Gagne Now a Committee of One

In an announcement that had all the suspense of an intentional walk, Manager Jim Tracy confirmed what most Dodgers suspected for weeks: Eric Gagne is the team’s closer. The closer by committee is adjourned.

“I talked to him [Friday] and told him the ninth-inning job is his to lose,” Tracy said. “I was still going through different scenarios in my mind, but [Thursday’s game against San Francisco] definitely answered my questions.”

Gagne, who was converted from starter to reliever in spring training, escaped a first-and-third, one-out jam by striking out cleanup batter Jeff Kent and retiring Reggie Sanders on a fly ball to save the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Giants.

“I don’t know what scenario you could create from a pressure standpoint that could match [that],” Tracy said. “He handled it with grit, a lot of moxie and character. It was like he wanted to be out there in that situation.”

Against the Padres Friday, Gagne pitched a perfect ninth to record his fourth save. He hasn’t allowed a run this season, striking out nine in 7 2/3 innings. But the true test, he and Tracy admit, will come when he blows a save.

“From what I’ve seen, I’m confident he’ll bounce back if that happens,” Tracy said.

Said Gagne: “If I mess one up, I have to come back and do it again. I’m going to be able to do it because I’m mentally strong.”

Trenidad Hubbard, the former Dodger utility player who started in center field for the Padres Friday night, holds the roster spot that would have belonged to Mike Darr, the outfielder who was killed in a one-car accident a few miles from the club’s Peoria, Ariz., spring-training base on Feb. 15.

Hubbard, a journeyman who is in his 17th professional season and has played for 12 different minor league teams, signed with San Diego soon after Darr’s death and won a roster spot by hitting .415 with three homers and 15 RBIs this spring.

“It was a very awkward situation, coming into a place where the team really loved this guy,” Hubbard said. “Mike Darr will always be a part of this team. He did so well, and he had great alliances with his teammates.

“It was kind of intimidating. ... But the transition has been easier because of the open arms I felt when I arrived.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(1-1, 5.73 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

BRIAN TOLLBERG

(0-2, 15.58 ERA)

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego,

7 p.m.

TV--Channel 13.

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

Update--Dodger utility infielder Alex Cora made his first start this season at shortstop Friday night, giving Cesar Izturis his first night off. Brown will look to build on the momentum he started with Sunday’s seven-inning, four-hit, no-run effort in a 6-4 win over Colorado. Tollberg gave up seven runs and 10 hits in six innings of his last start Sunday against the Giants.

Mike DiGiovanna