Gagne Would Have Sat, Regardless

Eric Gagne’s services were not needed Sunday, but even if the Dodgers had a one- or two-run lead in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox, Manager Jim Tracy had no intention of going to his dominant closer for a fifth consecutive day.

“He won’t even pick up a ball today,” Tracy said before the Dodgers’ 9-6 victory. “He can hand out candy in the bullpen, pick up water bottles, whatever [reliever] Jesse Orosco wants him to do. But he will not come through that bullpen gate.”

Gagne, who recorded four straight saves Wednesday through Saturday and leads the major leagues with 27, didn’t agree with the decision, but his objection was overruled.

“Eric is not real happy,” Tracy said. “It was not a screaming and shouting situation, but he feels like he can pitch.”

Since his only blown save of the season, on May 7 at Atlanta, Gagne has converted 17 straight save opportunities. He has been remarkably efficient--Gagne has thrown more than 20 pitches in only seven of 36 appearances and is averaging 14.3 pitches an inning.

Some have questioned whether Tracy is running the risk of burning out Gagne, who has entered games in the eighth inning six times, but Tracy is not concerned.

“Innings aren’t important--you keep your eye on pitch counts,” Tracy said. “I’m not going to let him get tired.”

*

Guillermo Mota threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday, lowering his earned-run average to 2.82 in 14 games, and the right-hander, whose mechanics needed an overhaul after he was acquired from Montreal for Matt Herges this spring, has emerged as a capable middle-relief replacement for Omar Daal, who is now in the rotation.

ON DECK

Opponent--Colorado Rockies, four games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 13 tonight, Fox Sports Net 2 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

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

Records--Dodgers 46-28, Rockies 37-38.

Record vs. Rockies--7-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KAZUHISA ISHII

(11-2, 3.54 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

MIKE HAMPTON

(3-8, 7.07 ERA)

Update--Hampton, in the second year of an eight-year, $121-million contract, has struggled so much this season the Rockies have contemplated demoting him to the bullpen.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Odalis Perez (8-3, 2.52) vs. John Thomson (6-6, 5.12).

Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (7-5, 3.62) vs. Shawn Chacon (3-4, 4.63).

Thursday, 6 p.m.--Omar Daal (5-3, 3.84) vs. Denny Neagle (4-4, 4.82).

Tickets--(213) 224-1448.