Clemens’ Record Rockets To 8-0

American League

Roger Clemens earned his 200th victory and his eighth straight of 1997, leading Toronto to a 4-1 win Wednesday over the host New York Yankees.

Clemens (8-0) became the 94th pitcher to reach the 200-win plateau with the same type of performance that has made him baseball’s most dominant pitcher the past decade.

Relying almost exclusively on his fastball, Clemens allowed four hits in eight innings, striking out 12 - including seven of 10 from the fourth through sixth innings.

Orioles 2, Tigers 0 Baltimore

Scott Erickson became the second eight-game winner in the major leagues, and Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-run homer as Baltimore won its fifth straight game.

Erickson had a no-hitter until Brian Hunter opened the sixth inning with an infield hit.

White Sox 10, Red Sox 5 Chicago

Frank Thomas homered twice and drove in five runs as Chicago won its sixth straight.

Indians 1, Royals 0 Cleveland

Cleveland won without hitting a home run for the first time this season and denied Kansas City’s Kevin Appier his 100th career win.

Brewers 5, Twins 4 Milwaukee

Ben McDonald survived another shaky start, and Milwaukee snapped a seven-game skid.

Athletics 7, Rangers 3 Arlington, Texas

Dave Telgheder claimed his first victory since last September, and Geronimo Berroa homered and drove in three runs as Oakland ended a four-game losing streak.

Boss’ lawsuit begins

The lawyer for George Steinbrenner said that defendants were starting to be served in the antitrust suit against baseball filed earlier this month by the New York Yankees owner.

Steinbrenner and Adidas sued every other team in baseball and many baseball officials, alleging they violated antitrust laws by ordering the team not to sell merchandise with the Yankees and Adidas logo at Yankee Stadium.

Clearing the bases

Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry, on the disabled list since April 11 with an injured left knee, had his knee re-examined by the team physician.

Strawberry will see Dr.

Russell Warren, the New York Giants’ doctor, today before deciding on surgery. … The only other active pitcher besides Roger Clemens with more than 200 wins is Seattle’s Dennis Martinez, who has 241… . Texas pitcher Roger Pavlik will be sidelined a minimum of 12 weeks after right elbow surgery on Friday. … Former Minnesota Twins third baseman Scott Leius, signed earlier this month with the St. Paul Saints of the Northern League, was sold to the Chicago White Sox… . Rafael Palmeiro has a 10-game hitting streak for Baltimore.