Sports briefs 6/7/06

Baseball

• A pitching legend, pitching as a Legend, began his latest comeback Tuesday night on an unfamiliar mound in the low minor leagues with -- what else? -- a strikeout.

Roger Clemens showed pinpoint control and a sharp fastball during his tuneup for the Houston Astros' Class-A Lexington Legends. Playing alongside his son, Koby, he gave up a long home run but otherwise looked like his old self in three innings of work against the Lake County Captains, a Cleveland Indians affiliate.

Next up is probably a start Sunday at Class AA Corpus Christi, Texas, followed by another one June 16 at Class AAA Round Rock, Texas. The Rocket could be pitching in the big leagues by June 22 against Minnesota.

* Astros ace Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 30 on Tuesday.

Oswalt, 5-3 with a 3.11 ERA, has been diagnosed with a mid-back strain on the left side and is scheduled to return on June 14.

The back-to-back 20 game winner was scratched from his last start on Sunday just two minutes before the game was to begin. At the time the Astros said he had back spasms.

Houston brought left-handed pitcher Philip Barzilla up from Class AAA Round Rock to take Oswalt's roster spot.

Golf

• Matt Kuchar earned another trip to the U.S. Open as the 156-man field was set with the final nine spots for Winged Foot being decided Tuesday at three sectional qualifiers.

Kuchar, a former U.S. Amateur champion who delighted crowds at Olympic Club in 1998 when he tied for 14th at the Open, picked up one of three spots at Ansley Golf Club with rounds of 68-67 to share medalist honors.

His 9-under 135 tied with Jason Dufner.

Travis Hurst was the only player to break par at Fox Run Golf Club and shot 70-67 to win the sectional qualifier in St. Louis. He was joined by Jay Delsing, who has earned more than $3 million on the PGA Tour but has never finished higher than 74th on the money list.

Soccer

• The Los Angeles Galaxy of fired coach Steve Sampson on Tuesday with the team in last place in the MLS and on a six-game losing streak.

-- From wire reports