Schilling starts strong, gets no-decision

BOSTON (AP) -- Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke came to Boston during the offseason with much fanfare. As for Andy Dominique, David McCarty, Kevin Youkilis and Anastacio Martinez, not much was expected of them at all.

"We've shown we have depth," Schilling said after Dominique tied the game with his first major league hit and McCarty homered in the 12th inning Sunday to give the Red Sox a 9-7 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

"Everyone that's been called on to answer the bell at one time or another has done it," Schilling said.

Schilling had a perfect game for 5 2-3 innings but wound up with a no-decision after Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer off Keith Foulke in a six-run eighth that made it 7-5. It was the first blown save since Aug. 14 for Foulke, who had not allowed a run in 15 appearances. Ibanez had been 0-for-14 off Foulke in his career.

Jason Varitek singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth, McCarty doubled and Johnny Damon hit a sacrifice fly off Eddie Guardado. Dominique, in just his third big league at-bat, then looped a pinch-single to right that tied the game.

"The younger guys are doing it against all odds and in place of All-Stars," Damon said.

Foulke and Guardado each pitched a scoreless ninth to send the game into extra innings.

J.J. Putz (0-2) and Martinez (2-0) each pitched two scoreless innings before Putz hit Varitek on the right arm with one out in the 12th. McCarty then homered on a 3-0 pitch into the green-shirted fans in straightaway center, moving the Red Sox back into the AL East lead, a half-game ahead of New York.

Youkilis had three hits, scored three runs and also reached when he was hit by a pitch. Because of injuries to stalwarts such as Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon and Bill Mueller, the Red Sox started five players who aren't regulars.

Dominique and Martinez were called up from the minors during the homestand, and Youkilis earlier in the month.

"I'm not putting anybody down, but that was a team we ran out there a lot at the end of (spring training) games," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "That says a lot for the guys we have. They put a Red Sox uniform on and they expect to win. So do we."

Kevin Millar was 2-for-2 with a walk, and Manny Ramirez drove in two runs to help stake Schilling to a 3-0 lead. Randy Winn, who broke up Tim Wakefield's no-hit bid in the ninth three years ago, singled to end Schilling's bid for perfection, then Ibanez hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

"We were looking at a perfect game, then all of the sudden we have the lead off their closer, who's given up one run all year," Mariners manager Bob Melvin said. "I felt like we were in pretty good position."

John Olerud walked in the eighth, Jolbert Cabrera doubled and, one out later, Winn hit a deep drive to right that might have been a three-run homer if Gabe Kapler hadn't gloved it at the short wall.

Instead, it was a sacrifice fly that made it 5-2. Ichiro Suzuki singled to score another run and chase Schilling, and pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia singled off Alan Embree to bring in Foulke. He gave up a run-scoring single to Edgar Martinez and then Ibanez hit a shot to right that made it 7-5.

Boston got two fluke runs in the sixth when Mark Bellhorn singled, took second on Youkilis' single and moved to third when Ramirez walked. Bellhorn scored on Julio Mateo's wild pitch and Youkilis scored from second when Ron Villone missed Wilson's throw at the plate and the ball rolled into the middle of the infield.

Game notes
Winn is 4-for-6 lifetime against Schilling. ... Seattle starter Ryan Franklin allowed five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. ... Pawtucket Red Sox owner Ben Mondor will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Mondor is credited with saving the Pawtucket franchise and keeping its relationship with the Red Sox. ... Damon was scratched from the starting lineup due to left knee soreness. Damon was injured when he took a foul ball off the knee in Boston's home opener April 9. ... 109-year-old Katheryn Gemme, who is believed to be the oldest living Red Sox fan, attended the game. The Chicopee Falls native was greeted by Varitek. ... Seattle manager Bob Melvin caught Schilling when both were in Baltimore in 1989 and 1990.