Expos’ Juden Beats His Idol Clemens

When Jeff Juden was growing up in Salem, Mass., his idol was Roger Clemens.

“I’ve dreamed about pitching against Roger Clemens for a long time,” said Juden.

But in his imagination, it’s doubtful he could have envisioned what happened in Toronto Tuesday.

With a sold-out SkyDome and Canadian bragging rights on the line, Juden took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning as the Montreal Expos beat Clemens and the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-1, to clinch the first-ever interleague series between the nation’s two teams.

“What can I say? This was a thrill,” Juden said.

Before 50,436 on Canada Day--the first sellout at SkyDome since Toronto’s 1995 season opener--Juden (10-2) didn’t allow a hit until Shawn Green homered to start the Toronto eighth.

Orlando Merced had the other Toronto hit, chasing Juden with a one-out single in the ninth.

Juden, who won his fifth consecutive start, struck out a career-high 14 and walked two--both in the first inning.

Juden, claimed on waivers by the Expos last July 11, 1996, retired 19 consecutive batters after walking Delgado with two outs in the first. The streak ended when Green homered on an 0-2 pitch.

After Merced singled, Ugueth Urbina finished for his 15th save, striking out Joe Carter and getting Carlos Delgado on a deep fly to center field.

“There was a little bit of everything--good defense, great pitching and some timely hitting. Just a really special day for Canada,” Juden said. “I was glad to be part of it.”

Montreal has the best interleague record in the major leagues at 7-1.

Clemens (12-3) gave up a run-scoring double to David Segui in the first and a solo homer to Rondell White in the second. Green misplayed Segui’s fly to left, letting it fall for a hit that ended Clemens’ shutout streak at 17 innings.

Clemens gave up 10 hits in 8 1/3 innings, struck out eight and walked two.

Seattle 15, San Francisco 4--Rookie Jose Cruz Jr. drove in a season-high five runs with a two home runs to lead the Mariners over the Giants at Seattle.

Cruz, the third pick overall in the 1995 amateur draft, has eight homers in 26 games since he was brought up from the minors May 31. He went three for five.

Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer and Russ Davis added a two-run shot for the Seattle, which has homered four or more times in eight games this season.

Chicago Cubs 6, Kansas City 1--Shawon Dunston had three hits and Ryne Sandberg drove in two runs to lead the Cubs at Chicago and give the Royals their fourth consecutive loss.

Doug Glanville added a solo homer for the Cubs, who won for the fourth time in five games.

Glendon Rusch (3-5), activated from the disabled list prior to the game, pitched for the Royals after scheduled starter Chris Haney experienced soreness in his left forearm and elbow while warming up. Rusch gave up hits to the first five batters and wound up allowing all six runs and 10 hits in six innings.

Frank Castillo (5-9) gave up an unearned run and five hits in eight innings in getting the victory.

Cleveland 8, Houston 6--Sandy Alomar Jr.’s hit in the seventh inning extended his hitting streak to 27 games and helped the Indians rally for a victory at Houston.

After Alomar’s hit loaded the bases, Matt Williams and Tony Fernandez each hit two-run singles in the seventh.

Alomar’s 27-game streak tied John Flaherty for the second-longest hitting streak for a catcher in major league history. Benito Santiago holds the record of 34 straight games in 1987.

In the fifth, the Astros’ Tim Bogar hit a line drive that rolled under the bullpen bench. Manny Ramirez appeared to believe it was a ground-rule double, and Bogar kept running for an inside-the-park homer.

Cincinnati 9, Milwaukee 1--Joe Oliver homered for a third consecutive game and Terry Pendleton hit a grand slam during a seven-run seventh inning at Cincinnati.

Dave Burba (5-8) pitched a three-hitter to get his first victory since May 18 and end the Reds’ distinction as the only major-league team without a complete game. He also had two hits, including an RBI single in the eighth.

Oakland 8, San Diego 6--Jason Giambi and Scott Brosius hit two-run homers as the Athletics scored four times in the eighth to beat Padres at Oakland.

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago White Sox 0--Jose Guillen’s two-run triple in the seventh broke a scoreless tie and Steve Cooke (6-9) pitched eight shutout innings at Pittsburgh.

Baltimore 4, Philadelphia 1--Randy Myers got his 300th career save and Scott Erickson pitched 7 1/3 strong innings at Baltimore as the Orioles made it two in a row over the Phillies.

St. Louis 2, Minnesota 0--Todd Stottlemyre struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings and Tom Lampkin hit a two-run home run at St. Louis as the Cardinals handed the Twins their fifth loss in six games.

Boston 9, Florida 2--Troy O’Leary was three for four with three RBIs as the Red Sox bounced back from its error-filled opener against Florida to beat the Marlins at Boston.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Jose Cruz Jr.

Team: Seattle

Performance: 3 for 5, 2 homers, 5 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Tony Gwynn

Team: San Diego

Performance: 4 for 5, 2 RBIs, .399 average

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Eric Karros

Team: Dodgers

Performance: 2 for 4, 2 homers, 3 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

PITCHING

Player: Steve Cooke

Team: Pittsburgh

Performance: 8 shutout innings, 5 hits, 8 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Dave Burba

Team: Cincinnati

Performance: 9 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 4 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Chuck Finley

Team: Angels

Performance: 7 1/3 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 6 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win