Houston manager Phil Garner asked Clemens if he could start Sunday, and the Rocket eagerly accepted the challenge.

"Roger feels he can come back," Garner said. "He's preparing to come back on Sunday and I will plan to use him."

In Houston's 9-3 victory over Atlanta in Game 1 Wednesday, Clemens showed the effects of a stomach virus that kept him from making his last start of the regular season.

He walked six - all in the first four innings and his most since 1998. But the Rocket went seven innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out six. Clemens won a Game 1 start for the first time in his storied career.

At 42, Clemens has looked nothing like a guy who retired for 78 days last winter:

His winning percentage of .818 led the majors, he tied for second in the NL with 18 wins and was fifth with a 2.98 ERA.

Atlanta manager Bobby Cox wasn't surprised when told Clemens would start Sunday.

"He's done that numerous times in his career," Cox said. "He's a horse and he's accustomed to it. No reason not to."

Cox apparently doesn't feel the same way about his Game 1 starter, Jaret Wright. The Braves will go with right-hander Russ Ortiz Sunday.

Wright struggled in his first postseason start since 1998, giving up a career-high three homers Wednesday.

He also was dealing with pain in his left shin after being hit by a groundball in the fourth inning.

In today's Game 3, John Thomson is scheduled to start for Atlanta, and Brandon Bracke will take the mound for Houston.

Return to Reds front page...