Clemens Roars In Red Sox Rout

American League

Roger Clemens struck out a season-high nine Saturday night for his first win in nearly a month, leading the Boston Red Sox to their 10th consecutive victory, 7-0 over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles have lost 10 of 13 games since July 30 to fall 13 games behind first-place Boston. On July 30, they were in second place just 4-1/2 games behind.

Any A.L. East contenders not already scared off by the Red Sox winning streak will now have to take notice that Clemens (4-4) is showing signs of the form that won him three Cy Young Awards.

After starting his season in June because of a sore shoulder, Clemens had not pitched consistently. But after allowing one run in a six-inning no-decision on Monday, he came back with his best outing of the year.

Clemens, who hadn’t won since July 18, allowed six hits and one walk before coming out to a standing ovation after Curtis Goodwin and Rafael Palmiero singled with two outs in the eighth.

Twins 6, Angels 4

Minneapolis

Rookie Jose Parra held baseball’s highest scoring team to three hits over six innings to win his first major-league game as Minnesota beat California.

Parra (1-0), obtained July 31 from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for Kevin Tapani and Mark Guthrie, retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced. He walked one and struck out three before giving way to reliever Pat Mahomes at the start of the seventh.

Dave Stevens pitched the ninth for his eighth save, finishing off a combined seven-hitter.

Yankees 3, Indians 2

New York

Jack McDowell threw 142 pitches and kept New York from turning to its beleaguered bullpen, ending the Yankees’ four-game losing streak with a victory over Cleveland.

Cleveland had won three in a row from the Yankees, coming back each time - including twice in the ninth inning against closer John Wetteland.

But McDowell (10-8) pitched a seven-hitter, walked three and struck out four.

Athletics 8, White Sox 2

Chicago

Terry Steinbach had four hits and four RBIs and Todd Van Poppel got his first win as a starter in more than a year as Oakland beat Chicago.

Van Poppel (2-4) picked up his first victory as a starter since last Aug. 7 by allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Tigers 8, Brewers 2

Milwaukee

Lou Whitaker hit a three-run homer and Jose Lima earned his first major-league victory as Detroit beat Milwaukee, snapping a four-game skid.

Whitaker’s three-run shot capped a four-run, two-out rally off Jamie McAndrew as Detroit went ahead a 5-2 in the fifth. He also had an RBI single in the Tigers’ three-run seventh.

Rangers 6, Blue Jays 3

Arlington, Texas

Bobby Witt celebrated his return to Texas by taking a shutout into the seventh inning in the Rangers’ win over Toronto.

Witt, 68-72 for Texas from 1986-92, won in his first appearance for the Rangers since they got him from Florida on Aug. 8 in a trade for pitcher Wilson Heredia and another minor leaguer.

Clearing the bases

Oakland first baseman Mark McGwire was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, and manager Tony La Russa hinted that outfielder Rickey Henderson might join McGwire soon.

It was the second trip to the disabled list within a month for McGwire, who was out July 18-Aug. 2 with a bruised left foot.

The A’s might make another move this week if Henderson’s strained left hamstring doesn’t improve.

… Cleveland placed Dave Winfield on the disabled list with a strained left rotator cuff for the second time this season and filled his roster spot by promoting left-handed pitcher Alan Embree.

… Franklin Stubbs was activated by the Detroit Tigers, filling the roster spot vacated by Kirk Gibson’s retirement.