Schilling's Rehab Start

[CalvnHobs6]

From Pawsox.com:

Curt Schilling had a successful outing in Charlotte on a major league rehabilitation assignment on Wednesday night, working five innings, although the PawSox lost 5-4 to the Knights. Schilling scattered 5 hits, walked one and struck out three. The big righthander threw 78 pitches. As a member of the PawSox, Schilling is still 0-1. The Sox reached starter Dennis Ulacia early. Dave Berg (3 hits) doubled in the first and scored on a base hit by Roberto Petagine. Petagine scored on a home run by Kelly Shoppach (#15). Pawtucket added an insurance tally in the seventh when Alejandro Machado scored on Berg's single. Charlotte catcher Jamie Burke had 4 hits, including a solo homer. In the ninth, reliever Mark Malaska blew the save and took the loss as the Knights scored twice. The series resumes on Thursday night at 7:15, as Lenny DiNardo (2-2) faces Felix Diaz (2-3). If all goes as planned, Schilling will start for the PawSox at McCoy Stadium on July fourth.

[soxie thefangirl]

Sweet. So good news.

[CalvnHobs6]

Schilling makes first start since April

By PETE IACOBELLI, AP Sports Writer

June 29, 2005

 

FORT MILL, S.C. (AP) -- Curt Schilling took a big step toward rejoining the Boston Red Sox's rotation by pitching five strong innings for Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday night in his first start since injuring his right ankle in April.

 

``I feel good, good,'' Schilling said. ``This was a very positive step.''

 

Schilling threw 78 pitches -- 54 of them strikes -- and allowed a run on five hits. He struck out three, walked one and left to a standing ovation from the many Boston fans who turned out to see the World Series champion's ace.

 

Schilling waved his glove hand to the crowd after the fifth inning, shook hands with Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson and flipped his cap into the stands before disappearing down the dugout steps.

 

``I spent the first two or three innings -- I tried to answer a lot of questions, a lot of my own questions,'' Schilling said. ``I thought the fourth and fifth innings I started to pitch. A lot of things to work on, but I thought there was a lot of progression, probably as much mentally as well as physically tonight.''

 

Schilling hadn't pitched since bruising an ankle bone against Tampa Bay on April 23. Last Friday, he threw 84 pitches in a simulated five-inning game before the Red Sox played at Philadelphia to set himself up for the minor league start.

 

If there are no recovery problems the next few days, Schilling will face the Knights again Monday at Pawtucket. And another stellar performance could mean Schilling's return to Boston before the All-Star break -- just like he projected earlier this month.

 

``I feel better than I did yesterday about how I feel,'' Schilling said, smiling.

 

Schilling last pitched at Knights Stadium in 1988 as a Baltimore farmhand with the then-Double-A Knights.

 

This time, though, many in the crowd came out to honor the pitcher that helped lead the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years.

 

Fans, several dressing in Schilling's Boston jersey, lined the railing by the visitors' dugout waiting for a glimpse or a wave. One family held up a sign that said simply, ``Welcome Back, Curt. Thank You.''

 

When Schilling finally jogged to the mound in the bottom of the first, those fans stood and cheered.

 

``They were unbelievable,'' Schilling said. ``That's Red Sox Nation, that's part of one of the secrets that as a Red Sox player is all you know about. ... They were vocal and it was very much appreciated.''

 

Schilling gave them plenty to cheer about.

 

After Jamie Burke doubled with one out, Schilling got out of trouble with a flyball to center and a grounder to third.

 

In the second, Schilling faced runners on the corners with one out. But he forced Felix Martinez into a sharp grounder to second for an inning-ending double play.

 

The Knights finally got to Schilling in the third on a single by Burke, a walk by Roosevelt Brown and a RBI hit to center by Jorge Toca.

 

But that was all they could manage against the six-time All-Star.

 

Schilling rang up his first strikeout in the fourth against Knights center fielder Joe Borchard on a 92 mph fastball.

 

He was ahead 3-1 when he came out after the fifth inning.

 

Schilling also appeared to have little trouble moving on his repaired ankle -- it's hard to forget the bloody sock Schilling sported in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series at New York last fall and in Game 2 of the World Series against St. Louis. Schilling had surgery in November to repair a detached tendon in his right ankle.

 

But on a grounder hit behind first in the second inning against Charlotte, Schilling sped to cover first without problems.

 

Schilling wants to be hopeful, but knows not to get ahead of himself.

 

``I'm leery. We've done this before,'' Schilling said. ``You know, it's been seven months since I pitched a good game. And I think no matter how mentally strong you think you are, there are times when it's tough to put a positive spin on things. It's been very tough for me since Game 4 of the World Series.''

 

The way Schilling looked, his tough times may be coming to an end.

 

That's another blurb from AP I believe. This all sounds very promising. But I still say don't push it. We're doing decent without him, so bring him back after the allstar break after 2 more rehab starts.

[soxie thefangirl]

He'll probably be back for one start against the O's.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I believe it's t-minus 10 days if he starts in the finale of the four game series against the O's. Can't wait to get him back whether it's before or right after the All-Star break. :thumbsup:

[Sizzlin22]

As sweet as it would be I say let him take untill after the All Star break off. Give him that little extra time to be ready and be 150% healthy before comeing back. Clearly we are playing well without him so lets not push him.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I'm in agreement with you, Sizzlin. I'd rather see him make his first start back with that extra time off from the All-Star break. PLUS that first start back would be against the Yankees at the Fens.

[elsrbueno]

My only reservation about waiting until after the All Star Break would be that it'd be awfully nice to get him a start in the bigs BEFORE he'd have to face the Yankees. He could make a start during the weekend series at Baltimore, and still be able to make a start against the Yankees on full rest.

 

Of course his minor league starts are partly to get him tuned up, but I'd hate to see him pitch against the Yankees and not be sharp.

[YanksHater213]

Yeah, we really shouldnt push it with Schill right now. As someone said, we are going really well, so if we need to wait maybe one more start longer I wouldnt mind as much as I would if we werent doing as well. But once we have a healthy Schilling back throwing like he did last year, the rest of the AL East is f***ed.

[Sizzlin22]

I did not realize his first start would be against the Yankees if he took that extra time off. I change my mind, start him before the Yankees so he can work out any major league bugs that he may or may not have.