BOSTON — David Ortiz improved his career home run total in the most fitting way.
The Red Sox designated hitter smacked a solo shot to the center field bleachers in the eighth inning Thursday against the New York Yankees. It was Ortiz’s 537th career blast, which helped him pass Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for 17th on the all-time list.
The home run was Ortiz’s 34th of the season. However, it didn’t help the Red Sox much on the scoreboard, as the Yankees still were up 5-2 at the time.
UPDATE: Ortiz’s homer ended up playing a big role, as Boston rallied with five runs in the bottom of the ninth — capped by an RBI single from Ortiz and a monstrous walk-off homer from Hanley Ramirez — to defeat the Yankees, 7-5.
Somewhere, poor Mantle is rolling over in his grave.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
