BOSTON — Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hit career home run No. 496 on Saturday afternoon. He drilled a pitch from Philadelphia Phillies starter Alec Asher down the right field line and inside the Pesky Pole.
Ortiz also made history in Boston’s 9-2 win.
It was his 30th home run of the season, giving him nine 30-plus homer seasons with the Red Sox. That breaks a tie with Sox legend and Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who previously held the team record with eight 30-HR seasons.
“We’re all engaged every time he comes to the plate,” Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said. “It’s an exciting time for everyone. No matter what we say to try and downplay it. He’s reaching a pretty impressive milestone.
“He is a great leader and a great friend to everybody on this team, so it makes it a little more special because of who he is and what he means to us. I know it will be a great accomplishment. A very well-deserved accomplishment when it finally does come, and we’re all pulling for him every time he comes to the plate.”
— Blake Swihart went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. He increased his batting average to .288 on the season, which ranks first among all American League catchers with at least 200 plate appearances.
“It was pounded into him that he wasn’t up here early for offense. It was control your pitchers, take care of your boys and catch wins,” Lovullo said.
“We always knew he had some capabilities offensively. I read a stat up on the board that he’s leading the American League since the All-Star break for all catchers in batting average. There’s a certain comfort level, there’s a certain feel and confidence that he’s walking up to the plate with, and executing a great game plan.”
— Red Sox starter Wade Miley went the distance for his 12th win. He gave up two earned runs, five hits, struck out eight and walked no one.
“It was a good effort,” Lovullo said. “First career complete game. He was just on the attack from the first inning on. Little bit of a hiccup after we had the eight-run inning. I think there was a little bit of a pause there. All in all, that was the only time he got nicked up. He was in control of all his innings pitch-count wise. Complete effort by him.”
— Mookie Betts extended his hit streak to 11 games with a leadoff single. He went 3 for 4 with a run and a walk. Betts now has 17 hits during his streak.
— Jackie Bradley Jr. is 4-for-4 with a double and a triple in bases loaded situations this season. His double came Saturday and it drove in two runs during an eight-run fourth inning for the Sox.
— The Red Sox offense is giving plenty of run support to its pitchers over the last month, but the improved outfield defense also is helping a great deal. The current trio of Rusney Castillo in left, Betts in center and Bradley in right features plenty of speed to track down any hard hit ball.
“It’s probably one of the better outfields in the game right now,” Miley said. “You just pitch, not that it bothered me before, it’s just fun to look at a ball in the gap and there’s a guy under it. Even if they don’t catch it, a lot of times they hold it to a single and that play is huge.”
— Before the game, Boston recalled infielder Deven Marrero from Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s batting 1 for 7 with a run scored in three appearances in the majors this season.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
