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30 Years Ago Today, Roger Clemens Struck Out 20 For Red Sox

BOSTON (CBS) -- Thirty years ago today, Red Sox fans got to witness a MLB history at Fenway Park. It's just a shame more weren't in attendance.

Friday marks the 30th anniversary of a special milestone for the Red Sox and Roger Clemens, as he struck out 20 Seattle Mariners back on April 29, 1986.

The 23-year-old Clemens was the first pitcher to ever strike out 20 batters in a game, in just his fourth start after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He struck out the first three batters of the game and five of the first six, and struck out eight in a row from the fourth to sixth inning.

Clemens allowed just three hits that evening and did not issue a walk, as Boston beat Seattle 3-1 on a three-run homer by Dwight Evans in the seventh inning. Of the 138 pitches Clemens fired to the plate that evening, an astonishing 97 of them went for strikes.

There weren't many fans in the stands to witness Clemens' dominance that cold Tuesday evening, with just 13,414 fans at Fenway Park. Much of the focus in Boston was on the Celtics, who were hosting the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series. The C's beat the Hawks in five games, and would go on to beat the Houston Rockets for their second NBA title in three years.

The 20 strikeout game was the springboard to a great season for "The Rocket" and the Red Sox. He finished fourth in the American League with 238 strikeouts that season, but led the AL with 24 wins and went on to win his first of seven Cy Young awards and his first (and only) MVP award. Boston would go on to win 96 games and the American League pennant, but lost to the New York Mets in the World Series.

That night wasn't the only time Clemens sat down 20 batters by way of the K in his career. He also struck out 20 for the Red Sox on September 18, 1996 against the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium.

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