Houston ? While Roger Clemens returned to the mound for his 23rd major league season, his Houston Astros teammates got a close look at a future ace in Francisco Liriano.

Minnesota’s 22-year-old phenom pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Twins to a 4-2 victory over Houston in Clemens’ much-anticipated 2006 debut.

The Rocket was looking for his 342nd win. Instead, it was Liriano, only 7 months old when Clemens started his big-league career, who earned his eighth victory.

“That’s as good as we’ve seen,” Astros manager Phil Garner said before a five-second pause. “Let me say that again – that’s the best we’ve seen so far.”

The 43-year-old Clemens (0-1), a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, left after throwing 100 pitches in five innings. It was his first major-league start since leaving Game 1 of the World Series exactly eight months ago due to a strained hamstring. He allowed six hits and two runs while striking out four and walking two.

“I’m trying to fight off age the best I can, and I’ll do the work,” Clemens said. “I came in as a power pitcher, I want to go out as one. That’s the objective.”

Liriano (7-1) gave up just four hits in eight innings and didn’t allow a run until Jason Lane’s two-run homer in the eighth, helping the Twins to their ninth victory in 10 games and their fourth straight series victory.

St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols grounds out to White Sox third baseman Joe Crede during the sixth inning of the Cardinals' 1-0 loss. Pujols came off the disabled list to play in Thursday's game in Chicago.

Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 11th save.

“It was fun to watch Roger,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “But on our side it was actually more fun to watch Francisco. He’s what we come to see.”

The sellout crowd of 43,769 was the largest in the history of Houston’s ballpark.

Clemens, who wears jersey No. 22, re-signed with the Astros on May 31 for a one-year contract worth $22,000,022. Since he’s joining the team late, he’ll get a portion of that amount – about $12.25 million. He had three tuneup starts in the minors before joining the Astros.

“It was positive,” Clemens said. “My body felt better than expected and I hope and expect to get stronger each time I get out there.”

Liriano faced the minimum through the first six innings, thanks to double plays in three of them. He walked Craig Biggio leading off the seventh before retiring three straight batters.

White Sox 1, Cardinals 0

Chicago – Jim Thome homered in the seventh inning for the only hit off rookie Anthony Reyes, sending Freddy Garcia and the White Sox over St. Louis.

Houston pitcher Roger Clemens looks to third-base umpire Mike Reilly for a call on a pitch to Minnesota's Justin Morneau during the third inning of the Astros' 4-2 loss. Clemens, making his 2006 debut Thursday in Houston, felt Morneau had swung at the pitch, but it was ruled ball four.

Missing suspended manager Ozzie Guillen, the defending World Series champions won their seventh straight and finished a three-game sweep of the NL Central leaders, who were shut out despite the return of Albert Pujols.

Reyes (1-1), recalled from Triple-A Memphis before the game, retired his first 13 batters against a team that had 33 runs and 40 hits in the first two games of the series.

Garcia (9-4) allowed four hits in eight innings, retiring 13 straight during one stretch. But his effort was overshadowed for the first 61â3 innings by Reyes, who mixed pitches and changed speeds.

Pujols came off the disabled list Thursday.

The 2005 NL MVP played first base and batted third. He was 0-for-4 on the night.

Marlins 8, Orioles 5

Baltimore – Refusing to be walked, Miguel Cabrera reached across the plate and hit an intentional ball from Todd Williams for a 10th-inning RBI single, helping the Marlins rally past Baltimore.

Blue Jays 3, Braves 2

Atlanta – Thanks to another bullpen meltdown, the Braves have lost 10 consecutive games for the first time in 18 years. The Braves have been swept in three straight series of at least three games for the first time since 1977

Devil Rays 4, D’backs 1

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Scott Kazmir took a two-hitter into the eighth inning, and Aubrey Huff homered and drove in three runs to lead Tampa Bay over struggling Arizona.

Rangers 5, Padres 3

Arlington, Texas – Michael Young got the go-ahead hit, and Texas beat San Diego to avoid a series sweep and a losing homestand.

Dodgers, 4 Mariners 2

Los Angeles – Derek Lowe pitched a seven-hitter to win his fifth straight decision, Cesar Izturis got three hits and scored twice in his first start since August, and L.A. snapped a five-game losing streak.

National League

Mets 6, Reds 2

New York – David Wright hit a pair of two-run homers, and Pedro Martinez won for only the second time since April 28.