GAGNE SAVES THE DAY HIS PERFORMANCE OVERSHADOWS SHAKY PITCHING DODGERS 8, N.Y. METS 5.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE Staff Writer

The highly anticipated pitching matchup between Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe didn't exactly go as advertised Tuesday in the Dodgers' 8-5 victory over the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Neither ace was particularly sharp, and both were gone by the seventh inning. Lowe, battling cold-like symptoms, sloshed through six innings but managed to pick up the win, his fifth of the year.

Martinez just battled himself, giving up seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits while striking out six in five-plus innings.

Any disappointment for the 46,347 fans at Chavez Ravine about the below-par matchup dissipated when the struggles of Martinez and Lowe and both teams' bullpens led straight into Eric Gagne's first save opportunity in nearly a year.

Gagne entered the game in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order, striking out Carlos Delgado and David Wright in the process. The hard-throwing right-hander was making only his second appearance since rejoining the team June 1 after two elbow surgeries over the past 11 months.

``I just went out there and did my business, trying to get batters out,'' Gagne said. ``Everyone (in the bullpen) is throwing the ball well, and it's only a matter of time before the results start showing up.''

No one is more appreciative of that than the Dodgers' starters, who know Gagne is waiting in the bullpen to close out wins.

``It was great to see him out there,'' Lowe said. ``The energy he brings and the excitement he creates for this city is pretty special. Hopefully we'll be seeing it quite a bit this year.''

It didn't look like Gagne would be needed after the Dodgers took an 8-2 lead in the sixth while chasing Martinez out of the game. But the shaky relief combination of Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito opened the door enough for the Mets to tack on three runs in the seventh. That created a save situation for Gagne, his first since coming back last week.

``He got three outs and that's what we've been looking for,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said. ``Those were three big outs in a save situation. We look forward to it some more.''

Martinez was done in by a pair of two-run home runs, one by Nomar Garciaparra in the first inning and the other by rookie Matt Kemp in the sixth.

It was Garciaparra's seventh home run and his 40th RBI in 40 games.

Kemp's home run was his fourth since getting promoted from Double-A Jacksonville just more than a week ago.

``I was just trying to get a pitch I could drive and fortunately I got a hold of one,'' Kemp said. ``It was a great feeling considering who was on the mound. Everybody knows who Pedro Martinez is.''

The Dodgers ended up scoring six runs in the sixth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate against Martinez and reliever Heath Bell.

Lowe was only slightly sharper than his former Boston teammate, but it was enough for him to battle his way through six innings while giving up five hits and two runs.

He hadn't been feeling well for a couple of days, and Little said Lowe could barely talk earlier Tuesday.

``I've definitely felt better, no doubt about it,'' Lowe said. ``As individuals, these games are self-gratifying. When you're not 100 percent health-wise, all you're looking to do is give yourself a chance. It was a battle today, but (the Mets) weren't going to feel sorry for me.''

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Dodgers' Matt Kemp, right, gets a high-five from Willy Aybar after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

(2) Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra stretches for a throw but can't stay on the bag as New York Mets catcher and former Dodger Paul Lo Duca beats the play for an infield single during the first inning.

Francis Specker/Associated Press

Box:

DODGERS VS. NEW YORK 

- Vincent Bonsignore