Sky’s the Limit for Schilling

Even though he prefers the roof closed at Bank One Ballpark, Curt Schilling pitched sharply into the ninth inning under the stars to become baseball’s first seven-game winner as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated Pittsburgh, 4-3, Wednesday night at Phoenix.

Schilling surrendered a three-run homer to Craig Wilson in the first inning. The Pirates got little off him after that.

Schilling (7-1) struck out nine and gave up six hits. He left after issuing his only walk, to Armando Rios, leading off the ninth.

Over a week ago, Schilling asked that the retractable roof be closed when he pitches because he feels the ball carries farther when it is open. The Diamondbacks agreed, and said Arizona starting pitchers could decide whether to open the roof.

The roof was closed in Schilling’s last start, even though it was 83 degrees outside.

But after the Diamondbacks were bombarded with e-mails and phone calls from angry fans who prefer the roof open, managing general partner Jerry Colangelo met with Schilling before Wednesday’s game, then announced that the new policy had been rescinded.

Byung-Hyun Kim relieved Schilling and got his 10th save.

Danny Bautista, 16 for 33 in the nine-game homestand, tripled and, for the second night in a row, singled in the go-ahead run as the Diamondbacks won for the fifth time in six games.

Philadelphia 5, Houston 3--Pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to give the Phillies a victory over the Astros at Philadelphia.

The Phillies, who lost a club-record 18 games in April, have won five in a row.

Colorado 5, Montreal 0--Todd Helton, Larry Walker and Todd Zeile homered, leading Shawn Chacon and the Rockies at Montreal to extend the Expos’ season-high losing streak to six games.

Chacon (3-4) combined with four relievers on a six-hit shutout. He scattered five hits in six innings before leaving with a strained chest muscle.

Florida 7, San Diego 4--Third baseman Cesar Crespo’s throwing error keyed the Marlins’ four-run rally in the eighth inning and the Marlins won at Miami.

Crespo, who replaced rookie Sean Burroughs at third base to start the inning, threw wide of the plate with the bases loaded, allowing Cliff Floyd and Derrek Lee to score.

Cincinnati 14, Milwaukee 5--Austin Kearns hit a three-run homer and Adam Dunn doubled with the bases loaded to lead the Reds at Cincinnati.

St. Louis 3, Chicago 2--Matt Morris survived a shaky start after yielding Sammy Sosa’s 14th homer, and the Cubs went hitless over the last seven innings as the Cardinals won at Chicago.