David Ortiz powers Red Sox past Astros
Aug 16, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter
David Ortiz(left) celebrates with left fielder
Yoenis Cespedes(right) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
The Red Sox took on the Houston Astros at Fenway on Saturday night to try and turn the series around. David Ortiz helped them do just that on an evening of historic proportions.
Rubby De La Rosa started the game for the Red Sox. He pitched for four innings and gave up six earned runs, at least a run in each inning. He walked four and struck out only two. Alex Wilson came into the game in the fifth inning and managed to get the first clean frame for the Sox. He used just 13 pitches to get three outs. He was, apparently, the key to the game since after his appearance, the Sox turned the game around.
On the offensive side of things the Sox performed much better. Much like two games ago versus the Reds, one big inning was all the Sox needed. In the bottom of the fifth the Sox scored four runs, went ahead, and never looked back.
David Ortiz hit a pair of two-run homers and a double for the game. Big Papi joins Ted Williams and Carl Yaztremski with 400 home runs with the Sox. Will Ortiz eventually join his famous teammates in the Hall of Fame? Only time will tell, but he certainly made his case tonight with three hits and six RBI.
Ortiz wasn’t the only Red Sox player with multiple hits. Daniel Nava hit a double and two singles, one of which tied the game in the fifth inning. Mike Napoli also had a pair of singles as did Dustin Pedroia.
Koji Uehara closed out the game but not without some drama. Coming into the top of the ninth with 10-6 lead, he allowed a solo home run, a walk, and hit someone with a pitch. But he finally ended the inning and the game.
Sunday afternoon, Joe Kelly takes the mound for the Sox against Collin McHugh and the Astros at 1:35pm.