Curt Schilling did not mince words: "This was a game we should not have lost. ... I made every mistake I could make at the wrong possible times. ... It was a pathetic display of pitching all around."
Following along in the SoSH game thread, it sounded like Schilling had decent location most of the time, but lacked his usual velocity and couldn't put hitters away. The pitches he left over the plate -- coming in at only 88-90 -- were belted all over the lot. In the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, he allowed three singles, two doubles, one triple and one home run. Tampa scored five runs in that span, coming back from a 4-1 deficit.
Boston held an early 4-0 lead -- six of their first 10 batters reached base -- and were set to cruise to victory, but the Devil Rays chipped away steadily in the middle innings. The bullpen quartet of Casey Fossum, Seth McClung, Trever Miller and Lance Carter shut Boston down in the final four innings, allowing only one hit, one walk and one HBP (Millar again).
David Ortiz whacked two long solo home runs, measured at 432 and 455 feet. The second one -- the longest homer hit at Tropicana Field -- landed four rows shy of the back wall in right field.
Alan Embree was cool about Eduardo Perez's post-home run reaction. "I know Eddy. It wasn't anything directed at me. I played against him at several levels. He's a good guy." ... Wade Miller's start for Portland (A) was rained out yesterday, so he'll pitch the first game of a doubleheader today.
Johnny Damon on Scott Kazmir: "I think that kid's going to be the next best thing. I still can't believe the Mets traded him. I mean, every scout said, 'This guy's a can't-miss.' He showed it and I don't think he had his good stuff, either. He was still good enough to shut down a good offense like ours."
Good news from the Bronx: The Yankees lost to the Rangers 10-2, falling into last place. Their 7-11 record is their worst start since 1997 -- the last year they did not win the AL East. Brian Cashman: "Right now you feel like you're Pig Pen because you've got the dirt cloud following you."
Jaret Wright left yesterday's game with an injured shoulder and was immediately put him on the disabled list, but that didn't stop Yankee fans from booing him off the field. ... It sounds like Steinbrenner is itching to fire someone. ... Bob Klapisch looks at the 2005 Yankees and is reminded of the 1965 club -- a team that got real old real fast.
Bill Mueller should be back today. ... Bronson Arroyo / Hideo Nomo at 2:15.
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