Game Info
Date: Tuesday, August 30th, 2005
First Pitch: 7:05pm ET
TV: NESN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/7292.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4267.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/tb.gif #26 Scott Kazmir (7-9, 4.12)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #38 Curt Schilling (5-6, 6.89)
Schilling ready to set down Rays
Tampa Bay (55-77) at Boston (74-54), 7:05 p.m. ET
The last time Curt Schilling made a start at Fenway Park, he did so in the morning. It was Marathon Monday, way back on April 18. That was also the last time Schilling won a game as a starter.
Schilling hopes to find that win column again on Tuesday night when he takes the ball against the Devil Rays -- this time under the lights of Fenway -- in his second start since ending his six-week run as a closer.
The Red Sox have been relentless at home of late, taking 15 of their last 16 games at Fenway Park. They need every win they can get, with the Yankees lurking just 1 1/2 games back in the American League East.
What are the Red Sox looking for out of Schilling?
"I would say the hope would be maybe six innings," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "We'll see how he gets to it. Pitch count is certainly something we'll keep an eye on."
Pitching matchup
TB: LHP Scott Kazmir
• 7-9, 4.12 ERA in 2005
• 1-1, 2.00 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
BOS: RHP Curt Schilling
• 5-6, 6.89 ERA in 2005
• 1-2, 5.54 ERA vs. TB in 2005
Player to watch
Designated hitter David Ortiz looks primed to make a strong push for American League MVP. Big Papi has bashed four homers in the last three games.
Quotable
"He's our catalyst, he means everything to this team. I think there's not a man in here that doesn't realize that Johnny [Damon] kind of makes us go. He's very, very important to us. I know he's a tough player, and he'll be back out on the field for us soon." -- Gabe Kapler, on Damon, who left Monday's game with a bruised hand
Quick hits
The Red Sox have scored at least seven runs in each of their last 11 games. ... Ortiz has 29 RBIs in August. ... Bill Mueller is in the midst of a 12-game hitting streak. ... The Sox are 41-19 at Fenway
On deck
• Wednesday: vs. Tampa Bay, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: vs. Tampa Bay, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: vs. Baltimore, 7:05 p.m. ET