Curt Schilling struggled with the heat, the wind and the Twins during his first spring training appearance against a major league team Friday.
The Boston Red Sox ace allowed three runs and five hits in 3 2-3 innings during Minnesota's 5-1 victory in Fort Myers, Florida. He said he "pitched very poorly" in a game he had anticipated for some time -- his first since the World Series.
"This has been a day I've been looking forward to since November and I was a little spent this morning getting ready for this game," said Schilling, who underwent ankle surgery in November but said his arm and ankle feel fine.
He's expected to make one more spring appearance in a minor league game, then go on the disabled list and pitch April 7 for minor league team Triple-A Pawtucket at Indianapolis. His only other exhibition action came last Monday when he threw three innings in a minor league game.
On Friday, he allowed homers on consecutive pitches to Jacque Jones and Michael Restovich in the fourth. Schilling threw 66 pitches, 40 for strikes, and left to a standing ovation with two outs in the fourth. He tipped his cap to fans in both the left-field and right-field stands.
"If it wasn't 4,000 degrees, I probably could have stayed in and thrown a little bit more. I certainly didn't feel like I was tired from pitching," he said.
Pedro Martinez never even made it to the mound Friday night for the New York Mets, scratched from his scheduled start against the Marlins in Jupiter, Florida, because of a stiff lower back.
The three-time Cy Young pitching award winner went to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative. He plans to return to the mound next Tuesday or Wednesday and still expects to be ready to pitch on opening day April 4 in Cincinnati.
"It's a matter of one or two more days and I'll feel better. I'm feeling a lot better already," Martinez said at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie. "Right now, we just don't want to take any chances on making it worse or being in jeopardy for opening day. Opening day, without a doubt, if I play it careful right now, it's going to be there for me."
The 33-year-old right-hander has had trouble with his shoulder before, but his back has never been a problem.
Martinez, who has looked sharp all spring, thinks he might have pushed himself too hard after his last start, a five-inning effort against Los Angeles last Sunday.
His back began bothering him when he worked out Tuesday, and he felt stiffness during his side session Wednesday. But Martinez and the Mets said they are not concerned.
"I'm just being cautious. To me, it's not a big deal. I'm just getting my guys healthy and ready for the season,'' rookie manager Willie Randolph said.
Martinez teamed up with Schilling to lead Boston to its first World Series title in 86 years last season, then left the Red Sox for a US$53 million, four-year contract with the Mets.
Phillies 6, Yankees 5, 10 innings
At Clearwater, Florida, Carl Pavano had another solid outing for New York and Derek Jeter homered in his first start at shortstop in a week. The Yankees also released Doug Glanville.
Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer off former Philadelphia reliever Felix Rodriguez. Phillies No. 1 starter Jon Lieber struggled in his first outing against his former team.
Tigers (ss) 4, Cardinals (ss) 4
At Jupiter, Florida, Chris Carpenter pitched five solid innings for St. Louis, but gave up a three-run homer to Magglio Ordonez.
Blue Jays 7, Braves 2
At Dunedin, Florida, Frank Catalanotto drove in five runs and Roy Halladay got his first win of the spring.
Orioles 5, Nationals 1,
6 innings, rain
At Viera, Florida, Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez homered, and Rodrigo Lopez pitched five shutout innings to lead Baltimore. Jose Guillen homered for Washington off Steve Kline.
Pirates 6, Devil Rays 2
At St. Petersburg, Florida, Oliver Perez had an impressive outing, and All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson got three hits for Pittsburgh.
Dodgers 6, Cardinals (ss) 4
At Vero Beach, Florida, catcher Jason Phillips got his first hits and drove in his first run since being traded to Los Angeles last weekend. Dodgers closer Eric Gagne pitched his third inning of the spring, facing four batters and striking out two while blanking the Cardinals in the eighth.
Angels 6, Cubs 4
At Mesa, Arizona, injured ace Kerry Wood threw a simulated game before Chicago's loss. Wood, recovering from bursitis in his right shoulder, threw 63 pitches in four-plus innings on a back field at the Cubs' spring training complex.
Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano gave up three runs, his first of the spring after pitching 15 scoreless innings. At the plate, he hit a home run. Derrek Lee also connected for the Cubs off starter Kelvim Escobar. Darin Erstad homered and drove in two runs for the Angels.
Royals 5, Mariners 2
At Peoria, Arizona, Brian Anderson pitched one-hit ball over four innings for Kansas City. Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki tripled in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, tying a franchise record for spring training set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989.
Rockies 5, Giants 1
At Tucson, Arizona, Joe Kennedy allowed only one run in six innings, outpitching San Francisco ace Jason Schmidt, who gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in five innings.
Brewers 11, White Sox 0
At Tucson, Arizona, Dave Krynzel went 4-for-4 with a home run to lead Milwaukee, which had 16 hits.
Marlins 7, Mets 4
At Jupiter, Florida, the Marlins took advantage of Martinez's absence by scoring five runs in the first three innings off minor leaguer Yusmeiro Petit, including a three-run double by Carlos Delgado. Florida starter Ismael Valdez allowed four runs and six hits in four innings.
Padres 6, Athletics 1
At Phoenix, Woody Williams allowed one run over six innings for San Diego.
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