U.S. shows no mercy

A pair of the Team USA squad’s senior citizens – Ken Griffey Jr. and Roger Clemens – led the way in a 17-0 rout of South Africa in Scottsdale, Ariz., Friday that advanced the Americans to the second round of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Griffey went 4 for 4 with two home runs and seven RBIs in a game shortened to five innings because of the tourney’s mercy rule.

Clemens allowed one hit in 4 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking none before leaving to a standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 11,975 at Scottsdale Stadium, spring training home to the San Francisco Giants.

The United States opens the second round against Japan on Sunday in Anaheim, Calif., and Mexico plays South Korea in the second game there.

Coming off an 8-6 loss to Canada on Wednesday night, the United States had to win to make it to the second round. South Africa finished 0-3.

M’s edge Rockies

Seattle broke a 7-all tie in the ninth inning on T.J. Bohn’s sacrifice fly off loser Steve Colyer as the Mariners defeated Colorado 8-7 in Tucson, Ariz.

Around the majors

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta and the Cleveland Indians agreed to a $13 million, five-year contract with a club option for 2011. … St. Louis Cardinals outfielder So Taguchi agreed to a one-year contract. Terms were not released.