The Boston Splinters had a chance to pull within 1/2 game of the Detroit Rockets in the American League, and starter Jim Palmer gave them that shot, taking a 5-hit shutout through 9 innings. But Detroit’s Roger Clemens was even better. Clemens allowed just 3 hits in 9 innings of work himself, taking a 0-0 tie into extra innings. Ichiro Suzuki finally broke the tie with a 2-out solo homerun against Palmer in the 10th. It was only Suzuki’s 2nd homer of the season. Tom Henke pitched a scoreless 10th for his 12th save of the season. Henke got two quick outs before Biz Mackey singled and Rickey Henderson walked, but Tony Oliva flew out to end the game. Detroit improved to 27-19 and has a 2 1/2 game lead over Boston after taking 3 of 4 in the series at Fenway.