Once again, Odalis Perez had trouble early on, giving up a pair of runs in the first and second innings and that was more than enough for Roger Clemens who went seven strong innings allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out four in the Yankees 9-2 win over the Royals.
The Yankees scored two on a RBI single by Hideki Matsui in the first, and former Royal Johnny Damon doubled home two in the second. Mark Grudzielanek scored on a wild pitch in the fourth and first basemen Ross Gload hit a solo shot in the seventh.The Yankees padded their lead in the 9th with five more runs.
Scott Elarton makes his first start in coming off the DL on Tuesday night.