CLEMENS FIRES 2-HITTER TO STOP MINNESOTA, 1-0

Roger Clemens pitched a two-hitter Saturday, earning his his first victory since June 6 and carrying the Boston Red Sox to a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Clemens (10-6) bested Scott Erickson in a matchup of 1991's top two AL Cy Young vote-getters.In tossing his fourth shutout of the season and 33rd of his career, he gave up only Shane Mack's second-inning infield chop and Gene Larkin's fifth-inning bloop single for his eighth career two-hitter.

Clemens struck out five, walked none, retired the last 14 batters and didn't let a runner past first.

Boston got the game's only run in the first inning.

Billy Hatcher had a double off the glove of first baseman Kent Hrbek, went to third on Phil Plantier's grounder and scored on Wade Boggs' soft single to left.

Clemens had been 0-3 with a 4.07 ERA in his six outings preceding the All-Star break and had to miss one start with a foot injury.

Since winning his last road game May 31, he had been 0-3 with a 5.68 ERA away from Fenway Park. Clemens, who beat out Erickson last season to win his third Cy Young, hadn't won at the Metrodome since July 13, 1989.

Erickson (6-7) allowed only five hits and struck out a season-high seven in his first complete game of the year.

Tigers 5, Athletics 2

At Oakland, Calif., Rob Deer homered twice and was 4 for 4 before leaving with an ankle injury and Dan Gladden's run-scoring single broke a sixth-inning tie to give the Detroit Tigers their second straight victory against the Oakland Athletics.

Cecil Fielder and Travis Fryman also homered for the Tigers, who lead the majors with 113 homers. Deer's fifth two-homer game brought his season total to 23, second in the majors behind Mark McGwire's 28.

Brewers 3, White Sox 1

At Chicago, Scott Fletcher dropped in a two-run double in the seventh inning and Ricky Bones outpitched All-Star Jack McDowell as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago White Sox.

Orioles 7, Rangers 0

At Arlington, Texas, Ben McDonald pitched a two-hitter in the best game of his career and Baltimore beat the Texas Rangers, giving the Orioles consecutive shutouts for the first time in almost seven seasons.

Royals 4, Indians 1

At Kansas City, Mo., Kevin Appier recorded his career-best eighth straight victory and Kansas City won its fourth in a row, 4-1 over the Cleveland Indians.