Clemens Survives Homers, Brawl To Defeat Tigers

-- BOSTON - It was a scary moment for the Boston Red Sox, an angry .177 hitter charging the mound with bat in hand. Standing on that mound, All-Star Roger Clemens.

But catcher John Marzano came to Clemens' defense by tackling Detroit's John Shelby from behind before all three were buried in a three-man pileup during a nasty bench-clearing melee yesterday.

Shelby was all bent out of shape because he was hit by a pitch in the second inning after consecutive homers by Pete Incaviglia and Rob Deer. After bodies were untangled and peace restored without any punches thrown, Shelby was ejected. Clemens stayed and shut down the Tigers the rest of the way.

Clemens, headed for Tuesday's All-Star Game with an 11-5 record, settled down after being warned in Detroit's four-run second and earned a 7-4 victory over the Tigers with ninth-inning relief from Jeff Reardon.

Reardon recorded his 21st save of the season and No. 308 of his career, moving past Goose Gossage into second place on the all-time list.

"It seems like they get tougher and tougher, but this one was a real struggle," Clemens said after giving up 11 hits, striking out nine and walking two.

"After the home runs, Shelby hit the first pitch to him foul to left," Clemens said. "It was a fastball three or four pitches outside that he went out and got. Then I came inside with a fastball. I thought he was going to get out of the way, but it hit him in the back.

"The next thing I knew he was on his way to the mound with the bat in his hand. There wasn't much I could do except hold my ground. Then Marzie kind of bulldogged him from behind, like we do in Texas.

"Everybody then began scuffing around and I was on the bottom of the pile. When it was all over, I went over to him (Shelby) and told him I had to pitch inside because I've been leaving too many balls out over the plate.

"I can't remember the last time I tried to throw at anybody. I'm not out there trying to hit or hurt anybody."

TWINS 5, WHITE SOX 4

-- CHICAGO - Kent Hrbek hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to rally Minnesota.

Chicago's Melido Perez retired the first batter in the eighth, then Scott Radinsky (2-3) relieved. After pinch hitter Shane Mack struck out, Kirby Puckett singled and Hrbek hit his eighth home run.

Winner Carl Willis (3-2) pitched three scoreless innings and Rick Aguilera worked 1 1/3 innings for his 22nd save in 28 chances. The Twins won for only the third time in 11 games.

INDIANS 2, BREWERS 0

-- CLEVELAND - Greg Swindell gave up two hits in seven innings as Cleveland beat Milwaukee, giving Mike Hargrove a victory in his first game as manager.

YANKEES 13, ORIOLES 5

-- NEW YORK - Matt Nokes hit two homers and drove in six runs as New York rallied to beat Baltimore for the Yankees' seventh win in eight games.

A'S 9, ROYALS 7

-- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Danny Tartabull hit three home runs, but Kansas City still tied a team record with its eighth straight home loss.

Tartabull became the first Kansas City player to hit three home runs at Royals Stadium. It was his first career three-homer game, and he drove in four runs. Tartabull hit a routine fly ball in his other at-bat.

RANGERS 4, ANGELS 3

-- ARLINGTON, Texas - Ivan Rodriguez provided the go-ahead runs with a sixth-inning single as Texas took advantage of an error by pitcher Jim Abbott to beat the Angels.

Winner Kevin Brown (7-6) allowed seven hits in seven innings.