Clemens shuts down Royals

NEW YORK, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Veteran righthander Roger Clemens, activated from the disabled list before the game, struck out eight batters over seven strong innings Wednesday night as the New York Yankees coasted to a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Clemens, sidelined since July 13 with tightness in his right groin, made his first start following his 40th birthday and showed no signs of rust. The big hard-throwing righthander allowed two runs, six hits and a walk, improving to 7-0 in 10 home starts this season.

It was his first victory since June 9.

"I don't feel 40 tonight," Clemens said. "I've taken pretty good care of myself."

In the process, Clemens moved past former Yankee Tommy John into 21st place on the all-time list with 289 wins.

"He's not 40," said catcher Jorge Posada. "He's fooling everybody. He's about 22. Looked like he never left. He's our ace. He makes us a better team and makes everybody feel better."

Clemens aggravated the groin injury after pitching five scoreless innings in a loss to Cleveland on July 12. He took the mound to start the sixth inning, but left after throwing a few warmup pitches.

He is 9-3 with an ERA of 3.94 in 19 starts this season. Clemens was second in the American League with 126 strikeouts at the time of his latest injury.

Clemens is the active career leader in wins (289), starts (557), innings (4,003 2/3) and complete games (116).

To make room on the roster, the Yankees optioned righthander Brandon Knight to Triple-A Columbus of the International League.