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Schilling, Ortiz dominate Angels in win

Apr 15, 2007 - 4:05 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- During spring training, Curt Schilling said he wanted performance to dictate his role as the ace of the staff for the Boston Red Sox. So far, so good.

Schilling pitched eight scoreless innings and David Ortiz had four RBI as the Red Sox notched an 8-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Following a rough outing against the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day, Schilling (2-1) has delivered on his words, surrendering only one run over the last 15 innings. He yielded just four hits and a walk and had four strikeouts against the Angels.

"He commanded all of his pitches very well today," Boston catcher Jason Varitek said. "That is always important and he had his pitches working."

"We didn't have too many good looks (at Schilling)," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We hit a couple of balls hard today but all in all, Curt did what he does. He works on the fringe and changes speeds and obviously had success today against us."

The 40-year righthander made his 63rd consecutive start without allowing an unearned run, extending his own major league record. A six-time All-Star, Schilling last allowed an unearned run on June 14, 2004.

"I thought I threw some good ones (changeups) today," Schilling said. "I got a couple of outs with it. If it's not going to be a fastball, it's still got to be a strike when you're behind in the count. That's where the changeup, the curveball, the slider come in. Today, they made a lot of early outs. We knew they'd be aggressive. It's a very aggressive lineup top to bottom but you've got to locate to make that work."

Ortiz, who led the American League in RBI the last two seasons, hit his third homer of the season. With Boston leading, 5-0, in the eighth, the three-time All-Star launched a three-run shot to center off Anaheim reliever Greg Jones to extend the lead to 8-0.

Angels starter Hector Carrasco (0-1) struggled in his 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs - one earned - and two hits with six walks and four strikeouts. Carrasco took the place of Kelvim Escobar, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

"That was as tight a (strike) zone as I have ever seen and we weren't able to make an adjustment and you can't walk nine guys," Scioscia said. "We walked nine guys today and no way can you set the table for a club like that."

The Red Sox scored their first three runs as a result of Anaheim miscues, including their first two in the third inning on Varitek's liner that handcuffed center fielder Gary Matthews Jr.

"I was just being aggressive and it happens," Matthews said. "I feel bad because you cost your pitcher a couple of runs and it would have gotten him out of the inning and it's tough. You know there are going to be good days and bad days. Today wasn't one of the good ones."

"That ball definitely had some knuckle to it," Varitek said. "I was just trying to get a good swing on it and we needed to get those runs in. That was a good feeling."