David Ortiz Blasts His First Home Run of Spring Training, Ready to Duplicate 2011 Offensive Output

FORT MYERS, Fla. –– David Ortiz unloaded in his second spring training appearance.

In the third inning of Monday's 10-2 win over the Twins, Ortiz belted a solo shot over the right field fence. He then nearly left the yard in the fifth, but the ball landed on the left-field warning track, leading to a double.

"I tried to put some good swings out there when I'm playing but what I really want to do is make sure my timing," Ortiz said. "My foot is down on time and I can see pitches and read pitches good and be ready to go for the season. I already told Bobby [Valentine] I'm going to do what I did last year, play more, I don't mind if he sends me on the road or whatever, so I can get some playing time. Last year that helped me out a lot."

It was the right step toward Ortiz's goal of duplicating his 2011 season, when he belted 29 homers and racked up 96 RBIs. Although the home run counts won't start until April, Ortiz was pleased with his first round-tripper of the spring.

"I hit it good," he said. "Put a good swing on it."

Ortiz finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, and was replaced in the fifth inning by Lars Anderson.

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