Gagne to Tracy: Just Give Me the Ball

Closer Eric Gagne hopes to shoulder even more responsibility as the Dodgers battle for the National League wild-card berth.

Gagne said Saturday he told Manager Jim Tracy to lean on him as much as needed down the stretch, believing he can pitch as many as “six or seven days in a row, if that’s what it takes.”

Although Tracy has at times used Gagne four consecutive days during the right-hander’s remarkable two-year run, he said he would be reluctant to turn to him for five in a row.

But the offer is on the table, and Gagne is ready to deliver.

“Every win is so important right now, and I just want to help us make the playoffs,” said Gagne, who Friday established a record for consecutive saves to start a season with his 39th.

“It’s not about days in a row, it’s about how I feel. I’ve had a lot of days off the last month and a half, and I don’t have any fatigue from May, June or July because they treat me so well here. My arm is in great shape. It’s a matter of pitch count and how I feel that day.”

Gagne, who wasn’t needed in Saturday’s 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs, had saves in the team’s previous four games and appeared in five in a row, though the Dodgers had a day off Monday. Because of his efficiency (Gagne averages only 14.6 pitches per outing), Tracy is comfortable using Gagne more frequently than most teams utilize closers.

Gagne said the situation doesn’t matter to him, as long as he can help the Dodgers in their playoff pursuit.

“I can go out there six or seven days, but it all depends on what type of game I have [on the fifth day],” said Gagne, 91 of 95 in save opportunities. “If I go out there and walk two guys and throw 30 pitches, I won’t be able to go six days. If I get some people out, without that much effort or without that many throws, I can go out there for six or seven straight.

“I think there have been three times this year that I got up [in the bullpen], sat down and got up again. There’s not that many closers that can say they warmed up and went into the game every time. That’s awesome. Trace knows that I’m not going to do anything to hurt the team. If I can’t get three outs, I’ll tell him. He’s the guy who makes the decision, but I’m ready if he needs me.”

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First baseman Fred McGriff, out since July 4 because of groin and knee injuries, is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment Monday.

McGriff said he “felt pretty good” after running the bases for the second day in a row, and should be ready for games soon.

Unless he suffers a setback, McGriff would leave with the team tonight as it begins a seven-game trip to Florida and Chicago.

He would play Monday and Tuesday for Class-A Vero Beach, Wednesday for the club’s rookie team in the Gulf Coast League and rejoin the Dodgers on Thursday for the final game of a four-game series against the Florida Marlins.

McGriff expects to return to the starting lineup.

“I’m not coming back just to hang out,” he said. “I don’t think they got me over here to be a reserve.”

General Manager Dan Evans acquired Robin Ventura to play first base while McGriff was sidelined. Ventura was a Gold Glove third baseman earlier in his career, but Adrian Beltre has been productive recently.

So how’s this going to work?

“We won’t discuss that today,” Tracy said. “We’ll cross bridges when we come to them.”

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Todd Hundley, who has played in only 12 games and is rehabilitating from back surgery, continued to take batting practice in the indoor cages and catch in bullpen sessions, Tracy said.... Injured starter Kazuhisa Ishii (strained knee ligament) is scheduled to have a bullpen session today.