GaryMrMets
07-11-2004, 02:53 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/9122957.htm
Posted on Sat, Jul. 10, 2004
Schill nixes All-Star turn because of tender ankle
Daily News Wire Services
Curt Schilling will not pitch in next week's All-Star Game because of pain in his ankle.
"My priority is always the organization," Schilling said yesterday after manager Terry Francona announced the decision. "There's always an outside chance something could happen if I pitch that would impact my second half, and I'm not willing to take that chance."
Francona said Schilling (11-4) reached the decision after consulting with the team's medical staff.
"It's probably not what the fans want to hear but it's the right thing to do," Francona said. "I left it completely up to him. I wanted him to make the right choice on his own after speaking with the medical people."
Schilling's ankle was injured early in the season after he was hit by a line drive. He has been getting shots to relieve pain every time he pitches.
If Schilling would have started the All-Star Game he would have received a $50,000 bonus.
Schilling pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on 11 hits in a no-decision against Oakland on Thursday. He didn't allow a walk. It was the 16th time in 18 starts he threw more than 100 pitches. But it was only the second time this season he has given up 10 or more hits in a game.
In another matter, designated hitter Ellis Burks had a second operation to clear out loose tissue in his troublesome right knee.
Noteworthy
• Indians outfielder Alex Escobar has a stress fracture in his right foot and will have season-ending surgery, another setback for the 26-year-old once considered one of baseball's top prospects.
The Indians expect him to be ready for the start of spring training in February.
• The White Sox plan to put designated hitter Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list today because of inflammation in his left ankle. The White Sox just got back fellow slugger Magglio Ordonez, who missed 36 games after tearing cartilage in his left knee.
• The Athletics activated third baseman Eric Chavez, who had been sidelined since breaking his right hand on June 1. The A's also placed infielder Esteban German on the 15-day DL list with a strained side.
In games last night:
• At Boston, Johnny Damon went 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBI, Bronson Arroyo (3-7) allowed three hits in eight innings for his first win since May 15 and the Red Sox blanked the Texas Rangers, 7-0, for their fourth straight win.
• At Toronto, Bartolo Colon (6-8) pitched seven strong innings for his second win in his last 11 starts, and Vladimir Guerrero drove in three runs, leading the Anaheim Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Blue Jays.
• At Baltimore, Mike Sweeney ended Kansas City's club-record streak of 32 scoreless innings with a two-run double in the sixth, and the Royals snapped an eight-game skid by beating the Orioles, 7-0.
• At Chicago, Carlos Lee homered twice and drove in five runs, and Jon Garland (7-7) pitched seven solid innings to lead the White Sox, 6-2, over the Seattle Mariners, who have lost a season-high seven straight games.
• At Cleveland, pinch-hitter Lou Merloni's two-run single capped a three-run ninth inning as the Indians rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics, 5-4. The Indians have beaten the A's four straight times at home this season - all in their final at-bat.
• At Minneapolis, Jason Smith hit two of Detroit's three homers to help the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-3. Carlos Guillen hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the Tigers.
• At New York, Paul Quantrill and Mariano Rivera escaped separate bases-loaded jams - Quantrill in the sixth and Rivera in the ninth - as the Yankees edged Tampa Bay, 5-4.
Posted on Sat, Jul. 10, 2004
Schill nixes All-Star turn because of tender ankle
Daily News Wire Services
Curt Schilling will not pitch in next week's All-Star Game because of pain in his ankle.
"My priority is always the organization," Schilling said yesterday after manager Terry Francona announced the decision. "There's always an outside chance something could happen if I pitch that would impact my second half, and I'm not willing to take that chance."
Francona said Schilling (11-4) reached the decision after consulting with the team's medical staff.
"It's probably not what the fans want to hear but it's the right thing to do," Francona said. "I left it completely up to him. I wanted him to make the right choice on his own after speaking with the medical people."
Schilling's ankle was injured early in the season after he was hit by a line drive. He has been getting shots to relieve pain every time he pitches.
If Schilling would have started the All-Star Game he would have received a $50,000 bonus.
Schilling pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on 11 hits in a no-decision against Oakland on Thursday. He didn't allow a walk. It was the 16th time in 18 starts he threw more than 100 pitches. But it was only the second time this season he has given up 10 or more hits in a game.
In another matter, designated hitter Ellis Burks had a second operation to clear out loose tissue in his troublesome right knee.
Noteworthy
• Indians outfielder Alex Escobar has a stress fracture in his right foot and will have season-ending surgery, another setback for the 26-year-old once considered one of baseball's top prospects.
The Indians expect him to be ready for the start of spring training in February.
• The White Sox plan to put designated hitter Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list today because of inflammation in his left ankle. The White Sox just got back fellow slugger Magglio Ordonez, who missed 36 games after tearing cartilage in his left knee.
• The Athletics activated third baseman Eric Chavez, who had been sidelined since breaking his right hand on June 1. The A's also placed infielder Esteban German on the 15-day DL list with a strained side.
In games last night:
• At Boston, Johnny Damon went 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBI, Bronson Arroyo (3-7) allowed three hits in eight innings for his first win since May 15 and the Red Sox blanked the Texas Rangers, 7-0, for their fourth straight win.
• At Toronto, Bartolo Colon (6-8) pitched seven strong innings for his second win in his last 11 starts, and Vladimir Guerrero drove in three runs, leading the Anaheim Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Blue Jays.
• At Baltimore, Mike Sweeney ended Kansas City's club-record streak of 32 scoreless innings with a two-run double in the sixth, and the Royals snapped an eight-game skid by beating the Orioles, 7-0.
• At Chicago, Carlos Lee homered twice and drove in five runs, and Jon Garland (7-7) pitched seven solid innings to lead the White Sox, 6-2, over the Seattle Mariners, who have lost a season-high seven straight games.
• At Cleveland, pinch-hitter Lou Merloni's two-run single capped a three-run ninth inning as the Indians rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics, 5-4. The Indians have beaten the A's four straight times at home this season - all in their final at-bat.
• At Minneapolis, Jason Smith hit two of Detroit's three homers to help the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-3. Carlos Guillen hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the Tigers.
• At New York, Paul Quantrill and Mariano Rivera escaped separate bases-loaded jams - Quantrill in the sixth and Rivera in the ninth - as the Yankees edged Tampa Bay, 5-4.