This Gagne Save Is One for Books

The crowd again rose and applauded in anticipation as the bullpen gates opened Tuesday night and Eric Gagne jogged to the mound to do his thing.

This time, though, something was different, because 28,406 at Dodger Stadium were eager to witness a record-setting moment.

Gagne didn’t disappoint.

The major league’s most dominant closer was perfect again in setting an all-time record for consecutive saves while nailing down the Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

Gagne retired the four batters he faced to earn his 47th save in as many chances this season -- and 55th in a row spanning two seasons.

The second mark moved Gagne ahead of Tom Gordon, with whom since Sunday he had shared the record of 54 in a row. Gordon set the former record with Boston from 1998-99.

Gagne has been on the job for only two years, and records are already falling fast.

“They gave me the lead and I didn’t want to blow it,” said Gagne, whose cleats from Tuesday will be displayed at the Hall of Fame.

“I wanted to go one pitch at a time, stick with the basics and get out of there as fast as I could. I looked at [catcher David] Ross, and I was pretty happy with it.”

Fred McGriff provided most of the offense with his first multi-homer game as a Dodger and the 40th of his career, hitting homers Nos. 12 and 13 and driving in three runs. McGriff was three for four and has 491 career homers with 25 games remaining in the season, so 500 is within sight.

“It’s been on my mind a little bit,” the 17-year veteran said. “I’ve been playing in this league a long time.”

Shawn Green accounted for the other run with his major league-leading 45th double. The struggling right fielder, who revealed Monday he has been playing despite a damaged right shoulder since spring training, matched his career high and moved within two doubles of Wes Parker’s Los Angeles record of 47 set during the 1970 season.

But the night, as so many others have since Gagne moved to the bullpen last season, belonged to the burly goateed Canadian.

“I couldn’t be happier for Eric Gagne than I am tonight,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “He’s a strong Cy Young Award candidate.

“If we get to October, and he’s still pitching well ,there’s no doubt he should be the Cy Young award winner. No doubt.”

Gagne also extended his record for consecutive saves to start a season. He struck out Craig Biggio for the final out while receiving a standing ovation, and the Dodgers and Astros were even more impressed.

“He’s just been phenomenal all year, really ever since he’s been closing,” said catcher Paul Lo Duca, who sat out Tuesday’s game because of a sprained jaw. “He’s just so dominant, and every guy in here feeds off of what he does.”

Said Astro starter Tim Redding (8-14): “They have a man by the name of Gagne over there.”

The second-year closer’s most recent major accomplishment punctuated a victory that enabled the Dodgers to move back within 1 1/2 games of Florida and Philadelphia in the National League wild-card race.

The Dodgers (72-65) are alone in third place in a tight chase that includes seven teams within four games of the top spot.

The Astros (72-66) are a half game behind the Dodgers, who received another typically outstanding effort from baseball’s top pitching staff.

Starter Wilson Alvarez (3-1) provided the foundation in a five-inning, one-run outing, and then the bullpen went to work in front of Gagne.

Guillermo Mota pitched two scoreless innings, and Paul Quantrill got an out in the eighth before Richard Hidalgo doubled. Left-handed specialist Tom Martin struck out switch-hitter Lance Berkman, batting right-handed, and Tracy placed his final call to the bullpen.

Gagne struck out Brad Ausmus to end the eighth. In the ninth, pinch-hitter Mitch Meluskey popped out to shortstop Cesar Izturis, Jose Vizcaino flied to center fielder Dave Roberts and Gagne handled Biggio on his own.

“It feel great, but it’s more important that the team wins,” said Gagne, who has an earned-run average of 0.38 in save situations. “This is a good win and we’re back in the race again.”