’t satisfied the competitive Gagne.

He said he doesn’t want to think about being on the team because he’s playing so poorly. “I always start slow in spring training,” he said. “I wanted it to be different this year but it’s not.

“I’m always a slow starter and I hate that. I want to have fun, and the only way you can have fun is to win. I know it’s only spring training, you’re just trying to get your work in, but I always want to win.”

Malone appreciates Gagne’s attitude.

“That’s one of the reasons he has a chance to be special,” Malone said. “He has good stuff, but a lot of guys have that. To go to that next level you need heart, determination and drive.

“He’s not the type of kid who will sit back and think he has made it. He’s always going to evaluate himself and focus on the things he can improve. We just have to make sure he’s not too hard on himself.”

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Unable to trade Craig Counsell, the Dodgers released the middle infielder, making him a free agent.

Malone tried to move Counsell during the last few days but couldn’t complete a deal. The Dodgers acquired Counsell from the Florida Marlins last season.

In 50 games with the Dodgers, Counsell batted .259 with nine runs batted in.

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Non-roster shortstop Kevin Elster, assured a spot on the opening-day roster barring injury, hit a solo home run against the Mets.

Elster, 35, played under Johnson with the Mets in the late ‘80s, and he’s still among the manager’s favorite players.

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Pitcher Carlos Perez, struggling to earn a spot on the club, has been formally charged with suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Perez will be arraigned April 18 in Indian River County Court.