Capuano may inspire others, but Pettitte inspires him

Chris Capuano has an inspirational story himself. He's come back from four surgeries to be a big part of the rotation for baseball's winningest team, with a team-high eight wins. But Capuano said he takes inspiration from a pitcher he has barely met: Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte.

PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Capuano's story is a good one.

Two Tommy John surgeries, two other surgeries, and as of Thursday morning he was tied for the major-league lead with eight wins.

Inspirational, you might say.

Capuano used exactly that word after beating the Phillies Wednesday night -- but not about himself.

The pitcher he wanted most to talk about: Andy Pettitte, who struck out 10 Rays in 7 1/3 scoreless innings the night before for the Yankees.

"He's inspirational to me," Capuano said. "I'm so inspired by him."

Capuano said he doesn't really know his fellow left-hander but remembers pitching against him when they both played in the National League Central (Capuano with the Brewers, Pettitte with the Astros). He still treasures complimentary comments Pettitte made after losing a game to Capuano and the Brewers in 2006.

"He's left-handed, and he's had an amazing career," Capuano said, explaining his connection to Pettitte. "He's a bulldog."

Capuano has impressed people this year with the Dodgers. His last two starts haven't been great, but Wednesday he pitched well enough to win -- and well enough to change one scout's opinion of him.

"A fifth starter, at best," the scout said before the game.

"His changeup is really improved," the same scout said after watching Capuano.

The Dodgers, who got Capuano on a two-year, $10 million contract, say they saw it coming.

"From the tape I saw of Cappy, he finished off well [last year with the Mets]," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "His progression was moving in the right direction."