Cincinnati ? The Rocket barely touched down on his way to win No. 300, leaving a bunch of disappointed Cincinnati hitters behind.

Just once, the Reds would have liked to have seen seen what it’s like to dig in against Roger Clemens.

“It can be absolutely no fun at all to face a guy like that, but just to get the chance to face one of the best — that’s what it’s all about,” outfielder Austin Kearns said.

Clemens wasn’t scheduled to pitch during the New York Yankees’ first visit since the 1976 World Series. He stuck around for the first two games, then left Thursday afternoon for Chicago and another attempt at career win No. 300.

Clemens has failed twice to reach the mark, most recently Sunday in Detroit. He’s scheduled to start Saturday at Wrigley Field, the highlight of the Yankees’ first visit there since 1938.

The Yankees had scheduled a news conference with Clemens Thursday to discuss the start, but a last-minute change of plans sent him along to Chicago ahead of the team.

“Yankee Stadium is pretty special,” Torre said. “Wrigley Field is pretty special.”

So is 300 wins, a mark reached by only 20 others. The closer Clemens gets, the farther away it seems to be. Family and friends followed him to Detroit, and will be on hand when he gets his next chance.

Cincinnati's Jason LaRue (23) is congratulated by Russell Branyan, right, and coach Ray Knight (25), after LaRue scored the winning run Tuesday against the New York Yankees in Cincinnati. The Reds said they wished the could have faced Roger Clemens, who will try for career win No. 300 Saturday in Chicago.

Reds hitters were disappointed that Clemens, who was born in nearby Dayton, didn’t get to try for it at Great American Ball Park, which already has had one historic moment in its inaugural season. Sammy Sosa hit homer No. 500 April 4, when the Reds got their first win.

They would have loved to have the same kind of night against Clemens.

“It would have been neat to face him,” first baseman Sean Casey said. “What he’s done is really special. After (Greg) Maddux and (Tom) Glavine, who knows who might ever get to 300 again.”