Clemens K's Seven in Six Innings

Jun 09, 06:15 PM

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens made his 2007 debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday and lasted six full innings in a 9-3 victory.

Clemens (1-0) got the win as he struck out seven and walked two while giving up three runs on five hits. He threw a total of 108 pitches, 69 for strikes.

Clemens was initially slated to start this past Monday against the White Sox, but he developed a fatigued groin during his final minor league outing on Memorial Day and an MRI exam revealed disrupted scar tissue.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner made three minor league starts to ready himself for a return to the majors. He signed a prorated $28 million contract on May 6 to begin a second tenure with the Yankees.

Clemens spent the past three seasons with the Houston Astros after his first retirement following the 2003 campaign with New York. He pitched with the Yankees from 1999 through 2003, winning a pair of World Series titles during his five years with the club.

An 11-time All-Star, Clemens' 348 victories rank eighth in big league history. He is also one of just four pitchers with more than 4,000 strikeouts, as his 4,604 trail only Nolan Ryan on the all-time list.

To make room on the roster for Clemens, New York optioned reliever Chris Britton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Britton was recalled June 1 and was 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three appearances covering five innings for the Yankees this year.

In another roster move on Saturday, the Yankees transferred rookie pitcher Phil Hughes from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The highly touted pitcher has been on the DL since May 4 with a strained left hamstring.

06/09 16:39:36 ET