Gagne named NL Pitcher of the Month

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, who recorded 11 saves and had a stingy 0.63 ERA in June, was named Wednesday as the National League Pitcher of the Month.

Gagne, who on Monday set a record by collecting his 30th save in just his 82nd game, struck out 24 in 14 1/3 innings in June. The Canadian righthander, who did not have a save before this season, was named to his first All-Star Game.

Other pitchers who received votes were John Smoltz and Chris Hammond of the Atlanta Braves, A.J. Burnett of the Florida Panthers, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Odalis Perez of the Dodgers.