Chris Gomez Slams Schilling, Red Sox

Curt Schilling took the blame. ``I didn't get the job done,'' the Boston newcomer said. ``I felt good. I felt strong. I just didn't do my job.'' Schilling allowed

Friday, April 23rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Curt Schilling took the blame.

``I didn't get the job done,'' the Boston newcomer said. ``I felt good. I felt strong. I just didn't do my job.''

Schilling allowed Chris Gomez's tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning of the Red Sox's 7-3 loss to Toronto on Thursday night, the Blue Jays' first home victory of the season.

Gomez had an RBI single in the seventh and hit his first career grand slam in the eighth after Carlos Delgado and Eric Hinske singled and Schilling (2-1) walked Orlando Hudson.

``It was exciting. I'm not going to lie,'' Gomez said. ``I try to stay on an even keel, but that was exciting.''

Boston manager Terry Francona had reliever Mark Malaska ready with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, but elected to stay with the 37-year-old Schilling.

``I thought he was fine,'' Francona said. ``Maybe I was wrong. The results weren't very good.''

Schilling allowed seven runs on 13 hits _ one off his career high _ in 7 2-3 innings. He threw 123 pitches.

``I had my chances,'' Schilling said. ``I didn't make pitches.

In other American League games, it was: Cleveland 5, Kansas City 4; Baltimore 7, Tampa Bay 6; Chicago 4, New York 3; Anaheim 7, Texas 5; Minnesota 4, Detroit 3; and Oakland 8, Seattle 2.

The Blue Jays improved to 1-8 at home and snapped a five-game losing streak. At 4-11, they're off to their worst start.

``It's just nice to win a game. I don't care where it is, if it's China or any place,'' manager Carlos Tosca said.

Terry Adams (2-0) pitched two innings for the victory, and Toronto's Howie Clark tied a career high with four hits.

David Ortiz hit a two-run homer for Boston, which will open a three-game series Friday night against New York at Yankee Stadium.

Indians 5, Royals 4

At Cleveland, Omar Vizquel's 2,000th career hit helped set up the Indians' three-run rally in the eighth.

Vizquel became the 230th player to reach 2,000 hits when he singled off Jason Grimsley (1-1). Three batters later, D.J. Carrasco allowed Victor Martinez's winning RBI double.

The Indians got good news when an MRI showed that ace C.C. Sabathia had only irritated a biceps muscle during pregame warmups. He was pulled from what would have been his 100th career start.

Rafael Betancourt (1-2) pitched one inning, and David Riske worked the ninth for his second save.

Orioles 7, Devil Rays 6

At Baltimore, Rafael Palmeiro hit a long overdue homer at Camden Yards, and Miguel Tejada had a season-high three RBIs, leading the Orioles to a comeback victory.

Palmeiro brought Baltimore to 6-5 by leading off the sixth with his second home run of the season. It was his 102nd homer at Camden Yards, the most by any player, but his first since May 23, 1999, when he played for Texas.

Robert Fick homered for the Devils Rays.

John Parrish (1-0) retired all six batters he faced to earn his second major league victory, and Jorge Julio got three outs for his second save. Chad Gaudin (0-1) was the loser.

White Sox 4, Yankees 3

At Chicago, Joe Crede homered and the White Sox sent Mike Mussina to his fourth loss in five starts.

Mussina (1-4) gave up three first-inning runs and then settled down before Crede _ hitting just .184 entering the game _ lifted his second homer to left in the sixth to make it 4-2.

Mussina gave up nine hits in the eight-inning outing, his longest of the season.

Scott Schoeneweis (2-0) allowed four hits in 6 2-3 innings to help the White Sox avert a three-game sweep. Damaso Marte pitched the ninth for his second save.

Angels 7, Rangers 5

At Anaheim, Calif., Troy Glaus hit a three-run homer to help the Angels end a three-game losing streak.

Glaus gave Anaheim a 3-0 lead in the first with a line drive into the left-field bullpen. Jeff DaVanon also homered, Bartolo Colon (3-1) allowed three runs and five hits in five innings, and Troy Percival pitched the ninth for his third save.

David Dellucci had his first career two-homer game for the Rangers. Chan Ho Park (1-3) was the loser.

Twins 4, Tigers 3

At Minneapolis, Lew Ford hit a three-run homer, and Johan Santana picked up his first victory of the year for the Twins.

Ford, riding an eight-game hitting streak, has a team-high 15 RBIs since being called up to replace injured outfielder Torii Hunter on April 10.

Santana (1-0) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, and Joe Nathan got the save. Mike Maroth (2-1) was the loser.

Athletics 8, Mariners 2

At Seattle, Eric Chavez hit a three-run homer, and Mark Mulder (2-1) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings for Oakland.

Mark Kotsay led off the game with a double to the right-field corner, Eric Byrnes singled and Chavez drove a 1-2 pitch from Jamie Moyer (1-2) over the right-field wall.