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Game Story: Manny's bat powers Sox to 14-9 win »
July 26, 2007
TOLEDO, Ohio – The ending was a little hairy, but otherwise Curt Schilling’s second rehab outing for Pawtucket was nothing but smooth sailing.
Schilling allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings, striking out eight Mud Hens and not walking a batter in a game the PawSox eventually lost 3-2 in 10 innings.
“How about Schilling – this was a positive night for Red Sox Nation, because Curt Schilling was really good,” Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson said. “His pitches were low going through four innings, and he was really impressive.
“He commanded everything he had, and he was excited about his stuff. He’s made two very good rehab starts for us.”
Schilling retired the first 14 Mud Hens he faced in order before giving up a double to deep center by Brent Clevlen.
“He left a split-finger up, and I just tried to square it up,” Clevlen said. “He was throwing strikes. He had the split-finger going for him, and we kept chasing it.”
The next batter, David Espinosa, then hit a high hopper off Schilling’s glove. Second baseman Bobby Scales tried to throw Espinosa out at first but failed; Clevlen tried to score on the play, and first baseman Jeff Bailey threw Clevlen out at the plate.
“That was a nice play – and a big play in a 1-0 game,” Schilling said. “I was happy to not give up runs.”
Schilling’s line for the night included just two hits and no walks in five innings. The 40-year-old struck out eight and threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of the 16 hitters he faced. He finished with 66 pitches thrown, 44 for strikes.
“I felt good, I felt strong,” Schilling said. “I got stronger as the game went on, and I felt really strong in the fifth.
“There were a lot of good things out there.”
In his first rehab outing he allowed just two hits in three innings against Louisville July 21; he said he will make one more rehab start for Pawtucket next Tuesday in Columbus.
“It’s most important that I feel strong,” Schilling said. “My split [split-finger fastball] is as good as it’s ever been, and to have the velocity makes it even better.”
Schilling, who was 6-4 for Boston this season before going on the disabled list June 19 because of tendonitis in his right shoulder.
After last night’s game Schilling declined comment on any subject not related to last night’s start.
In the game Pawtucket scored a run in the top of the ninth, only to see the Mud Hens tie the game with a run in the bottom of the ninth off Travis Hughes.
Then in the 10th Clevlen hit a bases-loaded, two-out single to right to score Henry Mateo with the game-winning run.
NOTES: Yesterday Boston signed outfielder Brady Clark to a free-agent contract and assigned him to Pawtucket. He led off for the PawSox and had a hit in four at-bats. Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 22 to make room for Clark on the PawSox roster.
--JOHN WAGNER (Special to the Journal)
Posted by Corey Bourassa 
at 10:57 PM to PawSox
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