Big Papi puts on big show, lifts Red Sox over Astros in 11th

BOSTON (AP) David Ortiz made sure he got to his daughter's birthday party. Big Papi may have picked up an extra gift from the field, too. Ortiz hit a winning
Big Papi puts on big show, lifts Red Sox over Astros in 11th
Big Papi puts on big show, lifts Red Sox over Astros in 11th /

BOSTON (AP) David Ortiz made sure he got to his daughter's birthday party.

Big Papi may have picked up an extra gift from the field, too.

Ortiz hit a winning double with two outs in the 11th inning after lining a tying triple in the ninth and earlier moving into 20th place on the career home run list, sending the Boston Red Sox past the Houston Astros 6-5 on Saturday.

Ortiz was blasted with white powdery spray from his teammates at second base after the victory. He later walked off holding the bag over his head.

When it was over, he met his son at his locker, showered, quickly got dressed and hustled out the door.

In a postgame interview, the 40-year-old Ortiz told the team's NESN cable network: ''You know when we're playing at home you've got the wonderful feeling from the fans.''

Hanley Ramirez was on deck when Ortiz delivered the winning hit and rushed out to celebrate.

''I was trying to tackle him. But man, I couldn't do it,'' Ramirez said. ''Papi, his emotion and how happy he was, he's got energy. Every time he comes here he's laughing, talking loud and it's fantastic.''

Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr. singled in the first inning, extending the majors' longest hitting streak to 20 games.

George Springer hit a grand slam and Carlos Correa a solo homer for the Astros.

Ortiz broke a tie with Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews with his 513th homer, a drive that cleared Boston's bullpen and sailed into the bleacher seats. The shot in the third was his 10th of the season.

Houston led 5-4 with two outs in the ninth when Ortiz hit an RBI triple just past diving center fielder Jake Marisnick. After sliding into third, he got up and pumped both fists toward his dugout following his first triple since June 15, 2013.

Ramirez then tried to bunt on the first pitch, but closer Luke Gregerson threw him out.

In the 11th, Xander Bogaerts singled with two outs against Michael Feliz (1-1) and advanced on a wild pitch. Ortiz hit a drive off the base of the center-field wall for his 600th career double to win it.

Ortiz joined Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds as the only major leaguers with at least 500 home runs and 600 doubles.

''He got us twice,'' Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. ''Once in the ninth and once in the 11th inning, both to the middle part of the field.''

Koji Uehara (2-1) pitched a scoreless 11th for the win.

Jose Altuve reached five times with two singles and three walks for the Astros.

Houston starter Collin McHugh gave up four runs over six innings.

Springer's slam off Clay Buchholz caromed off a billboard above the Green Monster seats to make it 5-2 in the second. Springer homered for the third time in four games, and for the second straight day at Fenway Park.

There was a spattering of boos before Buchholz was booed louder as he walked off after the inning's last out. Buchholz was charged with five runs in six innings, but held Houston scoreless over his final four.

Correa's homer completely left the park over the Monster, making it 1-0 in the first.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: Hinch said two off days in the next two weeks has his rotation in ''a little bit of a mess.'' His plan is to go with a four-man rotation until they open a series in Baltimore on May 24.

Red Sox: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia didn't start, but pinch hit and grounded out with a runner on second in the eighth. He had started in 35 of the first 36 games before Josh Rutledge played at his position and went 1 for 3 with a double.

UP NEXT

Astros RHP Chris Devenski (0-2, 1.72 ERA) hopes to get better run support in his fourth major league start. The 25-year-old has received just three total, with the club being shut out twice in his starts. RHP Sean O'Sullivan (1-0, 6.43) starts for Boston.


Published