BOSTON — Curt Schilling threw a 31-pitch, two-inning simulated game yesterday at Fenway Park, an effort that was so encouraging, the Red Sox have slated him to throw a rehab outing in Pawtucket on Saturday against Louisville, barring any unexpected setbacks.

And if that outing goes well, Schilling, a 40-year-old right-hander, will make another rehab start for the PawSox five days later in Toledo, according to manager Terry Francona.

Schilling, on the disabled list since June 22 (retroactive to June 19) because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, will throw three innings and/or around 45 pitches Saturday at McCoy Stadium in a game that will begin at 6 o’clock.

Francona didn’t want to get ahead of himself beyond that point in detailing the Sox’ plan for Schilling, but if Schilling were to need only two rehab starts, that would put him in line to pitch either July 31 or Aug. 1 at Fenway against Baltimore.

Indeed, Schilling, who said his plan to return may be quicker than that of the protective Red Sox, hinted at that very timetable.

“I want to be healthy when I get back. I want to come back and have an impact, be a trading-deadline pickup, in effect,” said Schilling.

The trading deadline is July 31.

While that all has to play out, Schilling said after throwing to Alex Cora, Wily Mo Pena, Eric Hinske and Doug Mirabelli that he felt like a different pitcher relative to the one who made 15 starts before having to be placed on the DL.

“I felt great today. My arm didn’t feel like it did today at any point earlier in the year. I was throwing 84 (miles an hour in his last start on June 19) so obviously there was an issue. Everything is working together better now. I’m more in sync,” said Schilling, who was 6-4 with a 4.20 earned-run average when he was disabled.

Even when he came within an out of a no-hitter in Oakland on June 7, Schilling said he didn’t “feel extraordinary. They hit the ball right at people,” said Schilling, though he was able to dial up his velocity from the mid-80s to the mid-90s over the final few innings of that game, losing the gem on Shannon Stewart’s two-out single to right on a 95-mph heater.

Schilling made two more starts, lasting only five innings against Colorado (June 13) and 4 1/3 against Atlanta (June 18), surrendering a total of 11 earned runs on 19 hits in those 9 1/3 innings before going on the DL.

Francona said he saw a different pitcher yesterday than he had been seeing earlier this year.

“He threw the ball better in the bullpen (Friday) and today than at any point since the moment he arrived in spring training,” said Francona. “He pitched some good games (earlier this season), but he wasn’t bouncing back like we need him to.”

Schilling said the Sox training staff has altered his workout program for shoulder strength and stability, and that the change has brought his arm around “quicker than expected.”

So now Schilling will throw a normal between-starts side session tomorrow and get ready for his Saturday start at Pawtucket.

The tandem strikes

In the last few seasons, getting home runs from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the same game at Fenway was a fairly common occurrence.

Until last night, however, the Sox hadn’t experienced it at all this season. Incredibly, it took 47 games for it to happen.

Ramirez cranked a monster solo blast in the fourth and Ortiz added a two-run shot into the seats in right, just beyond the foul pole, in the sixth.

The pair had homered in the same game four times this year, but all took place on the road. They’ve done it 46 times as Red Sox teammates.

“Manny’s swing tonight — when he hits the ball, that made the ballpark notice that it was a home run,” said Francona. “That’s welcome. David’s ball — when he hits line drives like he’s been hitting, our whole team will be in good shape.”

For Ortiz, it was his second homer in the last three games. For Ramirez, it was his second in the last five games.

Here and there

Julio Lugo extended his hitting streak to six games with an infield single. He’s hitting .500 (11-for-22) in that span. … Dustin Pedroia’s homer was his first since June 15, a span of 23 games and 93 at-bats. His four homers are the most for a Red Sox rookie second baseman since Dave Stapleton had six in 1980. … The Royals announced that Leo Nunez will be tonight’s starter. At Triple-A Omaha, he was 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA. Nunez has 68 relief appearances with the Royals in the last two years, but tonight will mark his first major-league start.

skrasner@projo.com