DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GAGNE TO WORK ON MECHANICS.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

Dodgers officials continued on Saturday to downplay the recent struggles of Cy Young closer Eric Gagne, who had allowed the opposing club to take the lead each of the previous three days.

``What are you comparing it to?'' manager Jim Tracy asked. ``Invincibility?''

Citing the fact he had pitched on three consecutive days, Tracy said Gagne was not available for Saturday's game with Atlanta.

Gagne, who had a three-year run of 84 consecutive saves, clearly isn't his usual, dominating self. For that, the veteran right-hander blamed his mechanics, saying after giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on Friday that he wanted to work on a couple of things. The Dodgers came back to win that game in 11 innings on a pair of homers by Adrian Beltre.

Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colborn said Saturday that Gagne's problem stems not from his arm, but a lack of synchronicity between his upper body and his legs.

``His timing is off,'' Colborn said. ``His upper body is a little too quick. Because of that, he doesn't have his natural arm swing, so his arm has to make an adjustment in order for him to throw the ball where he wants to.''

So, if Gagne and Colborn can work out the flaw in Gagne's mechanics, theoretically, Gagne should rediscover his arm slot naturally.

``That's the way I look at pitching mechanics,'' Colborn said. ``You either fix it from the end backward or from the beginning forward. My philosophy is, fix it from the beginning forward.''

Both Tracy and Colborn admitted that fatigue could be a factor, but only in the short term, which is why he was given the day off. Tracy discounted the notion that Gagne hasn't been right since he pitched three innings in a 12-inning victory at San Diego on Aug. 1, even though Gagne has posted a 7.20 ERA in nine appearances since that game.

Tracy also denied that the trade of reliable setup man Guillermo Mota to Florida on July 30 has played a role in Gagne's struggle, saying that the only time it has made a difference in his handling of Gagne was last Sunday in Chicago when Gagne was called upon to pitch two innings with a three-run lead.

Tracy wouldn't concede that the absence of Mota was a factor in using Gagne for three innings in the San Diego game.

``Maybe, maybe not,'' Tracy said. ``The bearing of that game itself was that it (represented) a two-game swing (in the standings). I can't say he wouldn't have gone three innings.''

--Penny update: Two weeks after Brad Penny suffered a strained right biceps in his second start since he was acquired from Florida in the Mota trade, Penny still hasn't picked up a baseball. He was originally expected to miss one and possibly two starts.

Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said through the club's media relations department Saturday that the ``goal'' is for Penny to play catch no later than Tuesday. Of course, the original ``goal'' was that Penny would have been back in the rotation by now.

--Extra starter: With both Hideo Nomo (right rotator cuff inflammation) and Edwin Jackson (right forearm strain) expected off the disabled list soon, Colborn said the Dodgers might use a six-man rotation. Tracy was non-committal on the subject, but didn't rule it out.

Nomo pitched four innings in the minor leagues, giving up eight hits and four earned runs while walking three batters and striking out eight.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com

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DODGERS vs. ATLANTA

- Tony Jackson