Faster than fans could count to three, J.D. Drew struck out in the eighth inning, ending a Red Sox rally. The Angels catcher is Ryan Budde. Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — Three weeks ago he was hailed as a hero before so much as throwing a pitch for the Red Sox. On Aug. 1, his first day as a member of the team, he was treated to a standing ovation simply for walking from the dugout to the bullpen in mid-game.

That was a long time ago, however, for Eric Gagne.

The era of good feeling didn’t last long. What has he done for them lately? Since his warm welcome, Gagne has blown three save opportunities, resulting in three tough late-inning losses, the kind fans long remember.

Nothing is more dispiriting, more deflating than a certain win that quickly morphs into a crushing loss. If Gagne needed a reminder of that yesterday, the 36,346 were only too happy to provide one — loudly.

Gagne’s long, lonely jog from the bullpen to the mound in the top of the ninth went nearly undetected, as fans were otherwise occupied booing J.D. Drew for taking a called third strike with the potential tying runs on base to end the bottom of the eighth.

As Drew took the place of newcomer Bobby Kielty in right field, the fans voiced their displeasure. One villain at a time, please.

When Gagne’s name was announced by public address announcer Carl Beane, the venom was ratcheted up. If Gagne had donned the colors of his beloved Montreal Canadiens on the Fenway Park mound, the negative reaction couldn’t have been any louder.

“It comes with the territory,” said Gagne evenly. “If you do good, they’re happy. If you don’t do good, they’re not happy. That’s what good fans will do.”

Yesterday, Gagne mostly did good. He gave up a first-pitch single to leadoff hitter Garret Anderson, then struck out Gary Matthews Jr. A single by Casey Kotchman — on what could have been ruled an error to second baseman Dustin Pedroia — gave the Angels two baserunners, but Gagne struck out Maicer Izturis and Ryan Budde to finish the inning.

As Budde swung and missed for strike three, Gagne punched the air with his glove, putting an exclamation on his outing. It wasn’t clean — in eight appearances Gagne has yet to retire the side in order for the Sox — but it was a step forward.

“I was a little wild,” said Gagne, quickly assessing his inning of work before boarding the team bus for the airport, “but I made my pitches.”

Gagne has kept a low profile in the Sox clubhouse since imploding in the top of the ninth Friday night. He was not available to answer questions after that game, and Saturday he remained in the players lounge and trainer’s room.

His teammates have been supportive, rallying around him and offering plenty of encouragement. His manager, Terry Francona, has been steadfast in his support, insisting that he will not change Gagne’s role or lose confidence in him.

This may be Francona’s greatest strength as a manager — his refusal to wither in support of failing players. See: Pedroia, Dustin; and Lugo, Julio.

“He’s going to pitch well,” said Francona. “The same people that are yelling at him now are going to be cheering him. In the meantime, it’s our responsibility to stick with him. He’s about as stand-up guy as you’re ever going to find. He’s very welcome in our bullpen and while he may not feel that way with the fans right now, he’ll feel that way in our clubhouse.”

Gagne seemed at least somewhat buoyed by his appearance. For just the third time with the Sox he was not scored upon, and he hinted that some mechanical adjustments he had been working on Saturday afternoon resulted in some improvement yesterday.

“I battled through it,” he said of the ninth. “Now I’ve got to build off it and keep going.”

Then it was off to the bus, onto the plane and out for the start of a three-city, 10-game road trip.

Maybe yesterday wasn’t such a bad day after all — no runs allowed, three strikeouts recorded and no home games again until Aug. 31. Seldom has the road looked so inviting.

smcadam@projo.com