Rocker allows two runs in extended spring start

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - John Rocker allowed two runs and three hits over one inning Tuesday for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays&#39; extended spring training team. <br> <br> The former Atlanta, Cleveland and Texas reliever struck out one and walked one, throwing 13 of 24 pitches for strikes against Toronto Blue Jays&#39; minor leaguers. He was coming off two perfect innings, including four strikeouts, in an extended game last Saturday. <br> <br> The left-hander said afterward that he expects to join AA Orlando this week. <br> <br> Rocker was confident he could regain the form he had before his career plummeted after the pitcher made insensitive remarks about minorities, gays and others in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article. <br> <br> Texas released the once-dominant closer in October, after the 28-year-old player had spent most of the season on the disabled list with bursitis in his left shoulder. <br> <br> One of three hits was a single by infielder Juan Peralta, who also doubled off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in an extended game last week. Rivera was rehabilitating a right groin strain.

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