Byrd Soaring for Philadelphia

Paul Byrd is getting tired of carrying the Philadelphia Phillies’ pitching staff.

Byrd, making a strong case to go from waiver-wire pickup to all-star, had a career-high nine strikeouts and passed Curt Schilling with his team-leading ninth victory Saturday night as the Phillies beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2.

“Byrd went on TV the other day, and he said if we don’t get a better No. 2 starter he’s going to demand a trade,” Phillie Manager Terry Francona said. “It’s funny, but the point is he’s pitching well.”

That’s an understatement. Byrd (9-3) won for the seventh time in eight starts, becoming the de facto ace of the Phillies’ staff with Schilling struggling in his last few starts. He gave up one run and four hits in eight innings, following his victory over the New York Yankees with another impressive outing. He walked one and hit a batter.

“I’m coming after the big boy!” Byrd joked, referring to Schilling. “He pulls for me more than anyone. He’s always pumping his fist at me and saying, ‘Let’s go.’ ”

Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu and Marlon Anderson homered for the Phillies, who have won five of six and trail the division-leading Atlanta Braves by 4 1/2 games in the National League East.