Curt Schilling’s first relief appearance looked a lot like his last start: not very good.
The injured Red Sox ace pitched a sloppy ninth inning in Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night as he began his conversion from starter to reliever. The 38-year-old right-hander allowed two runs–one of them earned–on two hits, striking out two.
“I wanted to go out and strike out all three guys I faced. It didn’t happen,” Schilling said.
“I forgot how much your adrenaline is tied to the score of the game. It’s different.”
Rogers’ choice
AL manager Terry Francona said it’s up to Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers, who was suspended for 20 games and fined $50,000 by Commissioner Bud Selig, to decide whether he wants to participate in the All-Star Game.
“If he decides to pull out . . . that is something I would certainly respect,” Francona said. “If he decides to pitch, that is something I would also respect. “He’s earned that.”
Extra innings
The Yankees brought up outfielder Melky Cabrera and placed pitcher Carl Pavano on the 15-day DL with a sore right shoulder. . . . Red Sox closer Keith Foulke had left knee surgery and is expected to miss six weeks. Boston designated outfielder Jay Payton for assignment and swapped infielders with the Indians, sending Ramon Vazquez to Cleveland for Alex Cora. . . . The Orioles activated outfielder B.J. Surhoff from the 15-day DL and demoted a bitter David Newhan. “It’s like communism here,” he said. “Until you get a no-trade clause or six years in, they own you.”
THURSDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Cleveland 2 at New York 7
W: Mussina (9-5)
L: Millwood (3-7)
Yankees’ Jason Giambi hit HR for 3rd straight game and added RBI single to raise avg to .274, highest it’s been since he went 1-for-2 in season opener. Kevin Millwood dropped to 0-3 career vs. N.Y.
Boston 1 at Baltimore 3
W: Cabrera (7-7)
L: Wells (6-5)
S: Byrdak (1)
Orioles’ Eli Marrero, Melvin Mora hit solo HRs; Sammy Sosa had 1st RBI since June 19 in game called after 6 innings (rain). O’s 3rd win in last 12 pulled them within 3 of 1st-place Boston in AL East.
Oakland 2 at Toronto 4
W: Chacin (7-5)
L: Harden (5-4)
S: Batista (15)
Vernon Wells hit his 17th HR, a 3-run shot in 5th to lift Jays to 3-2 lead. Eric Byrnes hit 2-run HR for A’s, who lost just 4th in last 18. Gustavo Chacin won 1st since June 6, span of 7 starts.
Detroit 6 at Tampa Bay 4
W: Douglass (2-0)
L: McClung (0-5)
S: Percival (8)
Tigers’ Magglio Ordonez hit 3rd HR since coming off DL last Friday, 384-foot, solo shot for 4-2 lead in 3rd. Chris Shelton’s 2-run HR capped Detroit’s 3-run 1st. Jorge Cantu had 2 RBIs for Rays.
Minnesota 5 at Kansas City 8
W: Lima (2-8)
L: Lohse (7-7)
Royals’ Angel Berroa 4-for-5 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs and Jose Lima won for 2nd time in 18 starts. Berroa 11-for-18 and has hit 5 games in row since lowered in batting order. K.C.’s 12 hits were all singles.
Seattle 10 at Los Angeles 2
W: Pineiro (3-4)
L: Colon (11-5)
Joel Pineiro threw 6-hit CG to win for 1st time in 12 starts. Bartolo Colon lost for only 2nd time in 9 decisions, allowing season-high 7 runs and 7 hits over 6 IP to raise ERA from 3.06 to 3.42.
