Hentgen Finds a Way to Win for Orioles

Pat Hentgen has something to show for all that intense rehabilitation following a career-threatening elbow injury.

Hentgen gave up two hits in seven innings to win for the first time in two years and the Baltimore Orioles stopped a six-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Saturday night at Baltimore.

“There are times I thought it would never happen,” Hentgen said. “It was a great win for us. We needed it.”

Hentgen (1-0), a right-hander who had ligament replacement surgery in his elbow, struck out four and walked four in his third start this season.

The victory was his first since May 16, 2001, when Hentgen beat Detroit at Baltimore.

Mike Hargrove, who resumed managing for the first time since the death of his mother May 12, left Hentgen in for his longest outing of the season.

The Devil Rays did not record an assist in the game, the eighth time in major league history that the feat has been accomplished in a nine-inning game. Tampa Bay also did it May 1, 2002.

Tampa Bay was deprived of a season-high third consecutive win but can still win its third straight road series for the first time in franchise history by defeating the Orioles today.

Toronto 7, Kansas City 4 -- Minutes after Royal pitcher Jason Grimsley argued with umpire Gerry Davis following a close play at first base, Frank Catalanotto broke a 3-3 tie with a bases-loaded triple with two out in the eighth to lead the Blue Jays at Kansas City, Mo.

Cleveland 4, Oakland 2 -- At Cleveland, Matt Lawton singled in the go-ahead run, and Omar Vizquel squeezed in another run in the eighth to lead the Indians over the Athletics, who were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 1 -- Joe Mays (4-3) improved to 8-2 against the White Sox and center fielder Torii Hunter helped preserve the lead by robbing Carlos Lee of a potential homer with one on in the seventh, leaping and backhanding the ball about four feet above the seven-foot fence at Minneapolis.