Clemens Is First to Seven Victories

Roger Clemens won his seventh start in a row and struck out a season-high 11 in leading the Houston Astros to a 6-1 victory over the Florida Marlins on Tuesday night in Houston.

Clemens (7-0) gave up only three hits, including a second-inning solo homer to Ramon Castro, over seven innings for his 317th victory, one behind Phil Niekro for 14th place on the career list.

The 41-year-old right-hander has won 11 regular-season starts in a row and is the first seven-game winner in the major leagues.

“You should cherish these moments. It’s pretty special, and it’s happening in Houston,” Astro Manager Jimy Williams said.

At one point, Clemens retired 14 batters in a row.

Brad Penny (3-2) fared well against the National League’s top offensive team but took the loss, giving up two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.

Penny didn’t give up a hit until Jeff Bagwell’s shot bounced off the glove of shortstop Alex Gonzalez in the fourth.

Houston finally scored in the seventh, when Lance Berkman doubled in Jeff Kent and Ensberg hit a run-scoring single for a 2-1 lead.

Biggio homered in the eighth, Berkman hit a run-scoring single off Franklyn Gracesqui and Ensberg had a two-run single against Nate Bump.

“It was just one of those nights,” Penny said. “You’re going to have games like this when you pitch well and lose.”

Said Marlin Manager Jack McKeon: “Penny was great, but with Clemens there’s no margin for errors. When you’re pitching against a guy like Clemens, every one of your mistakes is going to be magnified.”

Houston, which has won 10 of 12, tied the 1973 Astros for the best start in franchise history through 32 games at 21-11.

McKeon, who became the Marlins’ manager at the age of 72 a year earlier, figured a win for Clemens was another victory for all old guys.

“That’s what happens when us old guys come out of retirement,” he quipped.

Philadelphia 10, San Francisco 4 -- Kevin Millwood shut down the Giants in his first start against the team he no-hit last year as the Phillies romped to a victory at San Francisco.

The 10 runs were the Phillies’ most since getting that many last Sept. 14 at Pittsburgh.

The Giants’ Barry Bonds had one hit and was walked intentionally -- his major league-leading 51st walk. The fans behind home plate twirled rubber chickens, which is apparently the latest way of showing outrage to those who walk the six-time most valuable player. Ushers handed out the chickens before the game.

Cincinnati 6, San Diego 3 -- Adam Dunn tied for the major league lead with his 11th home run, and Ken Griffey Jr. also connected to lead the Reds to victory at San Diego.

San Diego native Aaron Harang (3-1) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings, beating David Wells (2-3).

Sean Burroughs had three hits for San Diego and reached base four times.

Griffey hit a solo shot leading off the second, his eighth career homer off Wells, his most off any pitcher.

Milwaukee 8, Montreal 5 -- The Brewers overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth inning, and Wes Helms hit a game-winning three-run homer off T.J. Tucker in the 14th at Milwaukee.

Helms, who hadn’t driven in a run since April 10, ended a 4-hour, 20-minute game with a drive into left-center off Tucker (0-1). Dave Burba (3-1) pitched one scoreless inning for the win.

With Milwaukee down to its last out in the ninth, six Brewers reached base in a row to force extra innings.

Arizona 9, New York 5 -- Steve Finley hit a grand slam, and Shea Hillenbrand had three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs as the Diamondbacks won at Phoenix. Brian Bruney (1-0) struck out two in one inning for his first major league victory.

St. Louis 5, Atlanta 1 -- Woody Williams, an 18-game winner last year, won for the first time in seven starts with eight strong innings for the Cardinals at St. Louis.

Mike Matheny drove in two runs with a bases-loaded groundout in the second and a squeeze bunt in the sixth.

Pittsburgh 15, Colorado 10 -- The Pirates scored five runs in the 12th inning to defeat the Rockies at Denver.