David Ortiz Homers Twice in Red Sox Victory

David Ortiz continues to slug and he certainly let his former team experience just that on Saturday night. Ortiz would account for half of the 12 runs scored by Boston in its 12-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Beginning in the first-inning, Ortiz launched a one out, three-run home run to right field off of Scott Diamond, scoring Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia to give the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead.

Following an RBI single in the third-inning, Ortiz would add to his impressive daily totals by knocking a two-run home run in the seventh-inning, increasing Boston’s lead by four runs over the Twins, 9-5.

Despite an impressive offensive barrage, Boston starting pitcher Ryan Dempster struggled, surrendering 5 runs on 8 hits over 4.2 innings, while walking a season-high 6 batters. Over his last two starts, Dempster has allowed 11 runs in 9.2 innings, seeing his ERA jump from 2.93 to a mediocre 4.27.

After Dempster’s exit in the fifth-inning, Boston’s bullpen would buckle down, going 5.1 scoreless innings en route to Boston’s fourth straight victory.

With the victory over Minnesota, Boston improved to a 26-17 record, remaining one game behind the AL East leading New York Yankees. Following a 14-game stretch that saw Boston lose 10 of those games, the Red Sox have rebounded with four straight victories.