CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Roger Clemens returned to the New York Yankees' rotation this afternoon and established an American League record with his 18th straight win in a 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a doubleheader. Pitching for the first time since April 27, Clemens allowed just two runs -- one earned -- and six hits over six innings, striking out four and walking one. The two-time defending Cy Young Award winner allowed 14 runs over 12 1/3 innings in his last three starts before being placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. "For the most part, my legs felt good," Clemens said. "But it was in the back of my mind when I was warming up. I think I was able to locate the ball pretty decent today. It was just nice to get the congratulations from your teammates again after I came out." Clemens has not lost since May 29, 1998 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He broke the previous AL record of 17 straight wins set by Cleveland's Johnny Allen from 1936-37 and tied by Baltimore's Dave McNally from 1968-69. Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants holds the major league mark with 24 straight victories from 1936-37. Clemens also earned his 236th career victory, tying him with Yankees Hall of Famer Whitey Ford for 49th all-time. After spending more than three weeks on the 15-day disabled list, Clemens was activated for Friday night's game, but the contest was rained out, pushing back his start today. Chicago salvaged a split of the doubleheaer with a 2-1 victory in the nightcap. Clemens had hoped to start in a recently completed three-game series at Boston, where he spent the majority of his career. But Yankees manager Joe Torre elected to have Clemens rest a few more days. The 36-year-old righthander had not pitched since April 27 when he left after just two innings due to tightness in his hamstring. Two days later, he was placed on the DL. Clemens yielded five runs in that outing and was in danger of having his record-tying streak snapped at 17 wins, but New York took him off the hook by rallying for a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers. Clemens is approaching the one-year anniversary of his last loss, going 27 starts since a 7-3 defeat to Cleveland on May 29 while with Toronto. After being acquired from the Blue Jays in February for lefthanders David Wells and Graeme Lloyd and infielder Homer Bush, Clemens is 3-0 with an uncharacteristically high 4.73 ERA. Last season, en route to a unanimous selection for a second straight Cy Young Award, he went 20-6 with a 2.65 ERA and 271 strikeouts. Clemens owns six ERA titles, seven All-Star selections and five 20-win seasons. He is 236-124 with 3,180 strikeouts in 456 career games.  