Rocket makes solid return

Clemens won his seventh Cy Young award last season

Roger Clemens refused to come down from the mound as he made his return for Houston following a spring training hamstring injury.

'The Rocket', making his first start for 10 days, was set to throw no more than 90 pitches but ended up with a count of 109 - 70 for strikes.

"I went out to the mound at 94 and he said he wanted to keep going," said Astos manager Phil Garner said. "I thought his 99th pitch was his best."

Clemens, 42, looked as dominant as ever through the first four innings as Houston beat Detroit 14-11 in their latest pre-season game in Florida.

"The hamstring was free and loose," Clemens said. "I was able to jog to the mound, which I couldn't do the other day."

Clemens got a standing ovation from the fans at Joker Marchant Stadium as he left after completing six innings, trailing 7-6.

He allowed 12 hits, two of them homers, while walking one and striking out seven.

St Louis star Reggie Sanders, returning after an appendectomy, homered in the third inning as the Cardinals lost 13-10 to the New York Mets.

He had surgery on 18 March and and spent two days in the hospital before being released.

"I still feel a little weak but I expect to be at full strength opening day," Sanders said.