Braves Pitcher Fine After Being Hit on Head

Braves LHP Horacio Ramirez left yesterday's game against the Astros after being hit on the forehead with a ball hit by Lance Berkman in the second inning.

Berkman's hit crashed off of the left side of Ramirez's forehead and then flew to shallow right field. Ramirez fell flat on his back and then rolled over to his stomach where he remained motionless for a few seconds before moving.

He got up on his own power and was escorted to the bullpen as a trainer pressed a towel to his forehead.

"The only thing I remember was releasing the pitch," said Ramirez, who had a swollen forehead. "I don't recall the pitch or the ball hitting me."

· CLEMENS ROLLS: Roger Clemens struck out 11 and allowed two hits in six innings for Class AA Corpus Christi in his second minor league start.

Mixing breaking balls with fastballs that often topped 90 mph, Clemens fanned nine of the first 12 San Antonio batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until Erick Monzon 's line drive to right with one out in the fifth.

Clemens threw 73 pitches -- 52 for strikes -- in his second tuneup for his scheduled June 22 return to the majors for the Houston Astros. Clemens tied the Hooks' single-game record for strikeouts, set last year by Jason Hirsh .

He'll pitch again Friday in Round Rock, the Astros' Class AAA affiliate, before making his first major league start of the season on June 22 at Minute Maid Park.

· OUT FOR SEASON: Rockies reliever Mike DeJean will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined six to eight months.

· HEAVE-HO: Brewers Manager Ned Yost was ejected at the end of the fourth inning of his team's game against the Cardinals after arguing balls and strikes.

-- From News Services