Night Off for Gagne

The offer has been rejected.

That’s what Manager Jim Tracy indicated in saying closer Eric Gagne, willing to work every day if needed, would “not pitch under any circumstances” Saturday against the New York Mets.

After watching Gagne throw 73 pitches the previous three games -- including 40 in a two-inning stint Wednesday -- Tracy decided he had seen enough, at least for now. Tracy informed Gagne of his decision in a pre-game meeting with pitching coach Jim Colborn. He acknowledged the conversation was one-sided.

“You do get to a point and time where you have to step in and say, ‘Pull the reins back,’ ” said Tracy, who has been criticized at times for using Gagne four days in a row. “In the best interest of Eric Gagne, his career and this organization, we’re pulling ‘em back.”

The record-setting right-hander reluctantly accepted the situation.

“I get paid to pitch,” said Gagne, who has given up only 30 hits while striking out 113 in 66 innings. “When he tells me to pitch, I pitch. When he tells me I can’t pitch, I’m not pitching. I told him I felt all right, and he told me it was better off this way.”

Gagne earned his 43rd save in Friday’s 2-1 victory over the Mets, extending his major league record for converted save chances to start a season. He also tied Tom Gordon’s record streak of 43 consecutive saves in one season.

And with his 51st consecutive save spanning two seasons, Gagne became only the second pitcher, joining Gordon, to accomplish that feat.

Despite his recent heavy workload, Gagne has not experienced pain in his pitching arm, team medical personnel told Tracy.

And Tracy wants to keep it that way.

“I feel somewhat responsible for him, in the fact that this guy has an awful lot going on for himself,” Tracy said. “I have no interest whatsoever in cutting it short because of [using him] too much.”

However, Tracy would not rule out turning to Gagne often down the stretch in the National League wild-card race.

Gagne said he’s waiting.

“You want to give me a day off, all right,” he said. “But I’m still going to do all my routine, and I’ll be ready.”

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Outfielder Jeromy Burnitz sat out his second game in a row because of a strained right groin.

Burnitz said he isn’t sure when the injury occurred, though he believes it might have happened against the Chicago Cubs during the final game of the previous trip.

“It’s a little better than [Friday], but I’m not good to go right now,” said Burnitz. “... It’s definitely day-to-day right now.”

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Kazuhisa Ishii, sidelined since Aug. 2 because of a sprained ligament in his left knee, is scheduled to have another bullpen session today and face batters Wednesday.

If all goes well, Ishii could be activated to start Saturday against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

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Hideo Nomo, who leads the league with 190 1/3 innings, needs only 9 2/3 innings to trigger a clause in his contract that would increase his 2004 salary to $9 million.