Game Hero, 46 - 49

Roger Clemens

W, 2 - 3, Victory # 343 of his career 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 3 H, 1 BB 85 pitches, 60 strikes 70 Game Score is his highest on the year 27 of his 33 completed innings thus far on the year have been scoreless

I thought it might have been an inning early to pinch hit for Clemens, especially considering it was OPP who was doing the pinch-hitting, and I guess Trever Miller proved me right, but no matter: Preston drove in the crucial runs, and Roger had a lead that the bullpen couldn't blow.

You can't call all of them "Quality Starts" because Taylor on Sunday and Roger last Friday each missed going the six innings required, but put most simply, no starting pitcher has cost us a game this month. Starting pitching is the least of this team's worries right now, and you wonder if Backe might not just fall right into step without missing a beat.

And of course I'd like to see Taylor get a start in the air conditioning. . . .