David Ortiz Goes Deep Again, Puts an End to Bat-Flipping Controversy

NEW YORK — This time, David Ortiz did not flip his bat away with style. He did not do a pirouette with panache. And after the Red Sox slugger hammered his second two-run homer in as many nights, he put to rest all the controversy stirred up by the first one.

"I don't care what Joe Girardi said," Ortiz said of the New York Yankees manager, who took exception to Ortiz's flare Tuesday night. "I come to play the game every day. I'm done with that [expletive] … That's it."

Ortiz connected off Yankees rookie Hector Noesi in the fifth inning Tuesday. Immediately, he did a one-handed flip of the bat and spun, turning his back to the pitcher, before jogging down the line. There was plenty of talk as to whether New York would seek some sort of retribution, especially since two of their batters were hit by pitches before Ortiz's home run.

The Red Sox designated hitter said that never even crossed his mind when he stepped in against A.J. Burnett in the first inning Wednesday.

"Why should I?" he said when asked if he expected to be hit.

Instead, Ortiz deposited a 3-2 fastball into the seats in right. It was his 15th home run of the year and the 364th of his career. In the wake of the controversy, he feels it is important to note that second total.

"I have almost 370 bombs in the big leagues," Ortiz said. "Why are we making a big deal out of one bat flip?"

In 160 career games against New York, Ortiz has never been hit with a pitch.