Notebook: Schilling regrets late shake-off
Maybe the next time a Boston pitcher takes a no-hit bid into the ninth inning, he’ll listen to catcher Jason Varitek.
Curt Schilling came within one out of his first career no-hitter Thursday, losing his bid when Shannon Stewart lined a clean single to right field after Schilling shook off his catcher. Schilling finished with a one-hitter as the Red Sox beat Oakland 1-0.
“We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off,” Schilling said. “And I get a big ‘What if?’ for the rest of my life.”
It was not the first time a Boston pitcher shook off Varitek in the ninth inning only to see a no-hitter get broken up. Pedro Martinez did it Aug. 29, 2000, against Tampa Bay, giving up a single to John Flaherty on a fastball instead of the curve Varitek called for.
Schilling said he called off Varitek between five and 10 times, saying it “was one time too many.”
“Hindsight is always 20-20,” Varitek said.
Chavez lands on DL
The banged-up New York Mets placed outfielder Endy Chavez on the disabled list with a pulled left hamstring and activated second baseman Jose Valentin, who had been out since April.
Cards add to bullpen
The St. Louis Cardinals added a seventh arm to the bullpen, helping compensate for a rotation that includes four relievers not accustomed to going deep into games.
Right-hander Andy Cavazos was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. Cavazos was 1-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 23 games with 28 strikeouts in 25 innings in the minors this year.
Clearing the bases
Washington Nationals second baseman Felipe Lopez was removed from a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh by manager Manny Acta for not running out a ground ball to second base in the fifth inning. … Atlanta’s John Smoltz said his ailing right shoulder was doing well but that his status for Sunday’s game against Chicago won’t be determined before he throws in the bullpen on Saturday. … Russ Ortiz landed on the disabled list, the second stint this year for the San Francisco right-hander. … Barry Bonds returned to the Giants’ starting lineup after sitting out two games with shin splints.