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September 12, 2007
By Kevin McNamara
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON — There is a very distinct sound that is made when a batter makes perfect contact with a pitched ball. It’s a sound often heard at the major-league level, after all these are the best hitters in the world.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has the ability to make a lot of noise with his bat.
His two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Boston a dramatic 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last night at Fenway Park. It was his second home run of the night and Big Papi finished with five RBI.
As Ortiz smoked a 3-1 offering off Devil Rays closer Al Reyes, it ball barely made it over the right-field wall. It was Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair in the World Series, but Ortiz put a lot of body language into it.
“I had no angle and I was too busy blowing on it,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “Actually didn’t know it was a home run when it was a home run. I saw the ball bounce and I thought it hit the wall.”
It didn’t and the homer gave the Red Sox the win and the momentum as the New York Yankees come to town this weekend. For Ortiz, his offensive prowess of late has been very impressive, especially with the absence of Manny Ramirez (strained oblique) in the order. Ortiz has also battled injuries all season, so last night gave Boston just another boost.
“It’s that time of year and your guys know it,” said Francona. “He’s definitely one of those guys. He had good swings all night. He lined out a couple of times and he was seeing the ball very well.”
Even though Ortiz was the hero for the night with his big stick, he wasn’t alone.
That firecracker-type pop that Ortiz has shown, had been a dud with Red Sox’ J.D. Drew of late, but over the last few games the often booed right fielder for Boston has found a spark and it appears his bat is ready to explode. Heading into the stretch run, and a postseason berth within reach for the Red Sox, Drew’s offense needs to be consistent if Boston is to enjoy success.
He went 2-for-2 last night and has now hit safely in five straight games.
text ignored“He’s taking healthy swings,” said Francona. “He’s swinging at strikes and he’s getting the bounces when that ball [in his first at-bat] hit a rock and bounced over first. But, his base running was outstanding [turning a single into a double in his second at-bat].”
Francona has said all along that Drew would come around, now more than ever it appears to be true. His approach exudes more confidence and not only do his hits stand out, but the walks he’s been able to draw are just as important.
text ignoredWhile Drew is on the upswing, Red Sox starter Jon Lester didn’t have his best outing last night.
Entering his ninth start of the season for Boston, the left-hander lasted just 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
text ignoredAlthough his outing was brief, it wasn’t all bad.
Lester struggled in the first inning, allowing four runs on four hits and threw a total of 32 pitches. Even though he was able to settle down the rest of the way, it was the first that did the most damage.
Fortunately for Lester, the Red Sox put a 3-spot on the board in the bottom of the third inning, thanks in part to Ortiz’s three-run homer. It was the slugger’s 30th roundtripper and 100, 101 and 101st RBI of the season as he’s reached the 30-100 plateau for the fifth consecutive year.
The offense on both sides went stale for the final six innings as Tampa held on for the victory. As the Red Sox prepare for a crucial three-game set with the New York Yankees, beginning tomorrow following an off-day for Boston, Drew’s contributions the rest of the way will be a significant component if he’s able to keep it going.
“We’ve said it time and again that if we get J.D. going we’re a different looking ballclub,” said Francona.
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