GAGA OVER GAGNE CLOSER STELLAR AS DODGERS RISE IN WILD-CARD RACE DODGERS 2, NEW YORK 1.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

It is the soundtrack of the L.A. baseball summer, a roaring crowd and rock 'n' roll that rattles the senses while Eric Gagne strolls in from the bullpen.

It signaled the end was near for the New York Mets on Friday night and another rung in the Dodgers' improbable climb up the National League wild-card ladder.

Pitching for the third consecutive day, Gagne actually allowed a base hit before putting away the Mets to preserve Hideo Nomo's 2-1 victory and record his 43rd consecutive save this season and 51st in a row overall.

The final two outs were classic Gagne, and the Dodger Stadium crowd of 40,714 let loose. He blew away Ty Wigginton and Jeff Duncan on strikes.

The wild-card leading Philadelphia Phillies won to stay three games ahead of the Dodgers. But the Dodgers moved a half-game ahead of Arizona. Now only Florida stands between the Dodgers and the Phils.

Gagne didn't have to face Mike Piazza, the former Dodger who still draws a loud buzz whenever he returns. But Piazza, back after missing most of the season with a groin injury, had one of the worst nights of his career, striking out twice and grounding into two double plays.

On the night the Dodgers activated veteran first baseman Fred McGriff (groin) from the disabled list, they were playing their third consecutive game since Shawn Green suffered a strained neck Wednesday.

Green could be back tonight in the second game of the series or it could be awhile. But clearly this is not the same team that he left.

Switch-hitting shortstop Cesar Izturis, who had two RBI doubles from the left side in Thursday afternoon's 2-1 victory over Montreal, contributed a big run-scoring single while batting right-handed Friday night.

It came in the fourth inning against Mets starter Al Leiter, who entered the game 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA in six starts since coming off the disabled list July 7 with inflammation in his right knee. The game was scoreless to that point, but the Dodgers quickly picked up all the runs they would need.

Leiter had been sharp, but Paul Lo Duca opened with a solid single to left. One out later, Jolbert Cabrera doubled just inside the third-base bag.

Mike Kinkade was intentionally walked to set up a possible double play, but seldom-used Ron Coomer flied to center, scoring Lo Duca.

Cabrera moved to third on the play and scored when Izturis, who entered the game batting .288 (32 for 111) from the right side, lined an opposite- field single.

Nomo (15-9) was coming off seven scoreless innings last Sunday in a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. He has just one loss since July 6.

Except for Wigginton's seventh-inning homer, Nomo baffled Mets hitters, especially Piazza.

Amid the usual cheers and boos for the former Dodger, Nomo struck out Piazza in the first and third innings. Piazza came up in the sixth with no outs and a runner aboard. He grounded into a double play.

In the eighth, he faced Quantrill with a chance to change the game. Quantrill looked shaky, taking over for Tom Martin with one out and immediately walking pinch-hitter Raul Gonzalez.

Piazza was batting .350 with two homers and nine RBI in six games since returning from three months on the disabled list.

A home run would have given the last-place Mets the lead. Instead Piazza grounded to second to begin his second double play of the night.

With Gagne getting loose, that was the Mets' final stand.

Matt McHale, [phone]

matt.mchale(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo, 3 boxes

Photo:

(color) Eric Gagne, right, is congratulated by Jeromy Burnitz, left, and Shawn Green after his 51st consecutive save.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) STORY LINES

(2) NL WILD CARD

(3) DODGERS vs. NEW YORK