AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Yankees Add to Clemens’ Woes

Danny Tartabull hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the New York Yankees took advantage of Roger Clemens’ wildness Saturday to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 7-3, at Boston.

Clemens (5-4) lost for the seventh time in his last eight decisions at Fenway Park. He gave up seven runs, seven hits and six walks in five-plus innings.

Clemens forced home a run with three consecutive walks in the third inning. He appeared to be talking to plate umpire Chuck Meriwether as he walked off the mound. In his last start, at Boston on Monday against Toronto, Clemens was knocked out by a five-run sixth inning.

Tartabull hit his seventh home run of the season, a line drive to deep center, after Dion James singled and Wade Boggs walked with one out in the first. Clemens had gone 58 starts without allowing a homer in the opening inning, dating to July 12, 1991.

Mike Witt (3-1) gave up two runs, five hits and five walks in five innings for his first victory at Boston since Aug. 24, 1988, when he pitched for the Angels.

Baltimore 5, Milwaukee 4--A bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Harold Reynolds in the 14th inning gave the Orioles the victory at Baltimore.

With one out, Chris Hoiles doubled off Carlos Maldonado (1-1), the seventh Brewer pitcher. David Segui was walked intentionally and Tim Hulett walked to load the bases. Reynolds lifted a fly ball down the right-field line that was caught by Tom Brunansky, who had no play on Hoiles.

Mark Williamson (2-1), the sixth Oriole pitcher, gave up two hits and struck out two in three innings to get the victory.

Detroit 5, Cleveland 1--Tony Phillips and Scott Livingstone each drove in two runs for the Tigers at Cleveland.

Mike Moore (3-1) won for the first time in a month, giving up five hits, including Paul Sorrento’s eighth home run, in 6 2/3 innings.

Jose Mesa (4-3) lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs and seven hits. In his four wins this season, Mesa has an earned-run average of 0.28; in his other six appearances, he has a 6.21 ERA.

Toronto 7, Minnesota 0--Todd Stottlemyre, injured in the third inning, combined with four relievers for 15 strikeouts and a six-hitter at Toronto.

Devon White went three for five with a homer and two runs batted in for the Blue Jays, who won for the seventh time in nine games and handed the Twins their sixth consecutive loss.

Loser Kevin Tapani (2-5) gave up eight hits and five runs, three earned, in four innings.

Stottlemyre was in command before he strained the triceps muscle in his right arm. Danny Cox (4-0) relieved and held the Twins to two hits in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five before Mark Eichhorn, Mike Timlin and Duane Ward finished for the Blue Jays.

Oakland 6, Chicago 4--Ruben Sierra drove in two runs and Dave Henderson homered for the second consecutive game, lifting the Athletics at Chicago.

Bobby Witt (4-2) gave up two runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. He left after Ozzie Guillen hit a two-run homer, his first since Sept. 5, 1991. It was Guillen’s 11th home run in 3,944 at-bats.

Dennis Eckerlsey gave up Joey Cora’s run-scoring double before getting two outs for his eighth save in 12 chances. He has recorded saves in three consecutive days.

Kansas City 4, Seattle 1--Kevin Appier (5-3) pitched a five-hitter at Kansas City to help the Royals reach .500 for the first time this season.

David Howard drove in Phil Hiatt with a go-ahead single in the seventh inning to make a winner of Appier, who struck out five and walked four.

Jim Converse (0-1) struck out seven and walked one in his major league debut. He went seven innings, giving up two runs and six hits.