American League Roundup : Clemens Just What Doctor Ordered for Boston

The Boston Red Sox, who lately have been putting more players in the infirmary than runs on the scoreboard, turned to their pitching ace, Roger Clemens, for help Friday night at Chicago, and the two-time Cy Young award winner provided an antedote--a two-hit, 2-0 shutout of the White Sox.

Ater hearing the bad news that center fielder Ellis Burks would undergo surgery for torn cartilage in his left shoulder and be lost four to six weeks, joining Jim Rice and Marty Barrett on the disabled list, the Red Sox were heartened as Clemens struck out a season-high 12.

Clemens (8-4) faced just 29 batters. It was the 21st shutout and sixth two-hitter of his career.

Clemens retired the first 10 men he faced before Steve Lyons singled to center with one out in the fourth inning. However, he was caught stealing. Ozzie Guillen singled to lead off the ninth, but Dave Gallagher hit into a double play.

Danny Heep’s infield single in the ninth inning scored Wade Boggs from third base. The run, given up by loser Ken Patterson (3-1), who relieved rookie Greg Hibbard, broke a scoreless tie.

New York 8-6, Texas 3-1--In a doubleheader that lasted nearly nine hours, the Yankees, led by pitchers Andy Hawkins and Jimmy Jones, swept the Rangers at New York.

It was the Yankees’ second doubleheader sweep in a week.

In the opener, Andy Hawkins, who has resumed throwing a cut fastball after dropping the pitch four years ago, allowed seven hits and no earned runs in eight-plus innings to even his record at 7-7.

The Yankees broke a sixth-inning 2-2 tie with four runs off loser Bobby Witt (5-7). New York sent 10 batters to the plate, six of whom got hits, including Steve Sax, who had three for the game.

In the second game, delayed three times by rain, Jones (2-1) gave up three hits in six innings and left after the third delay. Dale Mohorcic and Dave Righetti finished in relief.

Rafael Palmeiro hit his first home run since May 4 for Texas. Don Mattingly led off the seventh inning against Drew Hall with his seventh homer.

Oakland 7-1, Baltimore 5-5--Jay Tibbs gave up six hits in seven innings, and Joe Orsulak drove in two runs as the Orioles beat the Athletics to gain a split at Baltimore.

Tibbs (3-0) walked two, struck out six and during one stretch retired 10 consecutive batters.

In the first game, one day after the Orioles turned the American League’s first triple play of the season, the Athletics made five double plays. Ron Hassey drove in three runs with a single and a two-run homer.

Storm Davis (5-3) got the win, although he allowed five hits and three earned runs in five innings. Rick Honeycutt, Oakland’s fifth pitcher, earned his sixth save and the club’s 25th, the most in the majors.

Mark McGwire hit his 13th home run, off loser Brian Holton (2-5).

Cleveland 1, Kansas City 0--A bases-loaded walk by Tom Gordon to Pete O’Brien in the bottom of the ninth inning enabled the Indians to win at Cleveland.

Bud Black (6-7), pitching against his former teammates, yielded six hits, struck out five and walked two for his third complete game. He was traded to Cleveland for Pat Tabler last June.

With two on and one out in the ninth, Gordon, who replaced loser Terry Leach (1-1), walked Dave Clark to load the bases. After Joe Carter flied to left field, O’Brien walked on four pitches.

Right-hander Luis Aquino, just off the disabled list with a stiff neck, started for the Royals and allowed five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out four.

Toronto 4, Seattle 3--Fred McGriff’s double and a wild pitch by reliever Mike Schooler with the bases loaded in the ninth inning helped the Blue Jays beat the Mariners at Toronto.

Schooler (1-1) relieved starter Brian Holman, who had a three-hitter until he gave up a leadoff single to Kelly Gruber in the ninth.

Schooler then hit George Bell. McGriff followed with a drive over the head of center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. It bounced into the seats for a ground-rule double, scoring Gruber to tie the game. Ernie Whitt was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Schooler, who has 14 saves this season, bounced a pitch to Rance Mulliniks, and Bell scored.

Milwaukee 8, Minnesota 6--Greg Brock’s two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning helped the Brewers beat the Twins for the sixth consecutive time at Minneapolis.

With the Brewers trailing, 6-5, Brock, who missed the first two months of the season recuperating from shoulder surgery, lofted a fly ball off reliever Gary Wayne that hit inside the left-field line, scoring Gary Sheffield and Glenn Braggs.