McCarty’s homer spoils comeback

BOSTON — David McCarty homered in the 12th inning after Andy Dominique’s first major league hit helped rescue the Red Sox following Keith Foulke’s blown save, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 9-7 Sunday.

Curt Schilling had a perfect game for 5 2/3 innings but wound up with a no-decision after Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer off Foulke in a six-run eighth that made it 7-5.

Jason Varitek singled to lead off the bottom half, McCarty doubled and Johnny Damon hit a sacrifice fly off Eddie Guardado. Dominique, in just his third big league at-bat, then looped a pinch-single to right that tied the game.

Foulke and Guardado each pitched a scoreless ninth to send the game into extra innings.

J.J. Putz (0-2) and Anastacio Martinez (2-0) each pitched two scoreless innings before Putz hit Varitek on the right arm with one out in the 12th. McCarty then homered into the green-shirted fans in straightaway center, moving the Red Sox back into the A.L. East lead, a half-game ahead of New York.

Kevin Youkilis had three hits, scored three runs and also reached when he was hit by a pitch. Kevin Millar was 2 for 2 with a walk, and Manny Ramirez drove in two runs for Boston to help stake Schilling to a 3-0 lead.

Foulke had not blown a save since Aug. 14 and had not allowed a run in 15 appearances. But his struggles cost Schilling a win after he retired the first 17 batters.

Randy Winn, who broke up Tim Wakefield’s no-hit bid in the ninth three years ago, singled to end Schilling’s bid for perfection, then Ibanez hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

John Olerud walked in the eighth, Jolbert Cabrera doubled and, one out later, Winn hit a deep drive to right that might have been a three-run homer if Gabe Kapler hadn’t gloved it at the short wall.

Instead, it was a sacrifice fly that made it 5-2. Ichiro Suzuki singled to score another run and chase Schilling, and pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia singled off Alan Embree to bring in Foulke. He gave up a run-scoring single to Edgar Martinez and then Ibanez hit a shot to right that made it 7-5.

Boston got two fluke runs in the sixth when Mark Bellhorn singled, took second on Kevin Youkilis’ single and moved to third when Ramirez walked. Bellhorn scored on Julio Mateo’s wild pitch and Youkilis scored from second when Ron Villone missed Wilson’s throw at the plate and the ball rolled to the pitcher’s mound.

Notes

Winn is 4 for 6 lifetime against Schilling. … Seattle starter Ryan Franklin allowed five runs – four earned – and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. … Pawtucket Red Sox owner Ben Mondor will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Mondor is credited with saving the Pawtucket franchise and keeping its relationship with the Red Sox. … Damon was scratched from the starting lineup due to left knee soreness. He was injured when he took a foul ball off the knee in Boston’s home opener April 9. … 109-year-old Katheryn Gemme, who is believed to be the oldest living Red Sox fan, attended the game. The Chicopee Falls native was greeted by Varitek. … Seattle manager Bob Melvin caught Schilling when both were in Baltimore from 1989-90.