David Ortiz had one hell of a day on Thursday afternoon. About an hour or so before the game, he finds out that he is on the list of MLB Players that tested positive back in 2003.
Then in the 7th, his 3-run homer off former teammate Craig Breslow put the Boston Red Sox out front for good in an 8-5 win over the Oakland A’s in front of 37,919 at Fenway Park.
After the game, Ortiz issued a statement saying that the report is true and he’s going to get to the bottom of what he tested positive for. He really didn’t have too much to say to the reporters other than once he finds out what he tested positive for, he will hold a press conference with the media.
Jon Lester, who has pitched well as of late, had his one inning troubles again this time. He was roughed up for 4 runs in the 6th inning and saw his pitch count rise tremendously. Lester ended up going 5 2/3 innings, allowing the 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks and had just 2 strikeouts.
Manny Delcarmen allowed a run on 2 hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings while Daniel Bard continues to impress as he struck out 1 in an inning of work. Jonathan Papelbon worked the 9th and allowed just one hit on the way to his 26th save of the season.
Gio Gonzalez shutdown the Red Sox early on after he gave up a run in the 2nd. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 8.
Russ Springer, Mike Wuertz, Breslow and Santiago Casilla combined to give up 5 runs on 5 hits in 2 2/3 innings out of the A’s bullpen.
Ortiz finished with 2 hits (home run, double) and Jason Varitek had a great afternoon at the plate as he was 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs. J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis also added two hits while Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Lowell had the other RBIs.
Ellsbury’s RBI came on a sacrifice fly and he saw his 6-game multi-hit game streak come to an end as he finished with no hits.
Given all of the distractions on Thursday for the Red Sox and having two rough games in a row, it was good to see them comeback and win. Hopefully this builds a little momentum as they head out on a 9-game road trip that starts in Baltimore and stops in Tampa and New York.
John Smoltz looks to rebound from back-t0-back rough outings as he gets the start tomorrow night. He’ll be opposed by Jeremy Guthrie.
