Clemens Tops Tribe To Go 7-0
American League
Roger Clemens improved to 7-0, outpitching Orel Hershiser and leading the Toronto Blue Jays past the visiting Cleveland Indians 5-2 Friday night.
Clemens gave up one run and six hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked three as the Blue Jays won for the 10th time in 13 games.
The Indians led 1-0 in the sixth when Clemens issued a leadoff walk to Matt Williams and David Justice singled. But right fielder Orlando Merced made a diving catch on a liner by Manny Ramirez, and Julio Franco grounded into a double play.
Mike Timlin got three outs for his fifth save.
Twins 11, Red Sox 5 Minneapolis
Darrin Jackson, called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to lead Minnesota.
Jackson, who played the last two seasons in Japan after all or part of nine years in the majors, came up twice with the bases loaded and delivered both times.
Rangers 6, Yankees 0 Arlington, Texas
Rookie Julio Santana and reliever Danny Patterson combined on a four-hitter and Texas hit three home runs.
David Wells (4-2) retired the first 16 Texas batters before Bill Ripken doubled with one out in the sixth. With two outs, Damon Buford homered. Will Clark led off the Texas seventh with a home run.
Tigers 10, Royals 2 Kansas City, Mo.
Melvin Nieves hit a three-run homer as Detroit scored eight runs in the ninth.
Justin Thompson (3-2) allowed four hits in eight innings as the Tigers ended the Royals’ season-high three-game winning streak.
Damion Easley drove in three runs for the Tigers, who recorded season highs with seven hits and eight runs in the ninth.
Angels 5, Brewers 1 Anaheim, Calif.
Chuck Finley pitched a five-hitter for his first win this season and Jim Edmonds and Luis Alicea each hit two-run homers.
Anaheim has won five straight games for the first time this season.
Finley (1-3), making his sixth start this season, got his first win since Sept. 23.
White Sox 6, Athletics 2 Oakland, Calif.
Frank Thomas homered and Chicago remained unbeaten in five games against Oakland this season.
Wilson Alvarez (3-4) scattered seven hits in 6-2/3 innings in his second victory in five days over the A’s and Willie Adams (2-5).
Dave Martinez, who missed four games after sustaining a concussion in an outfield collision with Lyle Mouton, returned to the White Sox lineup and hit a sacrifice fly.
Clearing the bases
Roger Clemens’ best start was 14-0 in 1986. … The Indians’ Julio Franco extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in his second at-bat. … The Yankees’ streak of homers in 11 straight games ended.
Cal Ripken’s autobiography, “The Only Way I Know,” is hitting bookstores this month and he’s using the book tour to promote adult literacy.
Ripken kicked off the effort with a $250,000 donation to the Ripken Learning Center. At each stop on the tour - including today’s in Seattle - he will add a contribution to area literacy organizations, totaling another $250,000.