Sports

NL: Clemens perseveres to keep Astros streaking

Associated Press
Published July 28, 2005

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HOUSTON - Roger Clemens' back was bothering him so much Wednesday that an emergency starter went to the bullpen to loosen up with him before the game, just in case.

Then, about 11/2 hours before he was due on the mound, Clemens talked over his status with doctors and decided to try pitching through the pain. The Phillies wish he had been more cautious.

Clemens was far from dominant yet pitched seven innings to help the Astros beat the Phillies 3-2 for their 10th win in 11 games.

"I was fortunate," said Clemens, who allowed runners in five innings but just two runs. "Every time I went out for the warmups, it was stiff. But it came around, and I got better."

Clemens gave up six hits, walked two and struck out four. He allowed a two-out run in the first and another in the fourth, taking his major league-best ERA up from 1.40 to 1.46 while earning his sixth win in seven decisions.

"It took him about three or four innings to get loose, but after that, he was vintage Rocket," catcher Brad Ausmus said. "In the first inning, I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to make it. But after the first couple, he told me he was getting better and better, so I knew we were going to be all right."

Clemens said he had sharp pains after straining his back at about 2 p.m. Tuesday. By game time Wednesday, he felt "more of a dull pain." Although doctors were concerned pitching might make it worse, they figured he wasn't likely to hurt it any worse. He also has an extra day off before his next start.

BRAVES 4, NATIONALS 3: Jeff Francoeur made the most of his first start against a right-hander, getting three hits, including a go-ahead, eighth-inning double for host Atlanta.

Atlanta wasted a 3-1 lead in the eighth then went ahead in the bottom half.

Chipper Jones singled with two outs and stole second, and Adam LaRoche was intentionally walked to bring up Francoeur, who was called up from Double-A Mississippi on July7 and has been sharing playing time in rightfield with Ryan Langerhans.

Francoeur blooped a double into shallow center, allowing Jones to score.

PADRES 2, CARDINALS 1: Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman combined on a three-hitter and Robert Fick singled in the winning run with one out in the ninth as host San Diego snapped a season-high eight-game losing streak.

Ryan Klesko started the winning rally with a one-out double to left-center off Jason Marquis and was replaced by pinch-runner Damian Jackson. Joe Randa was intentionally walked to bring up Fick, who drove a 2-and-1 pitch to right-center to score Jackson.

CUBS 4, GIANTS 3: Jeromy Burnitz hit a winning single in the ninth as host Chicago rallied for its fourth win in five games.

Jody Gerut pinch-hit for pitcher Ryan Dempster and drew a walk from Kevin Correia leading off the ninth. Jeff Fassero relieved, Jose Macias sacrificed and Todd Walker flied out.

Derrek Lee was intentionally walked, and Burnitz drove in the winner with a sharp single to right.

REDS 7, DODGERS 6: Ryan Freel went 3-for-4 and set a record for visiting Cincinnati with five stolen bases, and Felipe Lopez drove in the winner with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Freel broke the record set seven times, most recently by Deion Sanders in 1997. His last two set up the winning run after he walked with one out in the ninth.

D'BACKS 3, BREWERS 0: Claudio Vargas won for the fourth time in five decisions, and visiting Arizona scored on a wild pitch and two errors. Vargas allowed six hits in six innings, struck out six and walked one.

METS 9, ROCKIES 3: Marlon Anderson hit two homers, Ramon Castro homered and had three RBIs and Victor Zambrano pitched seven strong innings as visiting New York avoided a three-game sweep.

MARLINS 3, PIRATES 1: Juan Encarnacion and Damion Easley homered and rookie Jason Vargas pitched three scoreless innings after a second rain delay for his first major-league victory, leading host Florida.

[Last modified July 28, 2005, 01:43:02]

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