Big Papi leads the Sox to 7-2 victory
Final Score: Boston Red Sox 7, Tampa Bay Rays 2
A week into his comeback from a long layoff, David Ortiz looks like his old self.
He missed 71 of last year’s final 72 games and most of the first three weeks this season because of a heel injury.
With Ortiz leading the offense, the Red Sox (15-7) scored four runs in the first inning and surged to a 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros (7-15), leaving right-hander Clay Buchholz as the majors’ first five-game winner this season.
Highlights:
- Boston has won 10 of its last 13 and taken the first eight series openers of a season for the first time in team history.
- The low-budget Astros, new members of the American League, are at Fenway this week for the first time since 2003. Before the game, several of their young players were on the field early snapping photographs of the Green Monster like they were eager tourists fresh off the plane.
- Ortiz’s 3rd inning home run off Philip Humber traveled 439 feet, his longest home run at Fenway Park since September 27, 2007.
Players of the Game:
- David Ortiz was 3 for 4 with his first home run of the year, two runs batted in, and three runs in support of Buchholz. He is 11 of 20 with four extra-base hits and five RBIs in five games since being activated.
- Clay Buchholz (5-0) allowed two runs on six hits over 7⅔ innings for the win. He walked two and struck out 10. Buchholz is the first pitcher in the majors to get to five victories. Buchholz has pitched at least seven innings in each of his five starts and has yet to allow more than two earned runs in a game.
Quote of the Game:
“It’s remarkable the timing that he’s displayed, particularly after the layoff that he’s had,” manager John Farrell said of Ortiz. “Even guys in the dugout are kind of marveling at what he’s been able to do. Not only contact, but driving the baseball.”
Looking Ahead:
The Red Sox will continue to host the Houston Astros at Fenway Park for the remainder of the weekend. They will play today and tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Head over to Fenway to catch the game or watch on NESN!
