A.L. takes Rocket for a ride

HOUSTON — Roger Clemens hardly had time to worry about Mike Piazza. He was too busy getting banged up by American League hitters.

Clemens’ big All-Star homecoming was a bust from the very start, with MVP Alfonso Soriano and Manny Ramirez homering during a record six-run burst in the first inning that sent the A.L. cruising past the Nationals 9-4 Tuesday night.

“I put our guys in a hole,” Clemens said.

Ichiro Suzuki led off the game with a double, Ivan Rodriguez followed with a triple and the rout was on. The Americans reduced the 41-year-old Rocket to a batting practice pitcher and a pained look, becoming the first team in All-Star history to hit for the cycle in an inning.

After Muhammad Ali playfully jabbed at Derek Jeter during first-ball festivities, the slugging really started at the 75th All-Star game.

David Ortiz homered and Jeter got three more hits as the Americans romped to their seventh straight win, not including the infamous tie in 2002. They closed their overall deficit to 40-33-2 — most importantly, it gave the A.L. home-field advantage in the World Series for the third year in a row.

Soriano’s second All-Star homer was a three-run shot off Clemens, his former teammate.

“I feel a little sorry because he’s been nice to me all the time,” the Texas second baseman said.

Clemens was gone by the time the game ended. A.L. manager Joe Torre of the New York Yankees said it was a little tough watching his former ace get tagged.

“He certainly wanted to shine for everybody,” Torre said. “I don’t think the fact that he gave up six runs diminishes anything.”

A lot of the pregame buildup centered on the checkered past between Piazza and the Houston ace. Clemens beaned the New York Mets catcher in the 2000 regular season at Yankee Stadium, then threw the jagged barrel of a broken bat toward him in the World Series.

Even prior to the first pitch, it was clear their feud was still simmering.

Clemens and Piazza stood about five feet apart before the team picture was taken near the hill in center field at Minute Maid Park, but did not speak to each other.

And while eventual winning pitcher Mark Mulder warmed up with Rodriguez, Clemens started getting ready with a bullpen catcher. Piazza came over and caught just a couple of pitches before leaving the bullpen for pregame introductions.

Before Ramirez hit a two-run homer on an 0-2 delivery, Clemens and Piazza took several seconds to agree on what to throw.

“We were a little indecisive there,” Piazza said. “I went through every pitch.”

Piazza applauded, however, when Clemens was honored by commissioner Bud Selig in an on-field tribute after the fourth inning. Piazza said he spoke with Clemens in the trainer’s room before the game, going over hitters and discussing some things the catcher described as “personal.”

“It was very amicable,” Piazza said. “It wasn’t awkward.”

That said, Piazza never went to the mound while Clemens struggled and sweated. But when Randy Johnson gave up singles to Jason Giambi and Jeter in the third, Piazza walked out to talk with the Big Unit.

Second baseman Jeff Kent didn’t help Clemens, his Houston teammate, by making a two-out error on Giambi’s grounder in the first. Jeter followed with a single and Soriano then homered for a 6-0 lead.

It was the biggest outburst in an All-Star game since Fred Lynn’s grand slam highlighted a seven-run inning for the A.L. in 1983.

Clemens could only stand there and signal for a new ball, an embarrassed expression on his face. He still got a nice ovation from Astros fans when he struck out Mulder with his final pitch of the evening.

Jeter finished 3 for 3 after being elected to his first All-Star start. At 7 for 10, the Yankees shortstop has the highest average of anyone with at least 10 All-Star at-bats.

This was Clemens’ ninth appearance in the All-Star game, a record for pitchers.

A.L. 9, N.L. 4

E—JKent (1). DP—National 1. LOB—American 7, National 7. 2B—ISuzuki (1), Renteria (1), Pujols 2 (2). 3B—IRodriguez (1), ARodriguez (1). HR—MRamirez (1), DOrtiz (1), ASoriano (1).

HBP—by Mulder (Rolen).

Umpires—Home, Ed Montague; First, John Hirschbeck; Second, Doug Eddings; Third, Jim Reynolds; Left, Marvin Hudson; Right, Sam Holbrook.

T—2:59. A—41,886 (40,950).