I Bet Papi Got His First Good Night's Sleep In Weeks

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You can breathe a little bit easier, Red Sox Nation. David Ortiz finally hit a baseball over the fence, the first time he has done so in a season that has had just about everyone (myself included, on several occasions) questioning his status among the league's elite hitters. While he still has a long, LONG way to go to get back to where he used to be, it's certainly a step in the right direction for Ortiz, and you could feel the weight lifting off of his broad shoulders as he rounded the bases at Fenway Park last night. After receiving the "silent treatment" from his teammates, which is usually reserved for rookies after their first Big League round tripper, the rest of the Red Sox then celebrated with Ortiz before he stepped out of the dugout to tip his cap to the crowd. Here's to hoping Papi can now relax at the plate, and start to really heat up along with the weather.

Ortiz wasn't the only member of Boston's lineup to homer in an explosive fifth inning. Jason Varitek, Jason Bay and Mike Lowell all joined in the fun, with Lowell's shot putting the score out of reach, 8-0. The Red Sox would go on to win, by a final score of 8-3. The fifth inning blast was Varitek's second of the night, as he hit a line shot into the first row of the monster seats in the third, giving the home team their first run of the ball game. Kevin Youkilis made a triumphant return from the disabled list, going 3-for-5 on the night with a run scored and pushing his batting average to .404 on the year. Jacoby Ellsbury also contributed both offensively and defensively. The young speedster extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a bunt single in the third inning, and also tied a Major League record with 12 putouts in a nine inning game. The feat had been accomplished twice previously.

Brad Penny pitched fairly well, giving up just two earned runs while scattering nine hits over 6.2 innings pitched, lowering his ERA to 6.07. The big right hander is now 4-1 on the year.

The Red Sox now sit just 1.5 games behind the division leading Blue Jays as they go for the sweep tonight. Jon Lester (2-4, 6.51 ERA) takes the mound for Boston, against Toronto's first year starter Robert Ray (1-1, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is at 7:10 from Fenway Park in Boston.