Curt Schilling had a rehab start with AAA Pawtcuket on Saturday and was very effective.  He did not surrender a run and struck out 6 in 3 innings of work.  Schilling's velocity was good and he only allowed 2 hits.

Random Note:  One of Schilling's strikeout victims was former teammate Mark Bellhorn, who was a key member of the 2004 World Championship team.  He went down on just three pitches.

For more on the rehab start and to see quotes from Schilling himself, click HERE to read the AP report on ESPN.

This is very good news as the Sox can use Schilling back in the rotation over Tavarez.  Schilling's presence alone will help the Sox in their journey towards October.  The Sox do need him to be effective, however, as he will make a scary 3-some with Matsuzaka and Beckett. 

As far as Bellhorn is concerned, I'll always love him for 2 huge HR in 2004 that are usually overlooked:

ALCS GAME 6: He hit the 3-run HR which led to controversy in the Bronx, because it was questionable at first if it had actually gone over the wall.  It did and the Sox held on for the 4-2 victory.

WORLD SERIES GAME 1:  Bellhorn hit a huge 2-run HR in the 8th inning of a 9-9 game to give the Sox the lead and eventually the 11-9 victory over the Cardinals.

(He also hit a HR in game 7 of the ALCS; thus he homered in 3 straight playoff games in 04.)

O, what a wonderful season that was.  It never gets old remembering it.  Anyways, hurry back Schilling and hopefully the Sox can start to get hot again.