Ortiz Hits 2 HRs, Red Sox Lead Rays 2-0 in ALDS

(AP) Ortiz hits 2 HRs, Red Sox lead Rays 2-0 in ALDS
By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer
BOSTON
David Ortiz homered twice, the second shot chasing David Price in the eighth inning on Saturday night, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 to take a 2-0 lead in the AL division series.

It was the first two-homer postseason game for the Red Sox designated hitter, who was a star for the 2004 Boston team that won the franchise’s first World Series title in 86 years and is the only player remaining from that club.

Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and scored three runs for the AL East champions and Dustin Pedroia drove in three runs.

The Rays will need a victory in Game 3 on Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla., to avoid a sweep in the best-of-five series. They won three win-or-go-home games this week just to reach this round, including Price’s complete game in the tiebreaker against Texas to determine the second AL wild-card team.

But with the situation not yet desperate, Price allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks, striking out five. He took the mound for the eighth inning, but Ortiz hit his second pitch high over the Pesky Pole, and right-field umpire Chris Guccione signaled it fair.

There was no such suspense for Ortiz’s other homer, which went into Boston bullpen in the first inning to make it 2-0. Not even right fielder Wil Myers, who misplayed a Big Papi popup into a double in right field in Boston’s Game 1 win on Friday, could be blamed for that one.

John Lackey lasted just 5 1-3 innings for Boston, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out six and also hit a batter while getting the win. Koji Uehara struck out the first two batters in the ninth before retiring Myers on a grounder.

Myers was razzed by the Fenway Park crowd during every at-bat, and the rookie drew a sarcastic cheer after catching an easy fly ball in the fifth.

Boston romped 12-2 in the opener when every starter got a hit and scored a run. In Game 2, every Red Sox starter got a hit except Mike Napoli, who drew two walks.