Hentgen Beats Out Pettitte--Again

NEW YORK — Once again, Pat Hentgen finished just ahead of Andy Pettitte.

Hentgen, who edged Pettitte for the AL Cy Young Award last year, barely defeated him Tuesday night, pitching a five-hitter that led the Toronto Blue Jays past the New York Yankees, 2-0.

Hentgen (5-1) extended his streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 39, helped by some sharp fielding. Pettitte (6-2) pitched nearly as well but was doomed by a shaky defense that set up both runs.

New York errors by first baseman Tino Martinez and second baseman Mariano Duncan produced an unearned run in the sixth inning, and a hard-hit grounder that got under Duncan’s glove allowed another run to score in the eighth.

“I guess Pat went out and showed why he was a Cy Young Award winner and Pettitte showed why he was a Cy Young contender,” Toronto Manager Cito Gaston said.

Rarely in trouble, Hentgen won his fifth consecutive decision. He struck out eight and walked two in his league-leading second shutout of the season.

“It was a classic pitcher’s duel,” Hentgen said. “I’m just fortunate we were able to manufacture a couple of runs because Pettitte pitched a super, super game.”

Hentgen won the Cy Young last season in the second-closest voting ever for the award.

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