PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – For the second time in two nights, David Ortiz gave the fans what they came to see: a home run.
The Boston Red Sox slugger, recovering from a wrist injury with a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket, came to bat in the fifth inning Friday night with his team leading Toledo 3-1 and runners on second and third and two outs.
Anastacio Martinez tried to slip a 1-1 fastball by Ortiz on the outside corner but he belted a three-run homer to left to give Pawtucket a 6-1 lead.
Ortiz’s leadoff homer in the fourth inning on Thursday started a seven-run outburst as Pawtucket went on to beat Toledo 15-6.
“I feel good, but the most important thing is my (left) hand is feeling good,” said the designated hitter, who has been sidelined since May 30 because of a partially torn tendon sheath in his wrist. “I’m the kind of guy that has to use the whole field. They never approach me the same way so I’ve got to make sure I cover most of the plate.”
Ortiz was working on taking pitches the other way during batting practice.
“Normally when I’m hitting, my game plan is to use the whole field,” Ortiz said. “You’ve got to work on that in batting practice, obviously, so you can have it when you’re in the game. Everybody knows that I’m the kind of the guy that everybody tries to get me out away, so I’ve got to work on that.”
Ortiz popped out to third in his first at-bat.
After drawing a leadoff walk in the fourth, he scored on a two-run homer by Chris Carter.
Ortiz walked with one out in the seventh and was replaced by pinch-runner Sandy Madera.
The game was called in the bottom of the seventh after a 45-minute rain delay.
Ortiz said he plans to finish his four-game stint with Pawtucket and then play three games at Double-A Portland next week. He is expected to return to the Red Sox for the home series with the Yankees on July 25.
“I’m feeling good but I’m going to take my time,” he said. “It’s only been a few days and I haven’t played in the past six weeks. I’ve got to make sure I’m fine. Besides, I’m too old to rush it.”
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