Gagne ready to go back to Los Angeles

Friday, May 13, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Eric Gagne retired all six batters he faced in what was expected to be his last rehab assignment as the Las Vegas 51s beat the Memphis Redbirds, 10-3, on Thursday night at AutoZone Park.

Gagne used just 23 pitches in two perfect innings, striking out two. The 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner is recovering from knee and elbow injuries and likely will rejoin the Dodgers after this outing.

The 51s wore down Redbirds pitchers throughout the game, scoring a pair of runs in five different innings. Las Vegas put the game away in the fourth on RBI singles from Willy Aybar and Chin-Feng Chen.

Chen had a big night, going 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run homer, missing the cycle by a triple. He drove in five, bringing his RBI total to 28.

Las Vegas starter Heath Totten (4-2) got the win with a quality start, giving up three runs in six innings. He allowed just four hits and struck out two without a walk. Aquilino Lopez pitched a scoreless ninth to close it out for the 51s.