SAN DIEGO, 19 July 2003 — Curt Schilling pitched seven strong innings to win for the first time since coming off the disabled list and propel the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 9-1 rout of the San Diego Padres in the National League on Thursday.
Schilling (5-4) allowed one unearned run on eight hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. He was out for six weeks after a line drive by San Diego’s Sean Burroughs struck him on the back of the right hand May 30, breaking two bones. He lost his first start back last Saturday, 8-1 to San Francisco. But Schilling looked sharp this time as the Diamondbacks staked him to a 3-0 first-inning lead.
Brewers 7 Pirates 5
In Pittsburgh, John Vander Wal crunched a grand slam in the second inning to help the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-5 win over the Pirates.
Astros 5 Reds 4
In Cincinnati, Geoff Blum grabbed a two-run single in the second inning to give the Houston Astros a 5-4 triumph over the Reds.
Braves 3 Mets 2
In Atlanta, Mark DeRosa brought in the winning run with an infield single in the ninth inning to give the Braves a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets.
Phillies 5 Expos 2 (11 innings)
In Philadelphia, Marlon Byrd had four hits and capped the game with a three-run homer in the 11th inning to hand the Phillies a 5-2 win over the Montreal Expos. Dan Plesac (2-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the win after starter Kevin Millwood allowed two runs and eight hits in seven innings.
