Watson Says Baseball Will Not Penalize Gagne

All-Star closer Eric Gagne will not be disciplined for hitting a batter with a pitch in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds, a high-ranking baseball official said Monday.

Bob Watson, in charge of on-field discipline, made his ruling after baseball’s three-day investigation into the events that preceded the ninth-inning ejections of Gagne and Manager Jim Tracy in a 6-4, 13-inning loss on Thursday at Cinergy Field.

“After reviewing the situation, we have determined that no disciplinary action needs to be handed down from the office of the commissioner,” Watson said. “We feel that, in this incident, it just would not be appropriate to take any action.”

Gagne expressed relief.

“That’s awesome,” said Gagne, who made contact with umpire Dan Iassogna while arguing. “I’m happy it’s not going to hurt us in the future, because the bullpen would have been real short-handed if they suspended me.”

Ralph Nelson, vice president of umpiring, quickly determined that Iassogna erred in ruling Adam Dunn was intentionally hit after a two-run homer by Aaron Boone, the previous batter, had cut the Dodgers’ lead to 4-2. Nelson, who had a 45-minute meeting with Tracy and General Manager Dan Evans on Friday, agreed with the Dodgers, saying a pitcher in that situation would not intentionally hit a batter and bring the potential tying run to the plate.

Nelson recommended that Watson should “not do anything to Gagne,” and Watson agreed after reviewing tapes of the incident. Nelson would be responsible for taking action against Iassogna, whom he was scheduled to interview in person Monday.

However, Nelson reaffirmed he probably would not discipline Iassogna, a reserve umpire from triple-A with extensive service in the majors, because he made a judgment call and “believed he did the right thing at the time.”

Baseball wants to close the door on the embarrassing matter, and Watson’s ruling was the first step in the process.

“There were a whole lot of things that happened to the Dodgers as a result of the umpire making that call, and we just really felt that nothing else needed to be done,” Watson said. “Their closer and manager were ejected, they lost the game and had to make roster moves because of all the pitchers they had to use.

“Ralph traveled to Philadelphia to have a special meeting with the Dodgers, which we felt was very productive. We talked a lot after that, and it was clear to us [that nothing should be done]. This was a very difficult situation for the Dodgers.”

Evans applauded the commissioner’s office for its swift action.

“Hopefully it will put an end to this entire situation,” he said. “It’s time for us to move on.”

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Tracy said Alex Cora, one of the club’s biggest surprises, and Cesar Izturis would platoon at shortstop the rest of the season.

Cora started for the fourth game in row at shortstop Monday, getting a run-scoring double in a 7-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. Tracy said he is not disappointed in the switch-hitting Izturis, batting .288 right-handed and .197 left-handed, but needs Cora’s production for the playoff push.

In addition to batting .299, Cora has been the club’s most productive pinch-hitter, batting .355 (11 for 31) with a home run and three runs batted in.

“You’ve got to do what’s in the best interest of the group now,” Tracy said. “I’ve got to give Alex more playing time.”

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Kevin Brown said he did not experience back or elbow pain after a 70-pitch bullpen session on Monday at Dodger Stadium, and is scheduled to throw again Wednesday before making his second rehabilitation start Friday for triple-A Las Vegas at Edmonton. Tracy said Brown, expected to be activated after his next start, would throw about 80 pitches against Edmonton.... Third baseman Adrian Beltre is 15 for 43 with four homers and 15 runs batted in during his last 10 games.... The Dodgers are last in the National League in walks with 292. The Dodgers and Detroit Tigers are the only clubs in the major leagues with fewer than 300 walks.... Philadelphia starter Brandon Duckworth struck out the first six Dodger batters Monday.

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ON DECK

Opponent--Pittsburgh Pirates, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today and Wednesday, Channel 13 on Thursday.

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

Records--Dodgers 62-50, Pirates 50-61.

Record vs. Pirates--2-1.

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TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ODALIS PEREZ

(10-7, 3.15 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’ JOSH FOGG

(10-7, 4.10 ERA)

Update--The Dodgers, 6-7 on a season-high 13-game trip, were 2-9 on their last home stand. Perez, working on nine days’ rest, pitched seven scoreless innings Thursday in a 6-4, 13-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The left-hander gave up two hits in his first strong outing since pitching a one-hitter against the Colorado Rockies on June 25. Fogg has struggled in five starts since the All-Star break, going 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA.

Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Andy Ashby (7-9, 3.75) vs. Brian Meadows (0-1, 3.00).

Thursday, 7 p.m.--Kazuhisa Ishii (12-7, 4.07) vs. Jimmy Anderson (8-11, 4.86).

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Jason Reid