SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP) — Roger Clemens is back on the mound at age 50, striking out hitters again.

Clemens pitched Saturday night for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. He faced Bridgeport and fanned the first batter he faced, former major leaguer Joey Gathright.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who last pitched for the New York Yankees in 2007, worked a 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts. His fastball was clocked at 88 mph.

The Rocket hasn’t committed to playing more than one game for the Skeeters, but some believe this is the first step in an attempted return to the majors.

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