The Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz hits a two-run triple in the sixth inning on Monday's against the Baltimore Orioles in Boston. The Sox won.
BOSTON – A couple of slumping sluggers broke out on Patriots’ Day for the Red Sox.
Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 6 with three run-scoring singles and David Ortiz had a two-run triple to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 12-1 win over Baltimore, completing a four-game sweep of the Orioles on Monday.
“I would like to be able to swing like Pedroia. He doesn’t have to worry about mechanics,” the big slugger Ortiz joked about the MVP second baseman who hits in front of him.
Ortiz entered the game hitting just .170 with one extra-base hit. He also doubled in the first inning on Monday to go 2 for 4 and knock his average up to .196.
“It felt good today,” he said. “I’ve been working with my mechanics. I’ve been a little late with pitches, which is something I usually don’t do.”
Pedroia, who has also started slowly this season and entered the game hitting .235, had simple advice for Big Papi.
“He’ll be all right. He swung the bat well today,” he said. “It’s a long year. Six hundred at-bats. The season isn’t 50 at-bats.”
Red Sox manager and ex-Arizona Wildcat Terry Francona kept Ortiz in the lineup against a left-handed starting pitcher.
“Anytime hitters hit the ball the other way with authority something’s got to be right,” Francona said.
Jason Varitek hit a solo homer and Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits to highlight Boston’s season highs in runs and hits (15).
The win was the fifth straight for the Red Sox, who won their sixth consecutive Patriots’ Day game, and 27th in their last 33 at Fenway Park against Baltimore.
Boston led 3-1 before scoring three runs in the sixth and six in the seventh. The Orioles lost their fifth straight after a 6-2 start.
“Well, it can turn on you in a hurry,” manager Dave Trembley said.
Justin Masterson (1-0), who replaced injured starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, held the Orioles to one run and four singles in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
Cesar Izturis drove in Baltimore’s run with an infield hit.
NL: Pirates slow the Marlins
PITTSBURGH – Ross Ohlendorf allowed two hits over seven innings during Pittsburgh’s third shutout in four games and Nate McLouth drove in four runs as the Pirates ended Florida’s seven-game winning streak, winning 8-0 on Monday night.
The Marlins began the night with a major league-best 11-1 record and were coming off three consecutive come-from-behind victories in their final at-bat in Washington. This time, they fell behind 1-0 in the first inning and never caught up during their first loss in seven road games.
Ohlendorf (1-2), finally getting some run support, won for the first time in eight starts since being traded to the Pirates by the Yankees last season.
Reds 4, Astros 3: At Houston, Joey Votto’s two-run double in the seventh inning lifted the Reds over the Astros.
Trailing 3-2, Paul Janish and Willy Taveras singled before Votto’s hit helped the Reds win for the third time in four games.
Nationals 3, Braves 2: At Washington, highly touted pitching prospect Jordan Zimmermann won his major league debut, throwing six strong innings in the Nationals’ rainy victory over the Braves.