McCarthy better than Schilling in White Sox win

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Rookie Brandon McCarthy pitched seven
shutout innings to get the best of veteran Curt Schilling as
the Chicago White Sox downed the Boston Red Sox 5-3 in American
League play Monday at Fenway Park.

McCarthy (2-1) got the spot start for the White Sox in the
make-up of a game canceled last month due to rain and made the
best of it, allowing just three hits in a stellar effort.

“To get to throw in Fenway Park is just fun throuhout,”
McCarthy said, as he struck out seven and walked one to get the
better of Schilling, who is trying to regain his form after
missing most of the season due to injuries.

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen was full of praise for the
rookie pitcher, who stretched his consecutive scoreless innings
streak to 14 2/3.

“He’s come out and pitched two big games for us,” Guillen
said.

Schilling (5-7), last year’s World Series hero, allowed
four runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking our four and
walking three.

It certainly qualified as a decent start for the veteran
pitcher, but Schilling wasn’t impressed when asked by reporters
after the game if it was at least a moral victory.

“No, it’s September. It’s time to win,” Schilling said. “We
lost.”

The Red Sox lost for just the third time in their last 24
home games in a contest that was originally an off-day Labor
Day holiday for both clubs.

Boston will now have to play on 30 consecutive days and saw
its lead cut in the AL East to three games over New York, while
the White Sox won their fifth straight despite having their
10-game home stand interrupted by the trip to Boston.

Juan Uribe and Paul Konerko both homered for the White Sox,
who had 11 hits. Uribe had three hits, scored twice and drove
in two runs and Konerko also scored twice and had a pair of
hits.

Geoff Blum added a pair of hits for Chicago, including a
triple, and scored a run, as the Sox carried a 5-0 lead into
the bottom of the ninth inning.

With Boston down to its final out, Tony Graffanino belted a
three-run homer off reliever Bobby Jenks.

Boston closer Keith Foulke made just his second appearance
after coming off the disabled list and was impressive, retiring
five of the six batters he faced.

In Oakland, Felix Hernandez pitched seven strong innings as
the Seattle Mariners beat the Athletics 2-0.

Hernandez (3-2) allowed four hits, walking one and striking
out five. Eddie Guardado pitched one inning for his 30th save
as the Mariners handed the A’s a costly loss in their AL wild
card and AL West chase.

Joe Blanton (8-11) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs
on seven hits, walking two and striking out four to take the
loss.

In Minneapolis, Gary Matthews homered as the Texas Rangers
beat the Minnesota Twins 7-0.

Kameron Loe (8-4) pitched eight innings, allowing five
hits, walking one and striking out one for the win.

Carlos Silva (9-7) pitched seven innings, allowing six runs
- one earned – on eight hits, walking one and striking out
three to take the loss.

In Detroit, Jose Hernandez homered and Scott Elarton
pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings as the Cleveland Indians beat the
slumping Tigers 2-0.

In Baltimore, Eric Hinske had three hits and drove in one
run as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Orioles 6-2.