AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Alomar From Last to First Against Ryan

Roberto Alomar, who struck out to complete Nolan Ryan’s seventh no-hitter, tripled to spoil his bid for an eighth.

Ryan failed in his seventh try to tie Johnny Vander Meer’s feat of back-to-back no-hitters and was the loser Wednesday night at Toronto when the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers, 4-2.

After striking out the side in the second inning, the 44-year-old right-hander walked two with one out in the third.

Alomar, who became the 16th strikeout victim in Ryan’s no-hitter against the Blue Jays last Wednesday, hit a drive into right-center just out of the reach of right-fielder Ruben Sierra for a two-run triple.

Joe Carter followed with a double, and that was the last hit off Ryan, who went six innings and struck out six.

“I remember Roberto Alomar as a little toddler running around our clubhouse,” Ryan said. “I guess that says something about how old I am that I’m pitching to the sons of former teammates.”

Roberto’s father, Sandy, was the Angels’ second baseman 18 years ago.

Boston 8, Minnesota 3--The news is that Roger Clemens gave up another run, his fourth this season, but that was all in eight innings at Boston.

Clemens has won all six starts. He gave up four hits and struck out 10.

The Twins scored in the seventh on a double by Kirby Puckett and a two-out single by Brian Harper.

Wade Boggs was three for three, walked twice, drove in two runs and scored a run.

“That’s the hardest I’ve seen Mr. Clemens throw the ball in my many years in the league,” Minnesota Manager Tom Kelly said. “We got a couple of hits, but he dominated.”

Clemens threw only 95 pitches, but the run he gave up raised his earned-run average to 0.73.

Clemens has not given up a home run in 20 consecutive starts.

Oakland 9, Baltimore 3--The Athletics waited patiently for Mark McGwire to emerge from a deep slump. There seems no doubt the slugging first baseman has emerged.

After hitting his first home run since last season Sunday, McGwire hit two three-run shots in the game at Oakland to lead the A’s to another romp.

The six runs batted in gave McGwire 13 for the season and raised his average to .226.

Curt Young (1-0), brought in when Dave Stewart strained his rib area after making only 18 pitches, gave up three hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings to get his first victory. In case Stewart misses his next start, Young is a candidate for a start.

The Athletics gave Harold Baines, who hit three home runs Tuesday night, the day off against left-hander Mike Flanagan.

“Baines was a tough act to follow,” said McGwire, who hit the home runs in the first and fifth innings. “It’s a long haul and a long way to go. I’ll be fine.”

McGwire has 21 home runs in 53 games against the Orioles.

Detroit 7, Kansas City 3--As if the Tigers needed more hitting, Lloyd Moseby came off the disabled list and immediately started hitting.

Moseby had three hits and scored twice at Detroit as the Tigers, the top run producers in the majors, won for the 13th time in 19 games. The Tigers have 135 runs in 25 games and are the only team averaging more than five runs.

Chicago 2, Milwaukee 1--It’s always a struggle when the Brewers and White Sox tangle these days.

They seemed headed for extra innings again until Ozzie Guillen broke the 1-1 tie with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning at Chicago.

Seattle 6, Cleveland 2--The Mariners won their fifth in a row.

Edgar Martinez, who had a big hit in the five-run rally in the ninth that pulled out Tuesday’s game, hit a two-run homer in the seventh to win this one at Seattle.