Sport

Yankees now in command

ANDY PETTITTE recovered from a horrid opening game with a masterful pitching performance that gave New York a 1-0 victory over…

Sat Oct 26 1996 - 01:00

ANDY PETTITTE recovered from a horrid opening game with a masterful pitching performance that gave New York a 1-0 victory over Atlanta and command of the 92nd World Series.

The Yankees, seeking first title seven series.

"The momentum has really shifted. But the momentum could swing again, New York's Paul O'Neill said. "We have to enjoy this game for a while and get ready for the next one. We need one more win. That's our goal now."

Pettitte was pounded for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings in losing the Series opener 12-1. But he dazzled on Thursday, scattering four hits and striking out four in 8 1/3 innings.

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Pettitte, a 24 year old left hander, impressed Yankee relief pitcher John Wetteland by studying the Braves' lineup intently after his poor showing

"He is so far beyond his years,"

Wetteland said. "He learned an awful lot from pitching against them and watching them the past few days. To apply what he learned the way he did shows a maturity level that's off the scale."

The reigning champions, the Braves, on the brink of elimination just to reach the World Series, must win tonight to prevent New York's 23rd title in 73 years and force a seventh game Sunday.

"It's very possible," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. "We can put together a two game win streak. "We did it before and we can do it again."

New York's Charlie Hayes opened the fourth inning with a fly ball that descended between Grissom and Jermaine Dye, a rookie rightfielder who lives with Grissom.

"We were both going hard for it at full speed with the crowd yelling and all," Dye said. "We were both waiting to see who would call for it. He called for it at the last minute. I veered off and I'm sure with my height, I blocked his view."

Grissom was distracted by his onrushing teammate and in that moment, the ball fell to the ground.

"I didn't know who was going to catch that ball and don't think they knew either," Cox said. "It was no man's land. Both of them were at full gallop. They were going full speed ahead of him. Dye passed in front of him and it distracted Marquis."

Hayes reached second base on the error, took third on a sacrifice ground out by Bernie Williams and scored when Fielder, making a strong case for Series Most Valuable Player honors, slammed a double to the left field wall.