"If You Want Economy, You Have to Pay for It"

Curt Schilling has treated Sox fans to a metamorphosis of sorts this year. And while it hasn't always been pretty, the power pitcher continues to work on his conversion to a more complete, partially reinvented version...Schilling 1.1

Schilling has always thrown strikes as a mature pitcher, and he has traded strikeouts for balls in play, adding a changeup to his formidable repertoire. My college coach, Loyal Park, emphasized the use of the changeup to make people hit the ball, not miss it. "It's just that simple."

Schilling went seven innings tonight with an economical 90 pitches, followed capably by the subcompact Hideki Okajima with two strikeouts and the truck, Brendan Donnelly who also retired three straight.

As usual, Oriole Park held a lusty contingent of Bosox Boosters who enjoyed watching the Sox return to competence and winning. Alex Cora (.368) had a pair of hits at a homer, while Kevin Youkilis (3 hits) and Big Papi (2 and a key RBI) also added multihit games.

Schilling works in a contract year, with a lifetime of preparation and experience, and he puts forth his bid for a 2008 contract. Money in the bank for 38 I'd say.

The Pawsox and SeaDogs both were rained out. Mike Rozier and Lancaster have deuces wild, tied up 2-2 in the 2nd, and Greenville is idle. The immediate news we await is Jon Lester's performance at the Triple A level for a pair of rehab starts, while Jacoby Ellsbury has been burning up Double A so far this season. Rumor has it that Coco Crisp is headed for the DL, although I don't think we're dealing with the Wally Pipp story here.