Monday, April 24, 2006

Sox 6, Blue Jays 3

David Ortiz continued his hot hitting against Toronto pitching Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and a bunt single.

That isn't a misprint.

After losing hits in two consecutive at-bats to the defensive shift that puts three fielders between first base and second base, Ortiz came up in the sixth and dropped a bunt between the mound and third base. More of that might keep defenses honest and lead to more hits between first and second. Of course, in situations when a bunt single isn't enough, he probably will continue to see the shift.

But it was his opposite-field two-run homer that gave the Sox a lead they didn't lose. Ortiz' blow also scored Kevin Youkilis, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the game.

Mike Lowell drove in two runs and hit his ninth double of the season. The only player in the major leagues with more is Michael Young of Texas, who has 10. Youkilis drove in a run and was on base three times from the leadoff spot, adding two singles to his HBP. Trot Nixon made a running catch on the warning track to end a bases-loaded threat in the fifth.

Matt Clement (2-1, 6.17) pitched into the sixth, giving up two earned runs and striking out four. The bullpen was impressive. Keith Foulke retired all five hitters he faced, three on strikeouts. What was most impressive about Foulke's effort is that he did it under pressure -- he came into the sixth inning of a 4-3 game with one out and two runners on and got out of it, and followed that up with a perfect seventh.

Mike Timlin pitched the eighth, striking out two, and Jon Papelbon notched his eighth save in as many opportunities.

The 12-7 Sox open a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians Tuesday. Curt Schilling (4-0, 1.61) will be looking for his fifth-straight win, and will be opposed by Jake Westbrook (2-2, 5.92). Cleveland, who started the season 6-1, is 10-9.

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