Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991 TAG: 9104190140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON LENGTH: Medium
Roger Clemens increased his shutout streak to 23 innings as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals and Bret Saberhagen 1-0.
Clemens (3-0), who shut out Cleveland in his last start, allowed three hits in eight innings. He walked one and struck out 10, reaching double figures for his second straight game and the 43rd time in his career.
"It was the type of game where you hope for a break, and we got it," Clemens said after running his lifetime record over Kansas City to 11-2. "They hit some balls hard, but our guys came up with them. I had good stuff, but my forkball kept doing different things and it was hard to keep it in the strike zone."
Clemens, pitching while his five-game suspension is being appealed, was scheduled for a hearing today before commissioner Fay Vincent in New York. Clemens was given the penalty for his conduct in Game 4 of last year's AL playoffs.
Saberhagen (1-2) gave up four hits, struck out five and walked one in seven innings, but was the victim of an error by left fielder Jim Eisenreich as the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep, their first against Kansas City since 1988.
"He pitched just as well, but didn't have any luck," Clemens said.
Saberhagen said: "You go in against Clemens and you expect to have a great ballgame, and that's exactly what happened. You can't make mistakes in a ballpark like this with that kind of lineup."
Wade Boggs singled with two out in the third inning for the game's first hit. Jody Reed then broke an 0-for-17 slump by poking a 3-2 pitch into shallow left and Boggs scored all the way from first as the ball skipped past Eisenreich for an error.
Jack Clark singled to lead off the fourth inning and two outs later advanced to third on two wild pitches by Saberhagen, but Carlos Quintana lined out to end the inning.
Tom Brunansky doubled in the seventh inning and took third on Quintana's sacrifice. Tony Pena then lined out and Saberhagen struck out Tim Naehring for the third time.
Kansas City advanced a runner to third only once. Eisenreich singled to lead off the sixth inning, Kevin Seitzer struck out for the third time and Eisenreich stole second. He took third on an infield out, but Danny Tartabull fouled out to end the threat.
Tony Fossas got one out in the ninth inning and Jeff Reardon finished the three-hitter for his second save.
Clemens is 21-6 in April with a 2.10 ERA. He threw 123 pitches, 83 for strikes, in windy, 44-degree weather.
George Brett went 0-for-3 and has two hits in his last 19 at-bats. He needs one hit to reach 2,715 and tie Bill Buckner for 40th place on the all-time list.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB