Clemens’ 18th in a Row Sets League Record

Roger Clemens set an American League record Saturday by winning his 18th consecutive decision, pitching the New York Yankees to a 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opening game of a doubleheader at Chicago.

The White Sox won the second game, 2-1, ending a five-game losing streak. Reliever Bill Simas struck out pinch-hitter Chili Davis with the bases loaded to end the game.

Clemens (3-0) won in his first outing since April 27 and one day after he came off the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

The five-time Cy Young winner hasn’t lost since May 29, 1998, when the Seattle Mariners beat him while he was with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“To be undefeated for that long, it’s pretty special,” Clemens said. “You have to be good, you have to be lucky, you have to be consistent.”

“Obviously the guys have bailed me out in a couple of poor games I pitched. But I know along the way if you look back, there are probably some games I could have won and maybe obtained the streak just as easily and earlier. What it means is that I’m doing things right.”

Clemens moved past the Cleveland Indians’ Johnny Allen (1936-37) and the Baltimore Orioles’ Dave McNally (1968-69), who both won 17 consecutive American League decisions. Clemens’ streak includes 10 no-decisions.

The major league record for consecutive wins is 24 by Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants in 1936-37.

Clemens’ victory was his 236th and tied him with another Yankee pitcher, Whitey Ford, for 49th place on the all-time list.

“What a great name,” Clemens said. “At this stage of my career when I approach the great ones, the Hall of Famers, the great old-timers, it’s pretty mind boggling. I’m really happy about it. It’s awesome.”

Clemens left an April 27 game against the Texas Rangers after two innings--trailing, 5-0--because of the hamstring injury. After rigorous rehab, he came off the disabled list but then had to wait an extra day to start when Friday night’s game was rained out.

He gave up six hits and two runs in six innings.

Boston 6, Toronto 4--John Valentin hit the third grand slam of his career and drove in five runs for the streaking Red Sox at Boston.

Valentin and Trot Nixon each had four hits as the Red Sox won for the 13th time in 16 games. Boston is tied with Cleveland for the most grand slams in the majors this season with four.

Tim Wakefield (2-4) pitched four-hit ball for 8 1/3 innings. He left in the ninth after a walk and a hit batter, and reliever John Wasdin gave up a two-run triple to Jose Cruz Jr. and a run-scoring single to Craig Grebeck.

Tom Gordon got the last out for his sixth save.

Seattle 7, Kansas City 4--Russ Davis hit a two-run homer and the Mariners scored two runs on a bizarre play in the seventh inning at Kansas City.

With two out in the seventh and runners at first and third, David Segui hit a sinking liner to center. Carlos Beltran appeared to make a sliding catch, but the ball, obscured by Beltran’s body, squirted out of his glove.

Almost everybody, including third baseman Joe Randa, thought he had made the play. While the infielders trotted in, Beltran fired the ball to third, but nobody was there. His throw sailed to the dugout fence, allowing Ken Griffey Jr. to score from first.

Minnesota 2, Oakland 1--Todd Walker homered to lead off the 10th inning at Minneapolis.

Walker lined a 1-1 pitch from Brad Rigby (2-1) just inside the foul pole in left, barely clearing the wall.