Schilling Shows Worth in Arizona Debut

Pennant-race pressure and a bases-loaded jam brought out the best in Curt Schilling on Friday night, and the three-time all-star won his first start for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Schilling punched the air with his fist in jubilation when he struck out Preston Wilson with the bases loaded to end the fifth inning, and the Diamondbacks went on to beat the Florida Marlins, 4-1, at Miami.

The Diamondbacks, who began the game one percentage point behind the San Francisco Giants, regained a half-game lead in the National League West. The Giants beat the Chicago Cubs, 2-0, earlier in the day.

“I saw the Giants won,” said Schilling, acquired Wednesday from the Philadelphia Phillies in a trade he sought. “It’s fun to scoreboard watch. It’s the first time in seven years that I’ve been in a pennant race. I don’t know anything funner than coming to the park with that pressure every day.”

Schilling (7-6) gave up one run and six hits in eight innings. He struck out five, walked two and hit 96 mph at least four times on the radar gun, Manager Buck Showalter said.

Schilling also doubled off the wall in the third inning.

“That will be the highlight no one believes in Philadelphia,” he said.

The veteran right-hander started slowly this season after shoulder surgery, but since June 16 he is 6-2 with a 1.90 earned-run average.

“I think he’s glad this night is over with,” Showalter said. “It’s a very challenging night for him going out there when perfection is expected and people are ready to jump on the bandwagon if you fail. That makes this doubly impressive for me.”

San Francisco 2, Chicago 0--Rich Aurilia hit a two-run homer against Tim Worrell with one out in the ninth inning at Chicago and the Cubs’ longest winning streak of the season ended at six games.

J.T. Snow drew a one-out walk from Worrell (1-2) and Aurilia sent a 2-and-0 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his 11th home run.

Livan Hernandez (10-7), trying for the first shutout of his career, gave up seven hits in 8 2/3 innings, struck out five and walked three.

Cincinnati 8, Montreal 3--Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 14th grand slam and Sean Casey extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games at Montreal.

Elmer Dessens (5-0) won his fourth consecutive start since joining the rotation after the All-Star break as the Reds ended a three-game losing streak.

Griffey, making his first appearance at Olympic Stadium, hit his 32nd homer in the second against Mike Johnson (5-5). It was his second grand slam of the season.

“I just hit home runs,” Griffey said. “Sometimes people are on, sometimes they’re not.”

The grand slam tied Griffey with Gil Hodges and Robin Ventura for ninth on the all-time list.

New York 3, St. Louis 2--Al Leiter ended a three-game losing streak with the win at New York.

It was the Mets’ fourth consecutive victory and their fourth win in a row over the Cardinals, leaders of the National League Central.

Leiter (11-4), held St. Louis hitless over the first five innings, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters and 11 in a row over one stretch. He gave up three hits, struck out eight and walked two in seven innings.

Milwaukee 5, Colorado 0--Jamey Wright pitched seven scoreless innings and Ron Belliard hit a two-run triple for the Brewers at Milwaukee.

“I didn’t know I was going to pitch until 4 or 4:30,” said Wright, who moved up in the rotation when scheduled starter Jason Bere was traded. “But once you get out on the mound, it’s the same thing you’ve been doing since you were 5 years old.”

Wright (6-4) gave up six hits, Ray King pitched the eighth and David Weathers finished the eight-hitter.

Pittsburgh 16, San Diego 5--Aramis Ramirez hit a grand slam and a two-run homer at Pittsburgh in the Pirates’ best offensive game of the season.

Ramirez, who had three homers and 17 runs batted in entering the game, hit the first grand slam of his career in a five-run first inning against Matt Clement (9-10). The Pirates had two five-run innings.

Atlanta 5, Houston 2--Andy Ashby picked up his third straight win for the Braves and fifth in a row overall, pitching five strong innings in a game that didn’t end until shortly after 2 a.m. in Atlanta because of rain.

Originally scheduled for a 7:40 p.m. start, the first pitch was delayed 1 hour 46 minutes by the first storm that moved through Turner Field. In the bottom of the fifth, the showers became so heavy the tarp was brought out again, causing a stoppage of 1:39.