The Associated Press

Roger Clemens bounded to the mound for his first start in 10 days, then refused to come out after throwing 94 pitches. His hamstring healed, the Rocket looked ready for the regular season.

Reggie Sanders made his return to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup from an appendectomy an emphatic one, too.

The 42-year-old Clemens seemed dominant as ever through the first four innings of the Houston Astros' 14-11, 10-inning victory over Detroit in Lakeland, Fla., on Monday, scattering four harmless hits. But the Tigers broke through for three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth.

''The hamstring was free and loose,'' Clemens said. ''I was able to jog to the mound, which I couldn't do the other day.''

Clemens got a standing ovation from the fans at Joker Marchant Stadium as he left after completing six innings, trailing 7-6. He allowed 12 hits, two of them homers, while walking one and striking out seven.

This was the third start of the spring for Clemens, but the first since March 18, when he left a game against Detroit with a strained right hamstring. Clemens, who won his seventh Cy Young last season, threw 90 pitches in a simulated game March 24 in Kissimmee.

Astros manager Phil Garner had intended to keep Clemens on a 90-pitch count, but it didn't work out quite that way.

''I went out to the mound at 94 and he said he wanted to keep going,'' Garner said. ''I frankly thought his 99th pitch was his best.''

Clemens eventually finished at 109 pitches, 70 for strikes.

At Jupiter, Fla., Sanders homered in the third inning of the Cardinals' 13-10 loss to the New York Mets, his first actions since being removed from the lineup March 17 because of abdominal pain. He had surgery the following day, and spent two days in the hospital before being released.

''I still feel a little weak but I expect to be at full strength opening day,'' Sanders said. As for the solo home run in the third inning, Sanders said with a smile, ''It sure felt good.''

Sanders, who hit .260 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs with the Cardinals last season, said he started light workouts five days after having surgery.

Manager Tony La Russa thinks Sanders should be ready for the regular season.

''He still has some work to do but I expect him to be ready,'' La Russa said.

In other games

Braves 12, Indians 6

At Winter Haven, Fla., using a batting stance Willie Mays urged him to go back to, Andruw Jones hit his major league-leading ninth and 10th home runs of the spring.

Cleveland's Juan Gonzalez, who made the opening day roster in his comeback from three injury-prone seasons, was a late scratch from the starting lineup with a tight left hamstring.

Yankees 8, Blue Jays 3

At Dunedin, Fla., Tony Womack was hit in the left knee by a pitch from David Bush. X-ray were negative and he'll have an MRI on Tuesday. Yankees manager Joe Torre is hopeful Womack will return this week.

Bernie Williams went 2-for-4, including an RBI triple, in his first major league game since straining his upper back March 20.

Red Sox 9, Phillies 5

At Clearwater, Fla., David Wells tuned up for his opening day start against the Yankees with another rough outing - five runs and eight hits in five innings. Wells finished the spring with a 7.94 ERA.

Jim Thome had three hits, including a homer, in a minor league game for Philadelphia. Thome has missed the last six games with a lower back strain.

Pirates 6, Devil Rays 4

At Bradenton, Fla., Craig Wilson hit one of his two home runs in succession with Ty Wigginton in the seventh inning.

Orioles 7, Marlins 6

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-run homer off Antonio Alfonseca with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Carlos Delgado hit a three-run homer and Chris Aguila also connected for the Marlins. Delgado has a team-leading 10 RBIs.

White Sox 12, Athletics 8

At Tucson, Ariz., Jon Garland gave up a single and a home run to the first two batters he faced in his first start since being hit on the right biceps by a grounder Wednesday. He allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings.

Dan Haren allowed seven runs and nine hits over 5 2-3 innings for Oakland.

Giants 2, Rangers 1

At Surprise, Ariz., Noah Lowry outdueled fellow second-year pitcher Chris Young, giving up a run on six hits and a walk. He had four strikeouts in six innings. Young, who is in a fight for the No. 5 spot in the Rangers' rotation, allowed two runs and six hits. He walked one and threw a wild pitch.

Angels 14, Brewers 8

Tempe, Ariz., Vladimir Guerrero had a home run among his four hits and Maicer Izturis hit a bases-loaded triple for the Angels. Carlos Lee went 4-for-5 and hit his seventh homer for Milwaukee.

Royals 4, Padres 2

At Peoria, Ariz., Denny Bautista pitched five strong innings, allowing one run and three hits to bolster his chance of being the Royals' fifth starter. Mike Sweeney hit a two-run home run for the Royals.

Rockies 7, Diamondbacks 3

At Tucson, Ariz., Jamey Wright allowed just three hits and a run in six innings and solidified a spot in Colorado's rotation.

Mets 13, Cardinals 10

At Jupiter, Fla., Mike Piazza hit a two-run homer in the third for the Mets, and Scott Rolen had a grand slam in the Cardinals' seven-run sixth inning. Albert Pujols also connected for St. Louis.

Dodgers 3, Nationals 2

At Vero Beach, Fla., Jeff Weaver allowed eight hits and two runs in seven innings for Los Angeles. Joel Guzman, the Dodgers' 2004 minor league player of the year, homered in his first big league game of the spring.

Washington starter Esteban Loaiza gave up three runs and five hits in six innings.

Mariners 11, Cubs 7

At Mesa, Ariz., Ailing Cubs starting pitcher Mark Prior worked four-plus innings in a simulated game, throwing 51 pitches against minor league hitters.

Prior hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since March 10 because of inflammation and irritation in his right elbow and around the ulnar nerve. The team will wait to see how Prior feels before determining the next step in his rehab.

Raul Ibanez had a two-run double and the Mariners scored twice on wild pitches by Chad Fox, snapping a 7-all tie with four runs in the ninth.