David Ortiz wasn’t ready for the Boston Red Sox to suffer a sixth straight loss.
Ortiz crushed a three-run, go-ahead homer off Joba Chamberlain with one out in the ninth inning Sunday to propel the Red Sox past the Detroit Tigers 5-3 at Comerica Park. Ortiz’s clutch blast helped Boston snap a five-game losing streak.
The Red Sox entered the ninth inning down 3-2. Brock Holt, who went 4-for-5, got things going with a leadoff single into center field, and Dustin Pedroia added to Boston’s threat with a one-out walk. The real fireworks were provided by Ortiz, who had been 0-for-4 before his game-winning home run.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus turned to Chamberlain to pitch the ninth inning Sunday because closer Joe Nathan was unavailable. Nathan, who has struggled mightily, threw 32 pitches in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, and Chamberlain entered on the heels of 12 straight scoreless appearances.
Big Papi lives for the big moment. And he once again showed it during a nationally televised game.
