BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : WORLD SERIES / TORONTO BLUE JAYS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Pat Hentgen, who will start for the Blue Jays in Game 3 tonight, has had only three at-bats since leaving high school in 1986, popping up and striking out twice. He has ordered his own model bat--the lightest Louisville Slugger makes--for his return to the box tonight when Toronto can no longer use the designated hitter, but he has no illusions.

“I hit .399 in high school, but they weren’t throwing 90 (m.p.h.) with a breaking pitch,” he said. “They throw a curve tomorrow night and I’ll need a tennis racket to hit it.

“I’m confident I can get a bunt down if we need it, but I’d be satisfied with an 0 for 3 or 4 because it would mean I’d pitched into the late innings.”

A 19-game winner during the regular season, Hentgen said he is seeking redemption for his loss to the White Sox in Game 3 of the playoffs. He gave up nine hits and six earned runs and was pulled in the fourth inning.

“I went back to the hotel and couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I was frustrated with myself and felt I’d let the team down.

“I’m not the type of pitcher who can throw the ball by a hitter, but I let that third inning (when the White Sox batted around) explode on me.

“I mean, instead of pitching through it, I tried to throw through it. Instead of using all of my pitches, I forget about my curve and just tried to throw harder and harder. It was a tough lesson, but I’m excited about the opportunity to prove to my team I can win in the postseason like I did during the regular season.”