Clemens Can’t Beat the Expos

Many of the Montreal Expos were excited to face Roger Clemens. It was an even bigger thrill to beat him.

Alex Gonzalez and Brian Schneider hit back-to-back home runs, and the Expos beat Clemens and the Astros, 5-2, on Sunday at Houston.

“Any time you get two doubles off a future Hall of Famer, it’s big,” said Jamey Carroll, who had three hits against Clemens. “He’s one of the best pitchers of all time. The guy comes right after you. He throws hard.”

T.J. Tucker (2-1) gave up two hits and struck out three, pitching two innings in relief for the win.

“It was unbelievable to pitch against him,” Tucker said of Clemens. “He was a boyhood idol. I used to watch him pitch when he was in Toronto. I saw him once when he had his two young sons with him when I was 12 years old, and I wanted to say something to them then, but I didn’t.”

Clemens (12-4) pitched seven innings and gave up three runs -- one earned -- and eight hits.

San Francisco 6, Chicago 3 -- Rookie Noah Lowry had another impressive start, and Dustan Mohr made a run-saving, diving catch on the warning track dirt in the eighth inning at San Francisco.

Lowry received a loud ovation when he gave way to new closer Dustin Hermanson with one out in the eighth, but the cheers for Mohr were even greater after he robbed Moises Alou of an extra-base hit with his big catch in left-center for the final out to keep Nomar Garciaparra from scoring the tying run.

Pittsburgh 4, San Diego 2 -- Randall Simon hit a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth, and Oliver Perez pitched into the seventh inning at San Diego. Perez (7-6) gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander, traded from San Diego to Pittsburgh last season, struck out four.

Cincinnati 14, Colorado 7 -- Wily Mo Pena homered and had a career-high five runs batted in at Denver before leaving in the sixth inning because of cramps. Pena was three for four to help the Reds salvage the finale of the three-game series.

Milwaukee 2, Florida 0 -- Chris Capuano pitched six shutout innings at Miami, and the Brewers ended a five-game losing streak.

Atlanta 11, Arizona 4 -- Chipper Jones homered and drove in four runs at Phoenix to lead the Braves to their fifth victory in a row. The Diamondbacks have lost four straight and 41 of 50.

St. Louis 6, New York 2 -- Edgar Renteria tied his career high with five hits, and the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep at St. Louis.