Rare Win For Jays, Over Twins

Some strange thoughts went through Jim Fregosi's mind as he watched Minnesota rookie Jason Ryan pitch Monday night.

"With the name Ryan on his back, I was wondering if it was Nolan Ryan," the Blue Jays manager said. "We made the most of our two hits."

The Toronto Blue Jays overcame Ryan's two-hitter to beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 as Pat Hentgen won consecutive starts for the first time since May.

"I made a couple of mistakes," Ryan said. "It happens. I just have to tip my hat to Pat."

Hentgen (9-10) allowed just one run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings as Toronto stopped a nine-game home losing streak, the second-longest home skid in team history. He struck out four and walked none.

Graeme Lloyd and Billy Koch finished with hitless relief for Toronto, which remains four games behind Boston, who beat Kansas City 9-1, the AL wild-card leader. Koch got three outs for his 26th save.

Shannon Stewart went 0-for-4, stopping his hitting streak at a career-high 26 games.

After consecutive walks to Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green in the first, Tony Fernandez hit an RBI single.

Tony Batista's homer off the left-field foul pole made it 2-0 in the second.

"I gave up some costly walks and a home run," Ryan said. "The difference was they didn't make as many mistakes."

Ron Coomer hit his 16th homer in the fifth.

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