Roger Clemens lost in what might have been the final start of his career, and the Atlanta Braves ended Houston's nine-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Friday night that hurt the Astros' post-season hopes.
Houston, which trailed in the division by 8{ games on Sept. 20, had pulled within a half-game of NL Central-leading St. Louis with the winning streak. The Cardinals played Milwaukee later Friday night.
With the score 1-1 in the sixth, first baseman Lance Berkman misplayed Chipper Jones grounder as Atlanta's first run scored in a two-run inning. Edgar Renteria and Jones added consecutive homers off Fernando Nieve in the eighth.
Clemens (7-6), a 44-year-old right-hander who has won seven Cy Young Awards in a big league career that began in 1984, allowed two runs _ one earned _ and six hits in six innings. The Rocket dropped to 348-178 in his career, and with seven strikeouts he raised his total to 4,604, second only to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.
Chuck James (11-4), a 24-year-old rookie left-hander, gave up one run and four hits in seven innings.
An emotional Clemens pounded his leg and his glove as he walked off the field following the sixth inning. The crowd of 31,034 rose in a standing ovation when Chris Burke was introduced as a pinch-hitter for Clemens in the seventh.
Jones, standing closest to the Astros' dugout, joined in the ovation before Clemens emerged, tipping his cap to the fans and pointing his glove toward Jones.
Clemens was making his first appearance against Atlanta since earning the win in relief as the Astros won the decisive Game 4 of their 2005 first-round playoff series in 18 innings. He retired after the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons only to come back.
This year he pitched for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, then returned to the Astros on June 22. Once again, he hasn't said whether he'll pitch next season.
Bob Wickman pitched the ninth for his 17th save since joining the Braves and 32nd overall, completing a six-hitter. With runners at the corners and two outs, Wickman struck out pinch-hitter Aubrey Huff.
With runners on first and third in the sixth inning, Jones' grounder skipped under the glove of the charging Berkman, allowing Pete Orr to score for a 1-0 lead. Jones was credited with an RBI, and Andruw Jones followed with an RBI single.
Craig Biggio cut the lead in half with a seventh-inning homer.
Notes: Andruw Jones has 129 RBIs, a career high. ... Chipper Jones' fourth-inning strikeout was the 4,600th for Clemens. ... Craig Biggio was hit by a pitch in the second inning, giving him nine this year and raising his major league record to 282.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
