01:00 AM EST on Friday, March 17, 2006

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Roger Clemens was a loser in what might have been the final start of his outstanding career, and Mexico eliminated Team USA from the World Baseball Classic.

Oliver Perez and seven relievers combined for a three-hitter last night as Mexico beat the Rocket and the United States, 2-1, giving Japan another shot at Korea in the WBC semifinals.

South Korea had a 3-0 second-round record in Group One, with Team USA, Japan and Mexico all 1-2. Japan earned the second semifinal berth from the group by allowing the fewest runs in games between the tied teams.

Japan, which already has lost twice to South Korea in the Classic, faces its archrival in tomorrow's opening semifinal game at Petco Park in San Diego, with the Dominican Republic meeting Cuba tomorrow night. The winners play Monday night for the championship.

Clemens has said he's leaning toward retirement after the Classic. He wasn't at his best against Mexico, allowing six hits and two runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Perez allowed only one hit in three scoreless innings, and the Mexican bullpen later retired 12 straight batters.

The Americans tied it in the fourth off Francisco Campos when Jones doubled, took third on a fly ball and scored on Wells' sacrifice fly.

Mexico took a 2-1 lead in the fifth and chased Clemens.