CHICAGO (AP) - Roger Clemens left Game 1 of the World Series after two innings Saturday night because of a strained left hamstring, an injury that has bothered the Houston Astros' ace since early September.
Clemens allowed three runs and four hits over two innings against the Chicago White Sox, and left with the game tied at 3. This was the first time he had started a Series opener.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner threw 54 pitches - 25 in the first inning and 29 in the second. He struck out one with no walks.
Wandy Rodriguez, a rookie left-hander who started during the regular season, replaced the 43-year-old Clemens at the start of the third inning. If Clemens is unable to pitch any more, the Astros would not be able to replace him on its Series roster.
Clemens left a Sept. 3 game against the St. Louis Cardinals after five innings because of the hamstring. Six days later, he gave up five runs over three innings at Milwaukee in what had been his shortest start this year until Saturday night.
The Rocket made his next start, a 7-0 loss to Pittsburgh, which was the ninth time this season the Astros were scoreless when he pitched. He then skipped a start before beating the Chicago Cubs on the final weekend of the regular season.
Clemens led the majors with a 1.87 ERA during the regular season, when he was 13-8.
Game 1 of the World Series was his 33rd career postseason start, matching teammate Andy Pettitte, the scheduled Game 2 starter, for the most ever.
Clemens was 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA in his seven previous World Series starts.
In his NL championship series start, Clemens allowed two runs over six innings in a Game 3 victory over the Cardinals. Clemens was the loser in Game 2 of the NL division series against Atlanta, but three days late pitched in relief for the first time since he was a rookie in 1984, going the final three innings in an 18-inning victory that clinched that series.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
