Gagne’s Strong Outings Put Him Back in the Mix

Rookie right-hander Eric Gagne has reemerged in the Dodger plans because of his strong performance this month.

Gagne is 2-0 with a 2.25 earned-run average in his last two starts after going 1-6 with a 5.85 ERA in his first 15.

Gagne, who starts tonight at Dodger Stadium in the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, appears to have corrected the command problems that prompted the Dodgers to option him to triple-A Albuquerque on July 28.

Many in the organization believe Gagne will prosper next season in one of the rotation spots behind Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort and Chan Ho Park.

Team officials are rooting for Gagne because they would rather pursue only one, instead of two, free-agent pitchers to help solidify the group.

Gagne believes he is ready now, saying he flopped in an earlier audition.

“I just didn’t do the job,” Gagne said. “They gave me a spot in the rotation, they gave me everything I needed and did everything in their power for me, but I didn’t deliver.

“I put too much pressure on myself, I tried to do too much, and that just made it worse. I had to relax, find myself and come back to myself.

“That’s one thing that Orel [Hershiser] told me about pitching, that you have to know yourself, and the things you can do, to have success in this game. It sounds real simple, but I had to remind myself.”

Gagne said he might have collapsed mentally had it not been for the unwavering support of General Manager Kevin Malone and Manager Davey Johnson.

The fourth starter beginning spring training, Gagne failed to make the opening-day roster because he was 0-2 with a 15.63 ERA in Grapefruit League play.

Gagne said Malone and Johnson encouraged him while he shuttled between Albuquerque and Chavez Ravine this season, and Gagne disagrees with some who believe the club sacrificed his development because of the contracts of Hershiser and left-hander Carlos Perez.

“Orel and Carlos had nothing to do with it,” Gagne said. “I would have been in the rotation if I pitched well, but I didn’t do that. Those guys were in there because we needed them to help us win.

“It doesn’t matter if you pitch every five days, six days or whatever, the only thing that matters is that you do your job when you get your chances. It’s too easy to blame other people for your problems.”

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Paul LoDuca continues to impress in his bid to become the everyday catcher next season, working a strong game in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

LoDuca’s receiving and throwing helped Dreifort and relievers Terry Adams and Matt Herges shut down Arizona in completing a three-game sweep. Pitchers say they enjoy throwing to LoDuca, and some Dodger veterans believe LoDuca and Chad Kreuter will form an effective 2001 tandem.

Kreuter will return in a backup role, but the Dodgers must decide whether an inexperienced catcher should handle a veteran--and high-priced--staff.

The Dodgers plan to reemphasize pitching and defense, and catching is a big part of that.

Chairman Bob Daly appreciated the play of Charles Johnson during his brief Dodger career, and the four-time Gold Glove winner, now with the Chicago White Sox, is eligible for free agency.

Beginning play Thursday, Johnson, who has become an offensive force since Malone traded him in 1998, was batting .306 with 29 home runs and 84 runs batted in.

Johnson had thrown out 28.8% of baserunners, fourth in the American League, and teams had attempted to steal 73 bases against him, marking the second-fewest total among those in the top 10.

Johnson, making $4.6 million, might earn in excess of $9 million per season in his next contract. LoDuca will make slightly more than $200,000.

LoDuca or Johnson?

Only Daly has the answer.

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The second-place Dodgers have already been eliminated from the National League West race.

They would be eliminated from the wild-card race with any combination of five Dodger losses or New York Met victories.

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today and Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 81-72, Padres 74-79.

* Record vs. Padres--4-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ERIC GAGNE

(3-6, 5.38 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

JAY WITASICK

(3-2, 5.64 ERA)

* Update--Gagne has given up nine hits and three runs in 12 innings since being recalled from Albuquerque. Witasick has started 23 games and appeared in 31.

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (12-6, 2.63) vs. Woody Williams (10-6, 4.03).

* Sunday, 1 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (16-10, 3.53) vs. Matt Clement (13-15, 5.01).