Ortiz Homers, Sox Beat Marlins

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ June 17, 2009 at 7:46am ⋅ Post a comment

No one is bold enough to declare that David Ortiz has officially broken out of his season-long slump, but the slugger has strung together a pretty good streak in June. He continued his success Tuesday night, clubbing a solo shot to right and a two-run single as part of a 2-3 day with three RBI in the 8-3 Sox win.

Tim Wakefield, hoping for his first All-Star game appearance, earned his ninth victory with a strong performance. Wake allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings, improving to 6-0 at Fenway Park this season.

Sox Stud of the Game

David Ortiz, DH: Ortiz didn’t hit a home run in the first six weeks of the season, but now has four in his last nine games to give him five for the year. He finished Tuesday 2-3 with a HR, 3 RBI, and walk. Both of his hits came in Boston’s six-run fourth inning.

Sox Dud of the Game

Mike Lowell, 3B: Lowell was the only Sox starter without a hit (0-4). He struck out once and stranded three runners on base.

That’s What He Said

“You think about team goals and things like that,” Terry Francona said of Wakefield’s chances of making the All-Star squad. “But there’s no doubt we’re pulling for him. We’re human, and there’s no getting around that.”

Game Notes

W: Tim Wakefield (9-3)
L: Chris Volstad (4-7)

Wakefield made his 380th start for the Red Sox, just two behind Roger Clemens for most in Red Sox history.
Including Ortiz, five Sox batters finished with two hits (Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Nick Green, George Kottoras).
Jacoby Ellsbury stole two bases, giving him 27 for the year.