Poor New Orleans Zephyrs. The team probably hoped to play a solid game tonight, then head out for some victory beers afterwards. Then the pitching rotation is announced, and oh, snap! The Round Rock Express will utilize the services of seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens to obliterate their opponents tonight at the Dell Diamond. The traditional Friday night fireworks at the Diamond should be a fitting cap to a rare night with a legend in a small ballpark.

This is the third minor league start for Clemens, who will return to the Houston Astros for (another) final season after the game. Clemens last started for Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks on his three-city minor league warmup tour, recording 11 strikeouts during the outing. It is no coincidence that Clemens pitched for the Hooks and Express this month: he's a partial owner of both teams.

If you slept on tickets, it's too late. The game is sold out, and no tickets will be available at the box office. The Express are also warning Round Rock residents that the ruckus regarding the Rocket (that's a lot of alliteration) may cause some traffic jams in the area around game time.

Image via Michael Brown on Flickr.