Moments later, Martinez connected again. R.Castillo singled to right.
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For the first four innings, this was pretty much a one-sided contest, at least on the scoreboard. Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts led the Red Sox with a pair of 2-run doubles, while David Ortiz hit his 22nd home run of the season and his 20th at Comerica Park, the most by a visiting player since it opened. No, he didn’t hit his 500th career home run – he’s still 11 shy after last night’s blast.
Ortizs two-run single in the seventh gave Boston a 6-5 lead, but Martinez answered with a long drive down the line off Tazawa (2-5). The Red Sox called up INF Deven Marrero from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill the vacancy created by the trade of 1B Mike Napoli to Texas. He left a 2-2 splitter up in the middle of the zone, and Victor crushed it..
The Tigers bounced back one game after a dugout scrap between shortstop Jose Iglesias and catcher James McCann was caught on camera. Farrell said he hopes to have Ramirez and 3B Pablo Sandoval (jammed thumb) available for Tuesday’s series opener in Miami.
Red Sox sixth. Hanigan was hit by a pitch.
The Tigers have gone through a tumultuous couple of weeks. The trade came after MLB’s deadline for trading players without putting them on Waivers.
Detroit fell behind 2-0 on Saturday but eventually prevailed in an entertaining, back-and-forth game. And Tazawa, roughed up for four runs in his last two outings, made sure the Sox never needed to figure out whether newcomer Jean Machi would be a viable choice to close the game. The rookie scored to make it 4-3 when Flores blooped a two-out single to right. Blaine Hardy gave up the hit to Ortiz, but the runs were given to Simon because he inherited the runners on-base.
Minutes before the first pitch of Boston’s game at Detroit on Friday night, Napoli was removed from the lineup.
I obviously didnt necessarily do my job, facing the first hitter, Hardy said.
“I think he’s going to have to eliminate a lot of walks, because he can’t reach back and throw 98-100 (mph) anymore”, manager Brad Ausmus said.
In Milwaukee, Matt Carpenter hit a leadoff home run and Jaime Garcia pitched two-hit ball for seven innings.
Hear more from Ortiz in the video above. Carlos Santana drew a one-out walk and pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn singled with two outs, but Jerry Sands struck out on three pitches to end the game.
“I haven’t felt any different the last few times”. While he has spent all his time this season in the outfield, he may get some time at second and third base to improve his versatility. “In retrospect, I wish I hadn’t done that”.
Detroit optioned RHP Shane Greene to Triple-A Toledo and will purchase the contract of LHP Tom Gorzelanny on Sunday.
With all the talk about how the Red Sox need to fix their starting rotation for next season, an equally as daunting task may be rebuilding the team’s bullpen.
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Ortiz has fared well in the past in this matchup of stars who may be past their prime, as the struggling Verlander seeks his first home win for the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
