Clemens Heats Up Against Orioles

American League

Roger Clemens stymied Baltimore over 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing of the season, and Mo Vaughn homered as visiting Boston beat Baltimore.

Clemens allowed six hits and no earned runs in his fifth start since leaving the disabled list June 2. He struck out one, walked three and hit a batter.

The right-hander left with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh after walking two straight batters. Rheal Cormier came in and retired Rafael Palmeiro on a fly ball to preserve Boston’s 3-1 lead.

A walk, a single and two wild pitches by Baltimore’s Gene Harris gave the Red Sox a three-run cushion in the eighth. Stan Belinda got the final four outs for his fourth save.

Clemens, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury in April and May, threw a season-high 106 pitches, seven more than he did last Saturday in 6-plus innings against Milwaukee.

Vaughn hit his 18th homer, and second in two days, to move into a tie with Oakland’s Mark McGwire for the A.L. lead. Teammate Jose Canseco, who went 0 for 3, is 0 for 11 since getting off the disabled list Tuesday and 0 for 24 since May 10.

Brewers 9, Blue Jays 0

Toronto

In a game in which seven fans were injured by falling tiles, Milwaukee beat Toronto.

Rookie Steve Sparks combined with Mike Ignasiak and Graeme Lloyd on a four-hit shutout to complete a three-game sweep for the Brewers.

Clearing the bases

Darryl Strawberry prepared for the end of his 60-day suspension by donning Yankee pinstripes, taking his first swings in the batting cage and accepting responsibility for his drug and alcohol problems.

“For a long time, I’ve been my own worst enemy,” Strawberry said at a news conference. “I don’t want to do that any longer.”

The 33-year-old outfielder will play for the Tampa Yankees in the Class A Florida State League after his suspension ends Saturday.