Some think Gagné is thrown off by role

When the deal was made at the trading deadline, it was Dodgers bench coach Dave Jauss who first put a slight damper on the euphoria of Red Sox Nation in acquiring accomplished closer Eric Gagné.

"One thing to remember," said Jauss. "The eighth inning is different than the ninth."

When you're a closer, you build up that head of steam to finish the game, the way adrenaline-fueled pitchers such as Gagné and Jonathan Papelbon do. When the ending is not there, isn't it human nature to not feel quite the rush?

"There are so many situations that are different in the eighth inning in terms of more things a reliever needs to be aware of, like the running game, where teams will tend to run once they get on base in the eighth whereas in the ninth they're liable to play it more conservatively," said Jauss. "But other things come into play. These are all things that someone who has been a closer has to adapt to when he's in set-up. It's not as easy as it sounds."

Those who know Gagné didn't think the adjustment would be an issue in the long term. His former pitching coach in LA, Rick Honeycutt, said as much last week.

"There's always going to be a transition for Eric, but he'll figure it out," said Honeycutt. "I haven't seen him much this year, but he's such an extreme competitor that he'll bring the same mind-set to the eighth where he'll view it as the ninth in his mind.

"It's an adjustment, but when you throw the ball like Eric throws it -- and it looks as though he's throwing it well -- he'll be fine."

Some say Gagné needs to throw more offspeed stuff. He's always had a terrific curveball and changeup.

"When Gagné was at his best, he could blow the fastball past you at 98 miles per hour, but that was then," said former Reds reliever Rob Dibble. "The Eric Gagné we see now has to set up that fastball with his offspeed stuff, which I just don't see him doing that much."

Another point made by Dibble is that Gagné is now in a far more intense situation than he was as the Rangers closer.

"Gagné has certainly pitched in big pressure situations, but he hasn't for a while," Dibble said. "Innings in Texas for a team not in contention is a totally different situation than innings in Boston in the middle of a pennant race.

"When you're pitching for the Boston Red Sox, every team is coming up there trying to knock you around. Every team wants to beat the Red Sox because they're the first-place team. That holds true if you're a set-up man or a closer."

Gagné's dip began June 24, when he was still a Ranger. His ERA since then is 7.27 ERA (14 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings over 18 games). Before that, Gagné had a 0.45 ERA and 16 saves.

Julian Tavarez feels for what Gagné is going through.

"When you're the closer, you know what you're going to be doing and when you're going to do it," Tavarez said. "If you're the set-up man, it's not as set. You have to prepare a little differently because you might be coming in in a different situation every time.

"He's a great pitcher and we all know he's going to turn this around. He's got a history, so you'll see, he'll settle down and help us."

Dibble said he went through rough patches and they turn around.

"As relievers, we're all a little bit flaky," Dibble said. "That's why sometimes all it takes is one good outing, one good pitch in a given situation, and that can turn you right around."

Not that Luis Tiant spent a lot of time in bullpens, but he said any change in roles can be disruptive for a while.

"It's a change of routine," said Tiant, now a Red Sox consultant. "You may not think it bothers you, but it does. You start leaving fastballs over the plate and you start doing things you're not used to."

Like any struggling pitcher, Gagné wants the ball sooner rather than later, hoping he can do what Dibble suggested -- turn his season around with one pitch, one batter, or one outing. That would help put a nervous Red Sox Nation at ease.