Embree gone; Graffanino, Hyzdu arriving. F5
Schilling pitched back-to-back days and said he could go a third today if needed (today's series finale is at 1 p.m.). Although Epstein did not know when Schilling would be ''stretched out," for the time being the Sox will take a closer who can ''slam the door," as Kevin Millar put it.
''The more he pitches, we're going to get closer and closer to seeing Schill, and that's what we want," said Sox manager Terry Francona, whose team vaulted back into first place after the Yankees were beaten by the Rangers, 2-1.
On an emotional day when Sox players said goodbye to bullpen mainstay Alan Embree, who was designated for assignment, the Sox seemed to be buoyed by two popular players returning to the clubhouse in Gabe Kapler, who will begin his rehabilitation assignment in Lowell tonight, and outfielder Adam Hyzdu, who was acquired for pitcher Scott Cassidy. Hyzdu, who was with Triple A Portland (Ore.), traveled 8 1/2 hours to make it in time for the game and was a defensive replacement in right field.
''First of all Bronson [Arroyo] is an outstanding human being and a very good pitcher who was outstanding for us tonight," said center fielder Johnny Damon. ''It was also exciting for us to get a couple of guys back in here like Gabe and Adam. It felt like they never left and I think that really helped us stay loose before the game."
Millar didn't think the moves acted as a kick in the pants.
''We don't need a kick in the pants," Millar said. ''We went through a tough slide, losing nine out of 13 here and now we're back on the right track. Bronson pitched great and gave us a big boost and [Mike] Timlin and Schilling did a great job out of the pen to close it out."
While Schilling got his first save since May 3, 1992 in a mop-up role for the Phillies, Timlin might have had the play of the game. After he allowed a leadoff double to Carl Crawford in the eighth inning, he worked out a perfect timing play with second baseman Alex Cora to pick off the speedy Crawford.
