Ortiz Helps PawSox Dump Mud Hens 15-6

PAWTUCKET- The long anticipated David Ortiz rehab assignment has begun. And it can be called nothing but a resounding success. He belted one of what was five Pawtucket home runs as the PawSox dominated the Toledo Mud Hens, 15-6, before 11,460 fans packed at McCoy.

“The good thing is, everything came out the way I expected” said Ortiz, “Hopefully I can keep it going.”

Ortiz’ homer came on a 1-2 pitch off Toledo starter Virgil Velasquez (6-9) in the bottom of the fourth, a low liner that rose over the short wall in front of the Mud Hens’ bullpen in right field. He was never concerned that he would try to swing too hard his first game back.

“That’s my game” he said. “Everyone’s aware of that. And to be able to swing like that when before I could not hold my bat…It’s a good feeling”

Ortiz was 1 for 3 for the night. Along with his homer he popped out to third in the first, lined out to first to end the fourth and walked in the sixth. After the walk Ortiz was replaced by pinch runner Sandy Madera.

On the disabled list since June 3rd with a strained left wrist, Ortiz was focused on re-gaining his timing.

“I was fine tonight” said Ortiz, “I saw pitches. I chased a few high fastballs, but other than that I was taking bad pitches and that’s how you work on your timing.”

Following Ortiz’ homer, the PawSox scored six more runs off Velasquez in the fourth. Chris Carter continued the rally with a single to right. George Kottaras followed with a homer of his own, a deep blast into the right center field bleachers. Jeff Corsaletti then collected his first Triple A hit with a single to right. After Keith Ginter walked, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. They were driven in on a Gil Velazquez single to center.

After Jonathan Van Every struck out, Jeff Bailey belted a two-run homer into the PawSox bullpen, his 24th of the season.

The PawSox added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth on another RBI single by Velazquez and a three run homer to center by Van Every, also his 24th of the year.

The Mud Hens fell apart in the sixth, as the PawSox scored four runs on only one hit. Carter hit his 20th homer of the season, a two run shot to right. The other two runs scored on a two out throwing error by Toledo shortstop Michael Hollimon. Mud Hens’ pitching offered up four walks in the inning.

PawSox starter Edgar Martinez (4-1) was solid on the mound for Pawtucket. He threw 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits. All the runs off Martinez came in the seventh. He struck out five and walked two.

Justin Masterson relieved Martinez in the seventh. He gave up two runs, on a grand slam to Derek Wathan. Two of the runs were charged to Martinez. Chris Smith came in for Masterson in the eighth and gave up Brent Clevlen’s second solo homer of the game. Clevlen hit a homer off Martinez in the seventh.

The PawSox amassed 14 hits. Carter had four and Bailey collected three. Velazquez added two. Velazquez and Van Every drove in three runs each. Bailey, Carter, and Kottaras drove in two each.

Game two of the series is tomorrow night (7:05pm). RHP Anastacio Martinez (2-1, 3.49 ERA) throws for the Mud Hens. RHP Davern Hansack (4-9, 4.45 ERA) goes for Pawtucket.

NOTES- Jeff Bailey stretched his hitting streak to eight games with his three hit performnace.

Tonight’s attendance of 11,460 was the fifth largest in PawSox history.

With the win the PawSox are now at 62-37, 25 games over .500 for only the second time in team history. The other occasion came on August 31, 2000.