The Red Sox’ Julio Lugo, left, congratulates David Ortiz on hitting a solo home run against the Tigers in the seventh inning last night.

AP / Paul Sancya

DETROIT — Curt Schilling made 25 tosses from a distance of 60 feet yesterday afternoon at Comerica Park, the first time he had thrown a baseball this spring as he continues to rehabilitate his right shoulder.

The session went well. He will repeat the workout tomorrow.

“He did good. I don’t think anybody was expecting him to not feel OK or we wouldn’t have sent him out there,” said manager Terry Francona.

“It’s a good step for him. I’m sure he’s excited. I think his throwing will help rejuvenate him for the things he has to do,” said Francona, referring to the monotonous nature of the rehabilitation to get to the point to where he could play catch.

The plan is for him to keep playing catch until the medical staff thinks he’s ready to progress to a more aggressive throwing program from longer distances.

Schilling was not around to talk about his workout.

Better late than never

Even though he has struggled for much of the season until recently, David Ortiz has been an outstanding hitter in the late innings all year.

Last night, Ortiz clouted a long home run in the seventh inning. He flied out in the ninth, but the Sox’ designated hitter now is batting a sizzling .342 from the seventh inning on. He is 13-for-38 with 5 homers and 13 RBI, and he also has walked 8 times.

Maybe it takes him a while for his sore right knee to loosen up because over the first six innings in the games this year, Ortiz is only a .174 (15-for-86) hitter with 2 homers and 14 RBI.

Colon rounds into shape

Bartolo Colon (oblique), who threw 19 pitches in an extended spring game and then another 16 pitches in the bullpen on Monday, reported to the Sox yesterday. He’ll throw another side session in a day or so with the Sox and then will be sent out for his rehab assignment to Pawtucket.

Around the bases

The homer for Manny Ramirez was the 497th of his career and first homer in 15 games, since he connected on April 19. … The RBI for Ramirez was the 1,628th of his career, tying him with Harold Baines for 26th on the all-time list. … Ramirez’s homer, a 427-foot blast to dead center, followed a majestic 414-foot homer to right crushed by Ortiz that finished Detroit starter Nate Robertson. … It was the first time the Sox have slugged back-to-back homers this season. … It was the 47th time Ortiz and Ramirez have homered in the same game, and the first time this year. … Mike Timlin pitched the ninth inning. It was only his second outing in 11 days. The appearance was the 1,022nd of his career, tying him with Lee Smith and Jose Mesa for ninth place on the all-time list .

skrasner@projo.com