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Ortiz crushes 420-foot homer |
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Saturday, 19 July 2008 |
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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – David Ortiz’s first two home runs with the PawSox were tailor made for McCoy Stadium.
Translation: they may have escaped McCoy but wouldn’t have the same luck at Fenway Park. The homer the Boston slugger sent into the Toledo bullpen Thursday would have likely been a ground rule double, and it stands to reason that Friday’s blast would have merely scraped the left field scoreboard.
There was nothing cheap about Ortiz’s third round-tripper in three games with the PawSox, which came in the third inning Saturday night in a 13-5 setback to the Mud Hens. If there any lingering doubts Ortiz’s wrist was still giving him trouble, all were erased on the moon shot (estimated at 420 feet) with which he abused the MetLife sign out in right-center.
The blast showed all the signs of a typical Ortiz souvenir deposit. He golfed a 3-1 fastball from Mud Hens starter Chris Lambert. Then, just so show he was satisfied, swirled the bat around his head.
“I knew it was crushed,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “It was very comfortable to watch.”
Johnson repeated himself afterwards with “what you’ve seen these past three days.” When asked if there would be a fourth game at McCoy, Johnson mentioned that Ortiz decided to take Sunday off before shuffling up to Portland.
Other than the rumble of his own creation, Ortiz was quiet. His other three at-bats were relatively unexciting. The first was a foul out that Toledo first baseman Derek Watham struggled mightily with before dropping to one knee.
Ortiz found himself in a similar spot when his fifth-inning turn rolled around. With a crowd of 10,675 anticipating more long ball theatrics, Lambert battled back from a 3-1 count to fan Ortiz on a 84 mph changeup that the DH got a piece of in the dirt.
Ortiz batted once more in the seventh. Facing his first left-hander (Clay Rapada), he was a called out on a check swing that third base umpire Lance Barrett ruled Ortiz didn’t hold up.
Even though Ortiz has provided all sorts of indication that his wrist isn’t troubling him, that doesn’t mean he’s going to cut short his rehab. The plan is for him to play Monday-Wednesday in Portland. Thursday is an off-day for the Red Sox before the Yankees invade Fenway on Friday, which is the day Ortiz will likely be activated.
“I’m too old to rush,” said Ortiz.
One thing Johnson has been closely monitoring is Ortiz’s reaction after swinging and missing. “If there’s something that’s bothering you as far as your arms and legs means you’re going to be restricted in some of your movements,” said the skipper. “The swings David has taken have been pretty vicious. I’ve been watching the body language after the swing, as I would with any big leaguer who comes down to rehab.
“You can tell by a grimace or some type of wincing, but after talking with David (after each at-bat), he feels fine.”
Charlie Zink lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his first post All-Star break start. The Mud Hens victimized the knuckleballer for nine runs on eight hits.
Zink was unable to follow in the footsteps of Edgar Martinez and Devern Hansack, both of whom went seven innings the previous two nights. Instead, Zink, who had won eight straight decisions coming in, lasted all of 12 batters.
Zink saw his ERA rise from 2.22 to 2.83. “Charlie just didn’t have it tonight,” said Johnson.
The knock out punch came from the Mud Hens’ Clete Thomas, who delivered a grand slam off Zink. George Kottaras launched his 18th home run, which tops all International League catchers.
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EXTRA BASES: Missing from the clubhouse on Saturday was Justin Masterson. His locker, which was positioned next to Michael Bowden’s was devoid of a name plate and workout gear. … Kyle Snyder was in town to get examined as his groin injury continues to give him problems. The latest setback came Thursday in Single-A Lowell as Snyder was lifted after throwing 2 1/3 innings. Snyder has been on the DL since June 3. … Today the International League will usher in Ben Mondor, Joe Morgan and Jim Rice as part of the league’s 2008 Hall of Fame class in a pregame ceremony. … David Pauley goes for his 12th win for locals as he’ll be opposed by Toledo’s Chris Lambert (9-5, 3.10 ERA). |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 July 2008 )
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