It's Roger and rout for US

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Roger Clemens led a tour de force of American might as the United States overpowered South Africa, 17-0, before 11,975 yesterday at Scottsdale Stadium and advanced to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Clemens threw 58 pitches (predominantly fastballs) against a young South Africa lineup that had little chance against the seven-time Cy Young winner. South Africa managed two hits, and just one off Clemens, a leadoff single up the middle in the second inning. The 43-year-old Clemens struck out six and did not walk a batter, exiting to a standing ovation after 4 1/3 innings of work.

The game was stopped after five innings as the US's dominant offense, led by Ken Griffey's two homers and seven RBIs, forced a termination rule (read: slaughter).

The United States had 18 hits and scored four times in the first inning and six times in the second.

''I was down in the zone and up when I wanted to be," Clemens said. ''So I had all the infielders, you know, on me the whole game to get them out of the innings, get back in the dugout. That was the game plan."

The plan for Clemens was to pitch three innings because the pitch limit in the first round is 65.

''I knew I had three innings and then [pitching coach Marcel Lachemann] kept me informed of my pitch count and wanted me to go into the fourth," Clemens said. ''And then after that ended, he asked me to get one more out for him and take my -- I guess my pitch count close to what it's supposed to be."

Clemens said he pitched ''on edge" after the United States was embarrassed in an 8-6 loss to Canada Wednesday.

''I was pitching 100 percent at this time of year regardless," Clemens said. ''You know, it was my job after guys came out and put the numbers on the board. Throw strikes, not walk anybody. Get them back in and swing the bat a little bit. So, you know, I was as on edge as anyone because we're backed in the corner a little bit now. So I don't care who it is you're facing in this tournament. As you've seen already, anything can happen in this tournament. And we've known that South Africa put some runs on the board in the other games."

Clemens is slated to pitch Game 3 of the second round Thursday in Anaheim, Calif. Manager Buck Martínez named Jake Peavy his starter tomorrow against Japan.

South Africa used five pitchers, including 17-year-old Jared Elario, who idolizes Clemens.

''I was kind of nervous when I woke up this morning, but I knew we were going to play the world's best," said Elario, who hurled one scoreless inning. ''This is like a dream come true to me, but I had no choice but to play well."

Besides Griffey's 4-for-4 day, Derrek Lee stroked his second homer of the tournament (he also doubled) and knocked in four runs. Mike Timlin pitched to two batters in the fifth, and allowed one hit.

A lighter moment came when Johnny Damon broke his bat as he lined out to shortstop. As he made his way to the dugout, he spotted a youngster with a Red Sox cap and slipped him the broken bat as a souvenir.

Damon is batting .167 after going 0 for 3 yesterday, but his teammate Alex Rodriguez said, ''The no hits are fine, he's broken like seven bats so far."

Commissioner Bud Selig attended the game, as did Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks, who made the trip specifically to see Clemens.

On Thursday, the Rangers invited Clemens, a free agent, to their training facility in Surprise, Ariz., although Clemens maintains he will no longer entertain offers for his services.

''The reason I ended up stopping over [in Surprise] was my showing him respect back," Clemens said. ''They took the time out to come to Houston and speak to me about the future. So, you know, when you have an opportunity like that, I'm not going to tell anybody no. And I don't know that team and this is the first time for me in Arizona as far as spring training. I got the opportunity to go out and look at their complex, but I've had many meetings with Mr. Hicks and obviously through the University of Texas. So it was great to see him today."