Is it just the beginning?

The Curt Schilling-as-closer experiment paid tangible dividends for the Red Sox last night, with the big righthander earning the save as the Sox defeated the Devil Rays, 5-2, at Fenway Park.

It was a simple save for Schilling. He came in with a three-run lead and blew away the bottom of the Devil Rays order, which is as low as an order can get. But it was significant because it was Schilling's first save for the Red Sox, and first since May 3, 1992, a four-inning mop-up for the Philadelphia Phillies. Most important, it helped a team that had lost six of seven to a much-needed victory.

''I enjoyed it, and it's a win," said Schilling. ''Hopefully, I'll save more than that. It felt good, especially because we won. The way we're going right now, we need to play well. We've lost a lead we'd established [in the division] and we've got to get it back."

Schilling missed 69 games with a right ankle injury. He was activated last Wednesday, then came on the next night in the ninth inning of a 6-6 tie with the Yankees but was beaten on a two-run homer by Alex Rodriguez. He then had two scoreless ninth-inning appearances prior to last night, but neither was a save situation. For his career, Schilling has made 116 relief appearances, and is 6-10 with 14 saves.

''I haven't had a physical problem," he said. ''I said when this started that wouldn't be a factor. I know you can't get saves without a top performance from the starter and the middle men. You can't be good unless they're good. To not have to pitch a lot of innings right now has been a blessing. I'm making adjustments as I go. I'm hoping for something that will be consistent.

''I'll do whatever I'm asked. I'll come in in the eighth or the ninth. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do it. I'll close until someone assumes the job, and I can be back in the rotation, which is where I want to be."

Schilling took note of the setup work of Mike Timlin, who pitched an unsettling but scoreless eighth last night, and Alan Embree, who was designated for assignment before the game. Schilling indicated he would miss Embree.

''It affects us personally," he said. ''No one has to tell me that this is a business. People who say it is just a game make me laugh. It affects your life. It affects your family."

Schilling will continue to take the closer's role in stride.

''It's my job right now," he said. ''Whether I look forward to it or not is irrelevant. You make the best of it. When you come in in the eighth or ninth, you can take advantage of a hitter's anxiousness. And it's nice to have four pitches you can throw late in the count."

Manager Terry Francona thinks Schilling's best is yet to come.

''I thought he was very good, don't get me wrong," said Francona. ''I contend the more he pitches, we're going to get closer and closer to seeing Schill, and that's what we want. That doesn't mean he's never going to give up a run. But you're going to know what you're going to get, and teams are going to have to beat him. I don't think that will happen a lot. As well as he pitched the ninth, and he did pitch well, to me, the game was won earlier than that."