Published: 9/6/2012

Clemens, son to team up for game

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SUGAR LAND, Texas -- Roger Clemens will team up and pitch to his oldest son Friday when he makes his second start for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters.

In a statement issued by the team on Wednesday, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said having Koby Clemens as his catcher in an Atlantic League game against Long Island is "cool stuff."

"Having Koby, my oldest son, back there to catch a game will be great," he said in the team statement.

The 50-year-old Clemens threw 3⅓ scoreless innings for Sugar Land on Aug. 25 in his first professional outing since 2007.

Koby Clemens has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues since he was drafted by Houston in 2005. He played alongside his father as a third baseman at Single-A Lexington in 2006 when Roger Clemens was preparing to join the Astros.

The 25-year-old catcher spent the 2012 season with Single-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization.

In the Skeeters' statement, the younger Clemens thanked the Toronto organization "for allowing me this opportunity to catch my pops in what should be a fun-filled event in Sugar Land."

Rangers/Announcer: A Texas Rangers TV announcer off the air since his rambling comments during a June game will broadcast two college football matchups.

The University of North Texas said that Dave Barnett will do play-by-play television coverage Saturday against Texas Southern and Nov. 10 vs. South Alabama.

Barnett is a 1979 graduate of North Texas. Rangers spokesman John Blake says Barnett informed the club about the UNT commitment and the baseball team has no issues with it.

Barnett, during a June 18 game in San Diego, said a runner was on "fifth" base after a "botched robbery." Barnett on July 2 announced his indefinite leave of absence.

Blue Jays/Romero: Mired in a 12-game losing streak, Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero is getting a little extra rest before his next start. Manager John Farrell said Romero will skip his scheduled start Saturday at Boston and will work on nine days rest Wednesday against Seattle. Toronto will use a six-man rotation for the remainder of the season after that.

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