American League Roundup : Clemens Hit Hard by Santana, Yankees, 12-6

For some players, such as light-hitting Rafael Santana, it was a night to remember.

For others, such as Roger Clemens, it was a nightmare to forget.

Santana had the second four-hit game of his career with a homer and four runs batted in Monday night to lead an 18-hit attack as the New York Yankees handed Clemens the worst defeat of his career with a 12-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Boston.

Santana, who had a four-hit game for the New York Mets in 1984, had three singles against Clemens, then hit a three-run homer off reliever Bob Stanley in the ninth.

“I knew I hit that ball good, but I didn’t think I hit it hard enough to go out,” Santana said of his second home run of the season.

The home run into the left-field screen provided the Yankees, off to their best start since 1980 with a 39-21 record, a cushion after they pounded Clemens for career highs of 9 runs and 15 hits in 6 innings.

Jose Cruz and Claudell Washington also had three hits.

Richard Dotson (7-1) allowed 5 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings. Cecilio Guante pitched three innings to earn his seventh save.

Jim Rice ended the longest home run drought of his 14-year career with a two-run shot into the center-field bleachers for a 2-0 Boston lead in the second inning. Rice, who hit another two-run home run in the fourth, had last homered Sept. 9 of last season against the Yankees in Boston.

Milwaukee 3, Seattle 1--Bill Wegman and Dan Plesac combined on an eight-hitter, and Robin Yount drove in three runs to lead the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Wegman (5-5) scattered 5 hits over 8 innings to get the victory. He struck out two and walked none. Plesac pitched the ninth inning for his 14th save, but allowed a run on Alvin Davis’ triple and Mickey Brantley’s double.

Dave Valle advanced Brantley to third with a single, but Glenn Wilson grounded out to end the game.

Mike Campbell (3-8) took the loss, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings.

Baltimore 6, Detroit 4--Mickey Tettleton hit two home runs, including a game-winning, three-run homer with one out in the ninth, to pace the Orioles at Detroit.

Tettleton, released by Oakland in spring training and brought up from the minors last month by Baltimore, hit a 1-and-2 pitch off reliever Guillermo Hernandez for his fifth homer of the season.

Fred Lynn hit a single with one out, and Hernandez relieved starter Walt Terrell. Pete Stanicek, running for Lynn, stole second. After Jim Traber walked, Tettleton hit his home run. Hernandez (3-2) had not allowed a run since May 17.

Winning pitcher Tom Niedenfuer (1-1) came on in the eighth inning, getting Chet Lemon to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Cleveland 8, Toronto 6--Cory Snyder and Ron Kittle hit home runs, and Doug Jones earned his 15th save of the season, pacing the Indians at Toronto.

Bud Black (3-1) allowed five hits, struck out 5 and walked 3 over 5 innings of relief. Black relieved starter Rich Yett after one inning when Yett suffered irritation on the left side of his rib cage. Jones struck out five over 2 innings, including the side in the ninth.

Jim Clancy (3-8) gave up 7 hits and 7 runs over 5 innings.

Chicago 4, Minnesota 1--Ivan Calderon and Gary Redus homered to back the combined seven-hit pitching of Melido Perez and two relievers, carrying the White Sox to victory at Minneapolis.

Perez (6-2) allowed five hits, walked two and struck out four before being relieved in the ninth. Ricky Horton got one out before yielding to Bobby Thigpen, who earned his 12th save by striking out two with runners on first and second. Twins starter Les Straker (2-4) allowed 4 runs on 9 hits over 6 innings in a losing performance.