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Schilling done

KANSAS CITY - Curt Schilling is all done after four innings in what will go down as his worst Opening Day start. He allowed five runs, eight hits, and two walks.

He was replaced by lefty sidewinder Javier Lopez.

After a 1-2-3 third inning, things turned ugly for Schilling, who threw 89 pitches and never seemed comfortable.

The Royals opened up a 5-1 lead with three runs in the fourth including a two-run one-hop double off the right-field wall by Mark Grudzielanek, his third hit of the game.

It didn't help that Schilling allowed a one-out double to catcher John Buck, or that he walked No. 9 hitter Tony Pena Jr. He threw Grudzielanek a fastball over the middle of the plate and good Grudzy hammered it. Mark Teahen followed with a single to center, accounting for the fifth KC run.

It was Schilling's shortest outing since April 26, 1997 vs. the Cincinnati when he also went four innings.