By the numbers
Gagne is 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA in 17 games since the All-Star break, and opponents have hit .361 against him during that span. In his last three appearances, Gagne has limited batters to a .182 batting average and hasn’t allowed a run. Metro/JH
MLB. Eric Gagne paused for a minute before responding when asked his best comparison to the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry he was about to experience for the first time last night.
Was it like the Dodgers and the Giants?
Not even close. For Gagne, it was the epic puck battles between the Canadiens and Nordiques while growing up in Quebec and living, eating and breathing hockey.
“It was a little different when Montreal and Quebec played each other,” said Gagne. “It’s going to be exciting, and any game when you’re in a pennant race is exciting. That’s what it’s all about: playing in October.”
The proud Canuck is thinking again about October after working through struggles just after the July 31 trading deadline that saw him blow three saves in 10 days.
Instead of sulking, the 31-year-old former Cy Young Award winner studied videotape and made a conscious effort to feature his “Bugs Bunny” changeup more often during appearances.
“It’s encouraging to see a guy handle things the way he did,” said Sox Manager Terry Francona. “I really have more respect [for him] now. This guy is pretty stand-up, so it’s been fun to see the turnaround.”
Gagne has racked up five strikeouts and allowed four hits during the four innings of work, and started the string of good fortune by striking out the side in the final game of Boston’s last homestand — a performance that allowed the 240-pound reliever to experience both the highs and lows afforded by the Fenway Faithful.
“[The fans] have been unbelievable to me,” said Gagne, who was 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA and 16 saves heading into last night’s contest. “They get behind you and really support you when you’re doing well, and they let you know when you’re not. That’s what it’s all about. I’ve been making adjustments to help me get people out.”
The key, in Francona’s mind, was Gagne’s extra work with Sox pitching coach John Farrell, and sticking with their new acquisition as he transitioned into the “Red Sox Way” of doing things.
“The last three [outings] have been really pretty good,” said Francona. “And that’s not surprising. I’m not trying to make light of [his] struggles, but I think, at the same time, I owed it not only to him but to the team to not … cave to popular demand.”