In This Fan Club, Clemens Has Only Himself to Join

Faced with the possibility that these are the final two weeks of his Red Sox career, Roger Clemens has been nostalgic. He has talked about pitching at Fenway Park on the final home stand, about bidding farewell to the fans and taking a handful of infield dirt as a souvenir.

What Clemens is most concerned about, though, is leaving his name in the franchise record book. Catching Cy Young on top of the victory list is a borderline obsession.

But while Clemens was chasing Young on Wednesday at Tiger Stadium, he was sidetracked on another pursuit.

For one night, he chased his own legend. Ten years after setting a major league record with 20 strikeouts, Clemens matched the record in a 4-0 victory over the Tigers.

Clemens (10-12) struck out 12 through five innings, 15 through six and and 17 through seven. When he took the mound in the ninth one short of his record, the crowd of about 5,000 gave him a standing ovation.

Alan Trammell, who had one of four hits off Clemens, led off by popping to first baseman Mo Vaughn. Ruben Sierra singled to center before Tony Clark lined to left.

With his teammates standing on the top step of the dugout, Clemens struck out Travis Fryman to end the game. He looked to the sky and waved his hand as teammates mobbed him.

But until catcher Bill Haselman told him he tied the record, Clemens thought his only celebration was for tying Young in franchise victories (192) and shutouts (38).

“I had no idea,” said Clemens, a three-time Cy Young Award winner. “I knew I had a bunch, but I didn’t think I was approaching 20. It’s incredible. It hasn’t sunk in.”

Clemens, who walked none and threw 151 pitches (101 strikes), said he was not tired late in the game. Indeed, he was clocked at 96 mph in the ninth inning.

What carried Clemens? Perhaps the image of Cy Young. Before the game, Clemens asked Manager Kevin Kennedy to try to preserve a shutout if he carried one into the late innings.

In the final year of his contract, Clemens wanted to preserve his place in Red Sox history.

“It was adrenaline,” Clemens said. “I knew about the two records. When you’re chasing the guy who they named the greatest pitching award after, you don’t get tired.”

Ten years ago, Clemens first won the award named after Young. That season was marked by his 20-strikeout, no-walk outing against Seattle on April 29 at Fenway.

At 23, it was somewhat of a coming-out party.

Now 34, he leads the American League in strikeouts (239) while completing one of the most frustrating seasons of his career. A lack of run support and an unreliable bullpen has left him with a record that does not reflect how well he has pitched.

In August, he pitched 28 consecutive scoreless innings. His ERA in his past eight starts is 1.86.

“I don’t worry about the future,” Clemens said, “because I don’t have any control over it. But not knowing the future, it’s important to throw everything I can into [the final few starts].”

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Special Ks

Pitchers who have struck out 18 or more batters in a nine-inning game with teams, dates and opponents:

20--Roger Clemens, Boston, Sept. 18, 1996, at Detroit

20--Roger Clemens, Boston, April 29, 1986, vs. Seattle

19--David Cone, New York (NL), Oct. 6, 1991, vs. Philadelphia

19--Nolan Ryan, Angels, Aug. 12, 1974, vs. Boston

19--Tom Seaver, New York (NL), April 22, 1970, vs. San Diego

19--Steve Carlton, Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 1969, vs. New York

18--Randy Johnson, Seattle, Sept. 27, 1992, at Texas (8 innings)

18--Ramon Martinez, Dodgers, June 4, 1990, vs. Atlanta.

18--Bill Gullickson, Montreal, Sept. 10, 1980, vs Chicago.

18--Ron Guidry, New York (AL), June 17, 1978, vs. Angels

18--Nolan Ryan, Angels, Sept. 10, 1976, at Chicago.

18--Don Wilson, Houston, July 14, 1968, at Cincinnati.

18--Sandy Koufax, Dodgers, April 24, 1962, at Chicago.

18--Sandy Koufax, Dodgers, Aug. 31, 1959, vs. San Francisco.

18--Bob Feller, Cleveland, Oct. 2, 1938, vs. Detroit.