[0] GAGNE CAN'T SAVE DODGERS ALL-STAR CLOSER FALLS SHORT AS ARIZONA AVOIDS SWEEP ARIZONA 5, DODGERS 3.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - All-Star closer Eric Gagne has been so good that Dodgers manager Jim Tracy has been tempted to extend him beyond the usual three-out save.

On Wednesday, Tracy should've resisted his impulse.

Gagne allowed a two-run, one-out triple to Quinton McCracken in the eighth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 5-3 to avoid a three-game sweep at Bank One Ballpark.

Not only did Gagne see his string of 20 consecutive saves end, he also allowed a sacrifice fly and walked his first batter since May 4. It was Gagne's second blown save in 32 chances. His other came May 7, when he allowed a Gary Sheffield homer in Atlanta.

This one cost the Dodgers their first loss in 46 games when leading after seven innings.

However, the Dodgers lead the National League West by 2 1/2 games and have history on their side as they attempt to reach the postseason for the first time since 1996: Since 1990 (excluding the strike-shortened 1994 season) 41 of the 61 teams that led or were tied for the division lead on Independence Day won the division.

Arizona began its winning rally when Junior Spivey extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a one-out single to center off reliever Guillermo Mota.

Reliever Jesse Orosco walked pinch hitter Greg Colbrunn before McCracken tripled into the right-field corner on an 0-2 changeup by Gagne to give Arizona a 4-3 lead. Mark Grace added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.

Dodgers right fielder Shawn Green hit his 26th homer, a two-run shot to straightaway center field in the first inning.

The Dodgers certainly got the best of the D'backs in this series. However, a strong and potentially nasty undercurrent could flow into next weekend's four-game series at Dodger Stadium because of an incident in the Dodgers' victory Tuesday.

Arizona pitcher Rick Helling hit Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre with a pitch after allowing three runs in the sixth inning. Later, he was adamant that he didn't intentionally throw at Beltre.

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy questioned Helling's intent. It was Helling's only pitch after injuring his right ankle when he collided with Brian Jordan on a play at home plate.

Helling was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain but said he planned to make his regularly scheduled start Sunday in L.A.

``I know I'm an honest person and I know I live my life the right way,'' Helling said. ``If I wanted to hit him on purpose, I'd tell you I wanted to hit him on purpose. I had no reason to, let alone hit him and then fake an injury. That's ridiculous.

``Try to question my integrity? One of the few things I feel I bring to the game is hard work, honesty, integrity. All those things. To have that questioned by people that don't know me bothers me a lot.''

Helling said he would talk to Tracy, but only if the second-year manager initiated the conversation. Tracy didn't feel it was necessary to speak with Helling.

``I don't look to sling mud at other players, other managers, other coaches,'' Tracy said. ``That's not my nature. I won't do it in this case. I wasn't wishing for someone to be hurt. All I was saying is this: If he wasn't hurt, and he intentionally hit a guy in the middle of the back after the circumstances that had taken place prior, I take exception to that.''

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Photo:

(color) Arizona's Tony Womack, right, scores on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning as Paul Lo Duca stands by helplessly.

Paul Connors/Associated Press