Clemens still going strong

SEATTLE – Roger Clemens had already accomplished more than enough during a career that should put him in the Hall of Fame.

Look at him now, just the same.

The Rocket is 9-0 and ranked 14th with 319 victories after beating Seattle 1-0 Tuesday night. Yet he insisted the best thing about this season is that he’s helping his hometown Houston Astros win.

“We’re not playing well right now, but we’re finding our way through certain situations,” Clemens said. “That’s what we’re going to have to do if we’re going to take that next step, go to that next level.”

The 41-year-old Clemens became the oldest pitcher to win his first nine decisions, allowing three hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings. Dennis Martinez was 40 when he started 9-0 for Cleveland in 1995. He finished 12-5.

Clemens didn’t have his 97 mph fastball but kept the Mariners off balance by mixing in sliders as he outdueled Joel Pineiro (1-8) in a game that was scoreless for six innings.

“Joel pitched great,” Clemens said. “His record doesn’t indicate that he’s had a lot of success, but he threw the ball great. He was real stingy.”

Clemens wasn’t flawless, allowing runners leading off three innings.

Clemens, a six-time Cy Young Award winner, struck out seven to boost his career total to 4,187. He walked a season-high five but improved to 23-14 against Seattle, the most wins by a pitcher against the Mariners.

“When I was little, I had a poster of him in my room. Not a bad guy to look up to,” Pineiro said.

Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton are tied for 12th with 324 victories, and it won’t be long at this rate before Clemens passes them, too.

“The guys I’ve tied or passed, it’s just icing on the cake for me,” said Clemens, who ended a brief retirement over the winter to join the Astros. “I felt anything that happened this year was just a great deal of fun. I never expected to be here.”

Clemens has won two straight starts after a skid – by his standards – of three straight games without a decision from May 16-28. He won seven straight starts to open the season.

“He’s been phenomenal this year,” teammate Craig Biggio said. “That’s 12 solid starts. He tries to stay in there as long as he can, and 12 quality starts is pretty impressive.”

The crowd of 34,238 gave Clemens a standing ovation when he left in the seventh, despite the Mariners trailing 1-0.

“It’s really nice. I’ve enjoyed coming to Seattle,” Clemens said.