01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, June 29, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Editor

BOSTON -- Curt Schilling will be facing the Mets' hitters tonight, not New York's 11-game winner, veteran left-hander Tom Glavine.

But it's yet another quality pitching matchup for the Red Sox' veteran ace right-hander. And, said manager Terry Francona, Schilling feeds off such matchups, bringing out the best in him.

Schilling is 9-2, and that includes impressive outings in four recent matchups against ace-type starters Kenny Rogers (Tigers), Johan Santana (Twins), John Smoltz (Atlanta) and Brett Myers (Phillies).

Schilling allowed a total of eight runs in those four outings, but did not receive a decision in any of them.

"He knows who he's facing, and he's always trying to do better (than the other team's ace)," said Francona. "He respects them. He knows how great the opposition is, but he looks to be better. That's a very good feeling when a guy like that wears your uniform. You know the opposing pitcher is great, but you still feel like you can win."

Taking no chances

Jon Lester's next start will be Sunday in Miami against the Marlins.

But don't expect the rookie left-hander's pitch count to soar well into the 100s, as it did Tuesday night in his 9-4 win against the Mets that ran his record to 3-0.

Lester threw 116 pitches, a whopping total for a guy the Sox' management was protecting so carefully when he began the season in Pawtucket, limiting his pitch count to 60 early in the season, which happens to be only three months ago.

Prior to Monday's start, in which he lasted only five innings, Lester's high for a pitch total this season was 107 -- his total in his previous start.

"In his next outing I might have to take him out quicker than he wants. We value him highly," said Francona.

Around the bases

Catcher Jason Varitek delivered a run-scoring hit in the first inning for the second game in a row. Varitek, who smacked a two-run single Tuesday night, was in a 1-for-14 slide. . . . Mark Loretta's latest hitting streak reached 11 games on his first-inning single. . . . Alex Gonzalez's two-run homer in the third extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games. He has hit in 13 of his last 14. . . . Pedro Martinez was charged with six earned runs in his three innings, the most he had given up since having been raked for eight earned runs in five innings in a Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 19, 2004. . . . Josh Beckett was nicked for two more homers last night, boosting his total to 20, two shy of league leader Scott Elarton (Royals) . . . Manny Ramirez has had one double in six of the eight games on the homestand, increasing his season total to 12. . . . Matt Clement (shoulder) had an encouraging 30-pitch side session on Tuesday. He likely will throw another bullpen session Friday in Miami. . . . Wily Mo Pena (left hand) will begin his rehab assignment in Lowell tomorrow and Saturday before joining Pawtucket on Sunday, and then going on the road with the PawSox. . . . How big was last night's game, with Martinez returning with the Mets to face his former team? New York's mascot, Mr. Met, was in the house, saluting Martinez as he walked to his team's dugout after warming up in the bullpen for the start of the game. . . . The Sox signed right-hander Caleb Clay of Cullman (Ala.) High School, the 44th player selected in the draft. He was a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. Boston also signed seventh-round selection Kristopher Negron, a shortstop at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif. . . . The Sox pitchers chipped in and bought bullpen catcher Jason Larocque a new Ford F-250 pickup to replace his 1994 truck, which recently suffered major front-end damage. The gift was presented to Larocque after Tuesday night's game, the gesture moving Larocque almost to tears.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340