Curt Schilling throws 78 pitches and allows one run and five hits over five innings in a successful rehab start with the PawSox.

09:28 AM EDT on Thursday, June 30, 2005

BY DAVE SHERWOOD
Special to the Journal

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Curt Schilling entered the game to a standing ovation and departed to another one as Boston's World Series star completed a successful rehabilitation start for the Pawtucket Red Sox last night against the Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium.

AP photo

Curt Schilling delivers a pitch against Charlotte in his rehab start for the PawSox last night. Said Schilling: "In the last two inning, I tried to relax and pitch."

"This is Red Sox Nation," Schilling said. "There are secrets only Red Sox players know. I felt like I was back in Philadelphia a few days ago." Charlotte's season-high crowd of 10,736 included more than one No. 38 Curt Schilling replica jersey.

Schilling threw 78 pitches last night (57 strikes, 21 balls) and The former Charlotte pitcher (1988 with the Orioles) left the game as the pitcher of record, but Charlotte rallied against three PawSox relievers and posted a 5-4 win in the bottom of the ninth inning.

In five innings, Schilling allowed one earned run and five hits. He struck out three and walked one. Schilling recorded seven ground-ball outs and four fly-ball outs. The PawSox led, 3-1, when the veteran left the game.

"There was some progression from the first inning through the fifth inning," Schilling noted. "The first two or three innings, I was trying to answer my own questions. There was much progression in the fourth and fifth innings, as much mentally as physically."

Even his opponents were impressed. Charlotte catcher Jamie Burke had three of his four hits against Schilling, but he had high praise for the Red Sox hurler. "He's throwing everything well," Burke said. "I had a couple of bloopers. He fooled me with a split finger (in the third inning). I thought he made good pitches tonight."

"In the last two innings, I tried to relax and pitch," Schilling said. "I feel better than I did yesterday about how I feel. I had forgotten what a three-up, three-down inning felt like (he got one in the fourth frame)."

Schilling believes the good feelings began during pregame warmups. "When I was warming up in the bullpen, I felt phenomenal," he said. "I was moving the ball in and out. I was trying to make small changes. Mechanically, I was trying to force the issue instead of answering questions."

A reporter asked whether his good outing would accelerate his rehabilitation work. "I will take stock (tomorrow) and see what happens," Schilling said. "I'm leery. It's been almost seven months since I pitched a good game. No matter how mentally strong you feel, at times it is tough to put a positive spin on things.

"I took some good steps today," Schilling added. "There is no pressure from the organization. We are playing well right now. There is more pressure from how hard I am pushing myself."

When asked how many more rehab starts he would need, Schilling was non-committal. His next scheduled start is Monday at McCoy Stadium against the Knights. The game already is a sellout.

Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson also was impressed. "I'm a big fan of Curt Schilling," Johnson said. "I earn a living as a baseball coach, but I gained tremendous enjoyment from watching Curt throw tonight. We were pleased with his efforts. His command got better in the later innings."