Phils' Schilling Misses Start

Curt Schilling, scheduled to start Tuesday's game for the Phillies against the Florida Marlins, flew home to Philadelphia upon learning that his pregnant wife was hospitalized.

A club spokesman did not give a reason for Shonda Schilling's hospitalization but indicated that it was not simply to give birth. Mrs. Schilling is eight months pregnant.

The couple has a 4-year old son and a 2-year old daughter.

Schilling had arrived at Pro Player Stadium and dressed for the game before learning the news. He left for the airport at 4:45 p.m., about 2 hours, 15 minutes before game time.

The contest was supposed to mark the return to the Philadelphia rotation for Schilling (14-4), who missed a start last Wednesday due to tendinitis in his biceps.

That outing, against the Marlins in Philadelphia, was the first one Schilling missed since coming off the disabled list on May 14, 1996, a string of 117 straight starts.

Chad Ogea started Tuesday night's game in Schilling's place.

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