Clemens Wins, First Pitcher to Go 20-1

On another day and at another time, Roger Clemens hopes he will be able to enjoy his latest milestone. Right now, it’s not that important.

“It just doesn’t take on as much meaning as it would have because of the circumstances,” Clemens said Wednesday night after he became the first pitcher in major league history to go 20-1, leading the New York Yankees over the Chicago White Sox, 6-3, at Chicago.

It had been only eight days since terrorists attacked the United States, and Clemens wasn’t ready to celebrate a baseball achievement.

“It’s a different feeling,” he said. “There are a lot of things we take for granted and I didn’t know how I’d feel once I got out on the mound. It’s been an unbelievable week with everything.”

The 39-year-old right-hander reached 20 wins for the sixth time in his career and became the oldest 20-game winner in the AL since Early Wynn did it in 1959, just shy of his 40th birthday.

He has won 16 consecutive decisions, his only loss coming May 20 at Seattle. His career record improved to 280-143 and he is the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award, which he already has won five times. He also moved within five of Bert Blyleven (3,701) for third on the career strikeout list.

The Rocket gave up three runs and five hits in 61/3 innings and struck out a season-low one. It was his first start since Sept. 5, when he beat Toronto and joined Rube Marquard as the only pitchers since 1900 to go 19-1.

“To go 20-1 at his age and being a power pitcher really says a lot about how special he is,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said.

Mariano Rivera earned his 46th save, tying the club record set by Dave Righetti in 1986.

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Texas 10, Oakland 4--Alex Rodriguez hit his career-high 46th home run at Arlington, Texas.

Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Tim Hudson (16-8), and Texas led the rest of the way. He moved closer to matching Ernie Banks’ big league record of 47 home runs by a shortstop set in 1958.

Cleveland 11, Kansas City 3--Bartolo Colon pitched eight strong innings and Roberto Alomar and Jim Thome each had three RBIs to lead the Indians at Cleveland.

Cleveland extended its AL Central lead to seven games over Minnesota with 16 games remaining. The teams play six times, including three in Minnesota this weekend.

Detroit 6, Minnesota 2--Bobby Higginson homered twice and Steve Sparks pitched a six-hitter at Minneapolis.

Tampa Bay 12, Boston 2--Aubrey Huff had three of his career-high five RBIs in Tampa Bay’s season-high, eight-run sixth inning at Boston.

Toronto 4, Baltimore 1--Roy Halladay handed the Orioles their season-high 10th consecutive loss, striking out a career-high 11 at Toronto.