Clemens Does His Part, Astros Don’t

Roger Clemens was foiled again by a lack of run support, and Jack Wilson led off the ninth inning with a home run against Brad Lidge to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros Saturday night at Houston.

Clemens yielded only two hits in eight innings, lowering his major league-leading earned-run average to 1.32. He struck out nine and walked none, but the Astros couldn’t muster any offense against Kip Wells and two relievers.

It was the ninth no-decision for the 43-year-old Clemens, and the sixth time the Astros have failed to score for him.

Philadelphia 5, San Diego 2 -- Ryan Howard’s go-ahead run-scoring single was the third hit in a row against closer Trevor Hoffman (1-5) starting the ninth inning at San Diego, and the Phillies dropped the Padres to .500 (58-58). Hoffman yielded four runs and four hits and got only two outs.

Atlanta 9, Arizona 5 -- Chipper Jones doubled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, helping the Braves avoid their first three-game home losing streak of the season. Ryan Langerhans led off the inning with a double against reliever Lance Cormier (7-3). Rafael Furcal walked, and both scored on Jones’ double to center, breaking a 5-5 tie.

St. Louis 5, Chicago 2 -- Chris Carpenter pitched a complete game at Wrigley Field to become the first 17-game winner in the majors. Carpenter (17-4) yielded eight hits and walked none for his major league-leading sixth complete game.

Florida 2, San Francisco 1 -- Josh Beckett (11-6) pitched a four-hitter, and Carlos Delgado, who came off the disabled list earlier in the day, hit a go-ahead homer for the Marlins at Miami.

Cincinnati 4, Milwaukee 1 -- The Reds won their 10th consecutive road game, thanks to Ryan Freel’s two-run triple with two out in the seventh inning.

Washington 8, Colorado 0 -- Tony Armas Jr. (7-5) yielded nine hits in six innings, and Mike Stanton, Hector Carrasco and Joey Eischen completed the 17th combined shutout, and 30th overall, in 11 seasons at Coors Field.