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Rocket fuel Clemens to face Piazza, Mets in Game 2
Updated: Sunday October 22, 2000 6:51 PM
BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Mike Piazza and the New York Mets have been waiting since July for another shot at Roger Clemens. They get their opportunity tonight as the Mets look to even things up against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the World Series. As if the first Subway Series in 44 years were not enough to stir emotions, Clemens' beaning of Piazza during the second game of the teams' July 8th day-night doubleheader adds fuel to the fire. Piazza, who is batting .583 (7-for-12) with three homers and nine RBI against Clemens, was upset after the beaning, stating he had lost respect for the hard-throwing righthander. Despite all the hype surrounding this series, Game One lived up to it. Jose Vizcaino, inserted in the starting lineup on a hunch by manager Joe Torre, singled with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Yankees won their record 13th straight World Series game and took the opener of the from the Mets 4-3 Saturday night. In a classic game that featured numerous ebbs and flows, Vizcaino capped a seesaw affair by slicing a single into left field to score Tino Martinez and end a 4 hour, 51-minute marathon, the longest World Series game of all-time. Clemens last pitched in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series and turned in a dominant performance. The Rocket tossed a one-hitter and struck out 15 in a 5-0 shutout of Seattle. Clemens claimed repeatedly that he did not intend to hit Piazza back in July but the Yankees are preventing any possible retaliation from the Mets by scheduling him to pitch in games at Yankee Stadium only, where the the designated hitter is in effect and pitcher does not have to bat. Clemens was 1-1 in two starts against the Mets this season. He has struggled in his career against the cross-town rivals, going 2-4 with a 7.74 ERA. The Mets counter with Mike Hampton, the MVP of the National League Championship Series. Hampton was unhittable against St. Louis, going 2-0 while firing 16 scoreless innings, including the series clincher. He yielded just three singles and a walk with eight strikeouts. Hampton tossed seven scoreless innings the day after the beaning incident in his only appearance against the Yankees. Game 3 will be played Tuesday at Shea Stadium.
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