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Ortiz ends slump in Red Sox' big win
Source: Agencies |
May 22, 2009, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SLUGGER David Ortiz snapped his career-worst batting slump in emphatic style on Wednesday, belting a two-run homer in a fifth inning blitz that lifted the Boston Red Sox to an 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ortiz clubbed Blue Jays' rookie starter Brett Cecil over the center-field fence to end a string of 149 at-bats without a home run, as the Red Sox piled on six runs in the fifth.
It was a much-needed blast for "Big Papi," who was playing for the second straight night after being benched by manager Terry Francona in three straight contests. The Fenway Park crowd saluted Ortiz's big hit with a curtain call.
"I got that big old monkey off my back, you know?" Ortiz told reporters. "Sometimes that's all it takes, to have one good at-bat and get a big hit and start clicking."
The Red Sox (24-16) rallied around Ortiz in the fifth with homers by Jason Bay, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek, who added a solo shot in the third inning.
It was the first time Boston had hit four homers in an inning since 2007.
"Whether we fed off of (Ortiz), I don't know," Bay said. "It's something to get excited about. It was nice to get out in front early and get out to a lead for the first time in a while."
Boston offseason acquisition Brad Penny enjoyed one of his best starts with his new team, throwing 6 2/3 innings for only two runs in the win - the second for the Red Sox in a three-game set with the AL East-leading Blue Jays.
Toronto (27-16) totalled 14 hits on the night but left 21 runners on base. First baseman Lyle Overbay finished 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Blue Jays added three late runs after trailing 8-0.
Boston dominated 22-year-old left-hander Cecil, who was charged with 11 hits and five home runs before being relieved after 4 2/3 innings.
Abdomen injury
First baseman Kevin Youkilis returned to the lineup with a splash, recording three of the team's 15 hits in his first game back since suffering an abdomen injury on May 5.
In New York, Nick Swisher hit the first of three consecutive homers that sent Phil Hughes and New York to its eighth straight victory, its longest winning streak since last July. The Yankees won 11-4.
Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera also hit solo shots to right field in the second inning against starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-4) - all with two strikes.
Elsewhere in the American League, it was: Tigers 5, Rangers 3; Athletics 7, Rays 6; White Sox 7, Twins 4; Indians 6, Royals 5; and Mariners 1, Angels 0.
In the National League, Dan Uggla homered and drove in four runs to help the Florida Marlins beat Arizona 8-6 in the first game of a doubleheader overshadowed by the death of the wife of Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.
In Arizona, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies found the body of 39-year-old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis on the floor of the master bedroom in the family's home shortly after noon. Schoeneweis left the team to return to Phoenix.
Also, it was: Reds 5, Phillies 1; Braves 12, Rockies 4; Cardinals 2, Cubs 1; Astros 6, Brewers 4; Pirates 2, Nationals 1; Dodgers 2, Mets 1; and Padres 2, Giants 1.
Ortiz clubbed Blue Jays' rookie starter Brett Cecil over the center-field fence to end a string of 149 at-bats without a home run, as the Red Sox piled on six runs in the fifth.
It was a much-needed blast for "Big Papi," who was playing for the second straight night after being benched by manager Terry Francona in three straight contests. The Fenway Park crowd saluted Ortiz's big hit with a curtain call.
"I got that big old monkey off my back, you know?" Ortiz told reporters. "Sometimes that's all it takes, to have one good at-bat and get a big hit and start clicking."
The Red Sox (24-16) rallied around Ortiz in the fifth with homers by Jason Bay, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek, who added a solo shot in the third inning.
It was the first time Boston had hit four homers in an inning since 2007.
"Whether we fed off of (Ortiz), I don't know," Bay said. "It's something to get excited about. It was nice to get out in front early and get out to a lead for the first time in a while."
Boston offseason acquisition Brad Penny enjoyed one of his best starts with his new team, throwing 6 2/3 innings for only two runs in the win - the second for the Red Sox in a three-game set with the AL East-leading Blue Jays.
Toronto (27-16) totalled 14 hits on the night but left 21 runners on base. First baseman Lyle Overbay finished 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Blue Jays added three late runs after trailing 8-0.
Boston dominated 22-year-old left-hander Cecil, who was charged with 11 hits and five home runs before being relieved after 4 2/3 innings.
Abdomen injury
First baseman Kevin Youkilis returned to the lineup with a splash, recording three of the team's 15 hits in his first game back since suffering an abdomen injury on May 5.
In New York, Nick Swisher hit the first of three consecutive homers that sent Phil Hughes and New York to its eighth straight victory, its longest winning streak since last July. The Yankees won 11-4.
Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera also hit solo shots to right field in the second inning against starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-4) - all with two strikes.
Elsewhere in the American League, it was: Tigers 5, Rangers 3; Athletics 7, Rays 6; White Sox 7, Twins 4; Indians 6, Royals 5; and Mariners 1, Angels 0.
In the National League, Dan Uggla homered and drove in four runs to help the Florida Marlins beat Arizona 8-6 in the first game of a doubleheader overshadowed by the death of the wife of Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.
In Arizona, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies found the body of 39-year-old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis on the floor of the master bedroom in the family's home shortly after noon. Schoeneweis left the team to return to Phoenix.
Also, it was: Reds 5, Phillies 1; Braves 12, Rockies 4; Cardinals 2, Cubs 1; Astros 6, Brewers 4; Pirates 2, Nationals 1; Dodgers 2, Mets 1; and Padres 2, Giants 1.
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