Arroyo, Schilling pace crucial win over Devil Rays

09:34 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 20, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- It was the situation Curt Schilling has been preparing for -- savior.

The Red Sox ace turned closer earned his first career save with the Red Sox -- and 14th of his career (the last coming on May 3, 1992 with the Philadelphia Phillies) -- as Boston finished off the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 5-2, last night at Fenway Park.

The veteran right-hander entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the side in order with one strikeout. He reached 94 miles per hour on the radar gun. It seems he's becoming comfortable in his new role.

"I thought he was very good," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "I contend the more he pitches, the more we are going to get closer and closer to seeing Schill, and that's what we want. That doesn't mean the guy is not going to give up runs; you're going to know what you are going to get. Teams are going to have to beat him, and I don't think that's going to happen."

Rebounding from ankle surgery during the offseason, Schilling has attempted to come back several times this season to help the club. His rehab starts in Pawtucket as a starter were not effective enough to come back to Boston in his normal starting role. When Keith Foulke was placed on the disabled list, organization approached him about becoming the club's closer

Finally, Schilling was effective last night.

AP photo

Sox slugger Manny Ramirez, right, recieves a hug from Kevin Millar after slugging a solo homer in the fourth inning of last night's victory over Tampa Bay at Fenway Park.

Until last night, his reintroduction to the bullpen wasn't a smooth one. He suffered the loss last Thursday against the New York Yankees, allowing a two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning. But since then, Schilling has worked three scoreless innings.

"I've been progressing and that's the best way I can put it," said Schilling. "It's been getting better. I haven't had a problem with this role. I said when this all started that this wouldn't be an issue, and it hasn't been. I've always known the closer's job is completely dependent on the starter and the Mike Timlins of the world."

Mix in a little offense and Schilling was in the situation he's been waiting for.

Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo improved to 8-5 with a solid seven-inning outing. The crafty right-hander allowed only two runs on five hits with three strikeouts. He claimed he didn't have his best stuff and credited the defense behind him for the victory.

"Yeah, the defense played unbelievable," he said. "I really didn't have very good stuff tonight, so fortunately (Tampa) hit some ground balls and fly balls. Johnny (Damon) and Billy Mueller played unbelievable behind me and allowed me to pitch a lot easier than I would have. They caught some balls that probably should have been hits."

Not only did the defense help Arroyo, but reliever Mike Timlin and second baseman Alex Cora proved crucial in the top of the eighth inning.

With the Red Sox clinging to a 3-2 lead, the Devil Rays' Carl Crawford led off the eighth inning with a double. He wasn't there for long, however, as Timlin and Cora executed a perfect pick-off to sit down the potential tying run.

"As well as (Schilling) pitched in the ninth," said Francona, "to me the game was won earlier than that. Timlin and Cora having the wherewithal to recognize what's going on out there, that saves us right there."

After that crucial out, Tampa added a pair of singles to no avail. The Sox pushed across a pair of insurance runs in the eighth before Schilling took over in the ninth.

"I'm doing whatever they need me to do," he said. "If they wanted to bring me out in the eight and then close out the ninth, that's fine with me. I'll do what they want me to do in that bullpen until someone else assumes the job and I get back in the rotation. That's where I want to be."

After last night's performance, he may not get his wish.