BOSTON – David Ortiz was touched by watching the Hall of Fame induction speeches. He then went out and added another big night to his illustrious career.
Big Papi homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs to lead the Boston Red Sox to an 11-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday night.
“Today was a day that emotions were going all over the place,” the 39-year-old Ortiz said. “I was watching the inductions. I’m not going to lie to you. It was very emotional.”
Ortiz, who had two three-run homers and an RBI single, and Xander Bogaerts each had four of the season-high 20 hits by the Red Sox.
“Big night for David and a big night for us offensively overall,” manager John Farrell said. “David was all over the baseball with two beautiful swings with the two three-run homers.”
Ortiz was especially touched by fellow countryman and teammate Pedro Martinez’s induction. The pair played on Boston’s 2004 team that ended an 86-year World Series title drought.
“Pedro, I got tears coming out when I hear Pedro talking because I know the man,” Ortiz said.
Farrell believes it may have sparked Ortiz.
“Maybe it’s somewhat fitting for Boston baseball today with Pedro’s induction and David with the seven RBIs as he climbs up higher on the all-time list,” he said.
Ortiz passed three Hall of Famers to claim 38th place on the all-time RBI list with 1,587, passing Rogers Hornsby, Harmon Killebrew and former Tiger great Al Kaline.
“I don’t know if he’s slowing down or not,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. “But he was fine tonight. He looked like David Ortiz of the last 15 years.”
Boston won for just the second time 11 games – with both victories coming in this series. Nick Castellanos hit a solo homer for the second straight day for the struggling Tigers, who have lost six of nine.