Clemens’ Record Robust at 16-1

For the first time in 32 years, a major league pitcher has a record of 16-1.

Roger Clemens improved upon the best season of his career, record-wise, by giving up only four hits in seven innings at New York to lead the Yankees over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 10-3, Wednesday night.

Clemens, 39, is only the sixth major leaguer since 1900 to start 16-1, the first since Dave McNally did it for the Baltimore Orioles in 1969.

“I don’t know the history behind it, and I don’t think it matters unless we get to where we want to be--staying in first place and reaching our goals,” said Clemens, who won his 12th consecutive decision.

He struck out the leadoff hitter five times and finished with eight strikeouts as the Yankees increased their AL East lead over Boston to five games--matching their largest of the season.

Clemens is only the sixth pitcher in modern major league history to post a record of 16-1. The others are McNally, Rube Marquard (1912), Guy Bush (1929), Don Newcombe (1955) and ElRoy Face (1959).

“He certainly has been leading this staff all year. He hasn’t had a bad start yet,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said.

The Yankees scored twice in the first, once in the second and twice in the third against Paul Wilson (5-8) to give Clemens a comfortable lead.

Clemens did not give up a hit until the fifth inning--the one frame when he encountered some trouble. Tampa Bay sent eight batters to the plate and scored twice on a bases-loaded single by Chris Gomez before Clemens retired Brent Abernathy on a grounder to shortstop.

He retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh.

Torre then elected to turn the ball over to reliever Mark Wohlers after the Yankees scored five runs in the seventh for a 10-2 lead.

Clemens said he knew he was working on a no-hitter when the fifth inning began.

“I knew it, but I really didn’t think about it. I’ve taken them into the eighth and ninth inning before, and that’s when it would have been something to be careful with,” Clemens said.