BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox should save some runs for
a pitcher who could use them, because Curt Schilling clearly
doesn't need much help right now.
Schilling logged six tremendous innings to become the American
League's first four-game winner as the Red Sox pounded the
shorthanded Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 9-1.
Despite missing parts of last season while recovering from right
ankle surgery, Schilling (4-0) has been dominant this season.
The six-time All-Star surrendered one run, six hits and one walk
while striking out seven. He has yielded a total of just five
earned runs over his first four outings, posting an 1.61 ERA.
Kevin Youkilis opened the bottom of the first inning with his
first homer of the season and finished with three hits and two
RBIs. Youkilis has been red-hot of late, going 7-for-12 with
five runs scored and four RBIs over his last three games.
Mark Loretta, Trot Nixon and Mike Lowell each added two hits for
the Red Sox, who erupted for seven runs in the third to pull
away.
Joey Gathright had two hits and drove in the lone run for Tampa
Bay, which committed four errors and has lost the first three
games of its four-game set with Boston.
The Devil Rays were without four regular starters, including
leadoff man Carl Crawford, who was sidelined with an injured
right shoulder.