Gagne Needs No Relief

Eric Gagne doesn’t have time to be tired, with September in sight and the Dodgers still in the wild-card chase.

So the record-setting closer is prepared to pitch every day if that’s what the team needs. It appears Manager Jim Tracy is willing to let him try.

Tracy turned to Gagne again Friday night, and the outcome was great for the Dodgers in a 2-1 victory over the New York Mets before 40,714 at Dodger Stadium.

Gagne struck out two in a scoreless ninth to record his 43rd save, completing the victory for starter Hideo Nomo (15-9), who worked seven strong innings .

With their third consecutive victory and fifth in six games, the Dodgers (67-60) remained three games behind Philadelphia in the National League wild-card race. Moreover, the Dodgers moved back into second place in the NL West, one-half game ahead of Arizona, a position they last occupied July 2.

The Dodgers are on the rise again, and a seemingly tireless pitcher is powering their ascent.

“Nomo was brilliant tonight, and what else can you say about the guy who pitches the ninth inning for us?” Tracy said. “He was spectacular.”

Pitching for the third time in as many days -- including a two-inning stint Wednesday -- Gagne struck out Jeff Duncan for the final out, extending his big league record for consecutive saves to start a season. He also got an assist from his batterymate.

Catcher Paul Lo Duca nailed pinch-runner Vance Wilson, trying to steal second, for the first out in the ninth after Jason Phillips led off with a single against Gagne.

“I figured if we could get one in scoring position, get one in that inning, Gagne is a one-inning guy,” Met Manager Art Howe said. “Then, I thought we would have a shot.”

The key play helped Gagne tie Tom Gordon’s record streak of 43 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.

Gordon’s record of 54 saves in a row (set with Boston from 1998-99) is the next target for Gagne. However, helping the Dodgers reach the playoffs currently tops his to-do list.

“Trace is the boss, he makes the decisions, but I told him how I feel,” said Gagne, who has thrown 38, 17 and 16 pitches the last three games. “As long as I feel good, I can keep going out there, and he knows I want the ball.

“Like I keep saying: It’s not about the amount of days. It’s all about how many pitches and how I feel each day.

“I’m not going to do anything to hurt the team. I’m not going to go out there if I can’t do it.”

The Dodgers got their runs in the fourth against Met starter Al Leiter (12-7) on Ron Coomer’s sacrifice fly and another clutch two-out hit from Cesar Izturis.

Other members of the majors’ top bullpen also were effective again, as Paul Quantrill and Tom Martin combined for a scoreless eighth against the woeful Mets (55-72). Met catcher Mike Piazza, a five-time All-Star with the Dodgers, went hitless in four at-bats, striking out twice against Nomo and grounding into two double plays in his first game at Chavez Ravine this season.

“It was the best I’ve seen Nomo throw in years,” Piazza said. “I should have been more disciplined, I wasn’t smart, but I’m happy for him personally. He’s persevered and he’s a survivor.”

Nomo was coming off seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in his last outing, and he was almost as impressive against the Mets.

Nomo made the right pitches to escape jams in the first and third -- twice striking out Piazza -- and the Dodgers turned three double plays. The right-hander finished strong after Ty Wigginton hit his 10th homer leading off the seventh, retiring the next three batters to finish his work.

Nomo gave up six hits and had seven strikeouts with three walks.

“He had a lot of downward movement and good velocity,” Piazza said. “He’s throwing very well.”