Clemens Zeroes In on His Strike Zone

Roger Clemens struck out 11 and gave up two hits in six innings for double-A Corpus Christi in Texas on Sunday night in his second minor league start.

Mixing breaking balls with fastballs that often topped 90 mph, Clemens fanned nine of the first 12 San Antonio batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until Erick Monzon’s line drive to right with one out in the fifth.

Clemens threw 73 pitches -- 52 for strikes -- in his second tuneup for his scheduled June 22 return to the majors for the Houston Astros. Clemens tied the Hooks’ single-game record for strikeouts, set last year by Jason Hirsh.

After the sixth, he waved his gloved hand to the fans and tipped his cap before stepping down into the Hooks’ dugout to chat with Astros minor league pitching coordinator Dewey Robinson.

Clemens will pitch again Friday in Round Rock, Texas, the Astros’ triple-A affiliate, before making his first major league start June 22 at Minute Maid Park.

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Colorado Rockies reliever Mike DeJean will have season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be out at least six months. DeJean was put on the 15-day disabled list April 12.... Toronto Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett will make a rehabilitation start for triple-A Syracuse today.