Clemens plays to honor mother

NOTES

Roger Clemens dug his spikes into the dirt and stared momentarily at the ground before throwing his first pitch. He knew his mother would have wanted him on the mound.

The Houston Astros ace made his scheduled start Wednesday night and allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings against the visiting Florida Marlins, pitching in honor of his mother after she died early that morning.

Bess Clemens died in Georgetown, Texas, because of complications from emphysema, the Astros said. She was 75.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner often shared his affection for his mother, saying her health was an important factor as he weighed retirement the past two off-seasons.

Perez earns early ouster

Pittsburgh pitcher Oliver Perez was ejected in the second inning at St. Louis after hitting Hector Luna of the Cardinals in the left leg.

Perez was not involved in a pre-game confrontation between the teams Aug. 24 that led to suspensions of Pirates batting coach Gerald Perry and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan along with then-Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon.

After being hit, Luna took a few steps into fair territory before home plate umpire Eric Cooper tossed Perez. Cooper then appeared to warn Cardinals starter Jason Marquis before the top of the third.

Clearing the bases

Gabe Kapler ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon while rounding second base on Tony Graffanino‘s fifth-inning homer during Boston’s game at Toronto. … Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen questioned whether Damaso Marte is really hurt and criticized the reliever for showing up late for a game last weekend. “If Marte’s not ready to help this team, he can have a nice trip to the Dominican Republic by himself,” Guillen said before the White Sox played at Kansas City.