Clemens Wins No. 16 in Grand Style

Roger Clemens has needed to be nearly perfect for most of this season pitching for the weak-hitting Toronto Blue Jays.

But Clemens got a cushion in becoming the first 16-game winner in the majors and the Blue Jays, behind Joe Carter’s 10th career grand slam--one of only four Toronto hits--beat the Brewers, 8-0, at Toronto.

“It’s not too often that you find a Phil Garner team that gives you one,” Clemens said. “But it was important for me to attack and stay aggressive. They’ve always played us tough so you don’t take a breather against those guys.”

Clemens (16-3) lowered his major league-leading earned run average to 1.54, giving up seven hits in winning his fourth straight start. He struck out seven, walked two and did not allow a runner past second base.

Detroit 8, Chicago 6--Matt Walbeck and Damion Easley each hit two-run homers as the Tigers overcame a four-run deficit at Detroit.

It was the second homer this season for Walbeck, who was greeted by silence from his teammates when he returned to the dugout.

“I think they were shocked, more than anything,” Walbeck said. “But it’ll be memorable for me. Every one of them are. I don’t get that many.”

With two outs and an 0-2 count, Walbeck was just trying to protect the plate. Instead, his two-run homer paved the way for a Detroit victory.

“With two outs and two strikes, I was just trying to put the ball in play. It was a real good pitch, too,” said Walbeck, a light-hitting catcher who has 11 homers in his five-year big-league career.

Willie Blair (9-4) gave up five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in seven innings. He has won his last five outings, including one relief appearance.

Seattle 6, Cleveland 3--Omar Olivares won his first start for the visiting Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr.’s homerless streak has reached a season-high 13 games.

Griffey, who has not homered since July 5, was one for four with a double and a sacrifice fly. He last hit a homer on July 5, his 30th and his only homer in 24 games, and is batting .212 since returning from an injured right hamstring on June 28.

Olivares (6-6), acquired with Felipe Lira in a trade with Detroit last Friday, gave up two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Griffey, one for eight in the series, had his ups and downs Wednesday night.

With runners at first and third and one out in the sixth, Griffey fouled off several 95-mph fastballs from Bartolo Colon (2-4) before lofting a foul fly down the left-field line. Justice slid in foul territory and made an outstanding catch, then nearly threw out Joey Cora at the plate. Cora was safe, tying the game, 2-2, and Griffey was credited with a sacrifice fly.

The Mariners took a 3-2 lead when Alex Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch by Colon two batters later.

Griffey’s high drive to left in the eighth was one that Justice could not reach. It went for a double, and Griffey scored on a single by Edgar Martinez to make it 6-2.

As if his hitting woes weren’t frustrating enough, Griffey’s fielding was less than its usual stellar level. He sprinted to the right-center field alley in the fifth only to drop a liner by Marquis Grissom. However, It was scored a triple.

Kansas City 5, Minnesota 1--Tim Belcher became the first Royal starter to win since June 27, pitching into the eighth inning at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium, to help the Royals end the Twins’ five-game winning streak.

Royal starters had gone 0-14 since Kevin Appier beat Milwaukee on June 27 and Kansas City won for just the third time in 21 games.

Belcher (9-9), winless in six starts since beating Pittsburgh on June 14, scattered seven hits in seven-plus innings as only one runner reached second base through the first six innings.

Jay Bell’s two-run single highlighted a four-run second inning that was more than enough for Belcher.

Baltimore 3, Texas 2 Jeff Reboulet, who entered the game in the 10th inning, singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning giving the Orioles a victory at Texas and a three-game sweep.

Baltimore’s Geronimo Berroa drew a leadoff walk from Danny Patterson (6-4) in the 12th. He stole second, took third on Chris Hoiles’ fly ball, and scored when Reboulet singled over a drawn-in infield.

Texas put a runner on third base with one out but did not score twice in the extra innings. Will Clark flied out with runners at the corners to end the game.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tim Salmon Angels 3 for 3, homer, 3 RBIs Loss Charlie Hayes New York 2 for 3, homer, 2 RBIs Win Harold Baines Chicago 3 for 4, homer Loss Joe Carter Toronto 2 for 3, grand slam Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Roger Clemens Toronto 8 innings, 0 runs, 7 strikeouts Tim Belcher Kansas City 7 innings, 1 run, 3 strikeouts

Player Team’s Result Roger Clemens Win Tim Belcher Win

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