Clemens Is a Hit by Getting His First for Red Sox

Meet the newest big hitter in Boston’s powerful lineup--Roger Clemens.

Clemens got his first major league hit and pitched his second complete game of the season, leading the Red Sox to an 11-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night at Boston.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner came to the plate against Norm Charlton after designated hitter Jose Canseco went to play left field in the top of the eighth.

“I wasn’t scared,” Clemens said. “I just told them to give me all that hockey equipment.”

After breaking his bat on the first pitch, Clemens singled through Charlton’s legs. The crowd responded with a standing ovation for the first Boston pitcher to bat since Tim Lollar pinch-hit in 1986.

The last Boston player to get a hit in a game in which he pitched was Luis Tiant on Oct. 3, 1972, the last year before the designated hitter was used.

Clemens was later forced out at second base.

He won his third consecutive decision to improve to 3-4. He gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked two.

Cleveland 5, Milwaukee 1--Orel Hershiser rebounded from his poorest outing of the season with his first victory since May 2, leading the Indians at Cleveland.

Hershiser (4-3), tagged for seven runs and eight hits in three innings last Friday against Texas, held the Brewers to seven hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Julian Tavarez pitched the eighth and ninth for the Indians, who have won 16 of their last 18 home games.

New York 4, Oakland 3--Wade Boggs hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, leading the Yankees over the Athletics at New York.

Ruben Rivera, who earlier had a two-run double for his first major league hit, was hit by a pitch with two outs in the eighth from Billy Taylor (1-1). Derek Jeter bunted for a single and Boggs singled off Mike Mohler.

Kenny Rogers (3-0) gave up six hits in eight innings, walking two and striking out one. John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Toronto 5, Minnesota 4--Pinch-hitter Charlie O’Brien singled in the winning run in the 10th inning as the Blue Jays rallied at Toronto.

John Olerud opened the 10th with a single off Mike Milchin (1-1) and pinch-hitter Robert Perez sacrificed pinch-runner Felipe Crespo to second. O’Brien singled to right-center off Erik Bennett to score Crespo ahead of right fielder Roberto Kelly’s throw.

Reliever Marty Jansen (2-0) struck out six in 4 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays ended a three-game losing streak.

Kansas City 4, Texas 2--Kevin Appier scattered eight hits over 7 2/3 innings for his first victory in three weeks and Craig Paquette and Sal Fasano homered for the Royals at Kansas City.

Appier (4-4) struck out seven and walked one. Hipolito Pichardo got the last out in the eighth and Jeff Montgomery worked the ninth for his 13th save as the Royals won their fourth in a row.