Clemens Fans 20

Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens set a major league record last night when he struck out 20 Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park in a nine-inning game. Boston won the contest, 3-1, on a three-run homer by Dwight Evans.

Seattle had taken a brief 1-0 lead the inning before when Gorman Thomas had landed a shot in the center field bleachers. It was one of only three hits the Mariners managed on the night, and was soon nullified by Evans' shot.

But the real story was Clemens' record-setting mound performance. His punch-out of Phil Bradley in the ninth inning gave him 20 for the game, eclipsing by one the former nine-inning record held by a number of pitchers.

Clemens, who gave up no walks on the night, also set the major league record for most strikeouts in two consecutive games (32) and tied the American League record by recording eight consecutive "K"s at one point.