Minnesota sensation Francisco Liriano pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Twins over the Houston Astros 4-2 in interleague play on Thursday in Roger Clemens' much-anticipated debut.
Beginning his 23rd major league season, Clemens (0-1) was looking for his 342nd win. But instead it was Liriano, only 7 months old when Clemens started his big league career, who earned his eighth victory.
It was Clemens' first major league start since leaving Game 1 of the World Series exactly eight months ago with a strained hamstring. He allowed six hits and two runs while striking out four and walking two.
Liriano (7-1) gave up just four hits in eight innings and didn't allow a run until Jason Lane's two-run homer in the eighth, helping the Twins to their ninth win in 10 games and their fourth straight series victory.
Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 11th save.
White Sox 1, Cardinals 0
At Chicago, Jim Thome homered in the seventh inning for the only hit off rookie Anthony Reyes, sending Freddy Garcia and the White Sox over St. Louis.
Missing suspended manager Ozzie Guillen, the World Series champions won their seventh straight and finished a three-game sweep of the National League Central leaders, shut out despite the return of Albert Pujols.
Reyes (1-1), recalled from Triple-A Memphis before the game, retired his first 13 batters against a team that had 33 runs and 40 hits in the first two games of the series.
Garcia (9-4) allowed four hits in eight innings, retiring 13 straight during one stretch. But his effort was overshadowed for the first 6 1-3 innings by Reyes, who mixed pitches and changed speeds.
Marlins 8, Orioles 5
At Baltimore, Miguel Cabrera, refusing to be walked, reached across the plate and hit an intentional ball from Todd Williams for a 10th-inning RBI single, helping Florida rally past Baltimore.
The Marlins trailed 5-1 in the ninth before coming back against Baltimore closer Chris Ray, who was 18-for-18 in save situations this season.
Then, with the score tied at 5 in the 10th, Hanley Ramirez led off with an infield hit against Williams (1-3). Ramirez took second on a groundout, bringing Cabrera to the plate.
With catcher Ramon Hernandez standing upright and calling for an intentional walk, Cabrera stepped into the soft, outside pitch and drove it to center, scoring Ramirez with the go-ahead run on a swing more likely to be seen in the movies than the major leagues.
Two more runs scored on a throwing error by shortstop Miguel Tejada.
Randy Messenger (1-3) worked the ninth and earned his first major league win, and Joe Borowski got three outs for his 13th save.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 2
At Atlanta, thanks to another bullpen meltdown, Atlanta has lost 10 consecutive games for the first time in 18 years.
With the loss, the Braves have been swept in three straight series of at least three games for the first time since 1977. They have lost 10 straight games for the first time since an 0-10 start to the 1988 season.
Toronto welcomed back starter A.J. Burnett, who pitching for the first time since April 21. He gave up only five hits and two runs in six innings. Burnett, who struck out seven, showed no signs of the soreness in his right elbow that caused him to go on the disabled list on April 22.
Ty Taubenheim (1-4) recorded two outs in the seventh for his first win. B.J. Ryan got the final three outs for his 20th save -- and third of the series -- in 21 chances.
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