01:00 AM EDT on Friday, July 9, 2004

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Curt Schilling was selected to the American League All-Star team last Sunday.

If he starts the game Tuesday in Houston, he'll earn a $50,000 bonus. But whether he'd pitch at all was up in the air last night at Fenway Park.

Manager Terry Francona clearly wouldn't mind if Schilling doesn't pitch at all. Francona would like Schilling, who has been bothered by a right ankle bruise all year, to rest up for the second half.

"I don't know right now," said Schilling. "We are going to talk. We'll huddle together tomorrow, evaluate where we are at and what we want to do. I want to give this thing as much rest and do as much work as I can to make sure that it doesn't bother me in the second half. "

Francona admits to being torn regarding the decision.

"It's an honor to represent the American League and it's an honor to represent the Red Sox. His first allegience is to the Red Sox," said Francona.

"Pitching in the game is an honor as long as he's healthy. The manager in me is very proud of him and wants to see him pitch. The worrywart in me wants to make sure he stays healthy. He's made every start (in the first half). To ask him not to pitch, I don't think that's fair. I'm sure he'll do the right thing," said Francona.

Schilling made his final start of the first half last night. Coming off a complete-game, 114-pitch six-hitter in Atlanta last Sunday, he lasted only 5 1/3 innings, surrendering 11 hits and three runs before being lifted.

The blown save by Keith Foulke , his second in as many chances since June 13, saddled Schilling with a no-decision.

An unusual feat

Johnny Damon was in the starting lineup, one night after fouling a ball off his left knee. It was the second time this season Damon had done that, an unusual spot for a foul ball to strike a batter.

He also did it on April 9, and it cost him two games from the lineup.

"He called me up and said, 'If you're thinking about not playing me, don't' " said Francona. "That was one of the hardest balls he hit. I don't know how he does that, hitting liners off his knee. That's hard to do."

Damon said the pain Wednesday night provided him with a feeling of deja vu.

"It hurt me just as much as it did the first time," said Damon yesterday. "I'm kind of shocked how well I'm moving around right now."

Damon reached on an infield single up the middle leading off the first inning, stretching his season-best hitting streak to 13 games.

Youkilis bides his time

Kevin Youkilis was out of the starting lineup for the sixth straight game. The rookie third baseman has been caught in a player log jam behind Bill Mueller, Pokey Reese and Mark Bellhorn. Youkilis, who was batting .294 in 37 games, had no problem with his lack of activity.

"I'm happy just to be part of this atmosphere up here," said Youkilis, who began the year in Pawtucket. "Just the fact that the team wants to keep me here I feel is a compliment."

Francona, though, doesn't want Youkilis to rot on the bench. He said Youkilis would play a game against Texas this weekend.

"He has handled himself really well since he's been here. (Not playing) is tough on him, but he's looking at it the right way. I'm not comfortable with that, either. I want to get him in there, but I don't know what else to do," said Francona.

The envelope, please

Sarasota left-hander Juan Cedeno and Portland catcher Jeff Bailey won the organization's pitcher- and player-of-the-month awards, respectively.

Cedeno went 3-0 with a 1.93 earned-run average in six games, five of them starts. Overall, Cedeno is 7-3 with a 3.45 E.R.A.

Bailey batted .349 (29-for-83) with 10 doubles, 4 homers, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored in 26 games. He had a slugging percentage of .639 and an on-base percentage of .450.

Running the bases

David Ortiz has had at least two extra-base hits in 11 games this season. He now has a league-leading 32 doubles and 23 homers, which is only one fewer than Manny Ramirez, who is tops in the A.L. Ortiz' 55 total extra-base hits is the most in the majors. Ramirez has 51 . . . Reports from Pawtucket don't seem to indicate that right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim is close to returning to Boston's staff.