BOSTON — Back home and rested, David Ortiz isn’t ready to look at the second half of the season as the final stretch just yet.
Ortiz drove a three-run homer deep into the seats in right field and Rick Porcello remained unbeaten at home as the Boston Red Sox beat the struggling San Francisco Giants 4-0 on Tuesday night.
It was the 23rd homer and first since the All-Star break for Ortiz, who is keeping Boston in contention for another title in his farewell season.
“I can do all the thinking after the season is over,” said Ortiz, who plans to retire once the season ends. “Not thinking about nothing now.”
Otiz’s homer in the fourth and a solo shot by Brock Holt in the third were more than enough offensive support for Porcello to remain unbeaten at home this season.
Porcello scattered four hits over 6 1-3 innings and the Red Sox won for the seventh time in eight games despite a strong start by former teammate Jake Peavy.
San Francisco remained winless since the All-Star break with its fourth straight loss. The Giants had just five hits and only three runners advanced beyond first base.
“We just need somebody to get a big hit and inject some life into this offense,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We look flat right now. You look flat when you don’t hit or drive in a run and they start pressing a little bit and we’ve got to get on track here soon.”
Porcello (12-2) scattered four hits over 6 1-3 innings, striking out three and walking two while improving to 9-0 at home. Porcello settled down after allowing singles to the first two batters he faced and improved to 9-0 at home this season.
Porcello ended up striking out the side in the first and the Giants had two hits over the next five innings. Porcello left after walking Jarrett Parker with one out in the seventh. Reliever Robbie Ross got a quick double play to end the threat.
Peavy (5-8), a key member of Boston’s 2013 World Series champions, struck out six over six innings and held his former teammates to three hits, but two left the park.
Ortiz nearly hit one out in his first at-bat, but the wind knocked it down for a very deep flyout to center. Ortiz came up again in the fourth and drove the first pitch he saw from Peavy way out to right.
“He’s a year too late if you ask me in retiring,” Peavy said with a smile. “I’d love to play that game without him tonight.”
Holt’s solo homer to center in the third was Boston’s first hit.
Dustin Pedroia led off the fourth with a walk and Xander Bogaerts followed with a single, setting up Ortiz’s shot to right that cleared the bullpen and several rows of seats before finally landing.
It was the 526th career homer for Ortiz, who didn’t seem to relish hitting it off Peavy.
“Peavy’s always going to be remembered here and welcomed to Boston,” Ortiz said. “Great teammate and great personality. I really enjoyed being his teammate.”
The Giants were in Boston for the first time since the Red Sox swept a three-game interleague series in 2007.
WELCOME BACK
Peavy joined the Red Sox in a deadline deal in 2013 and was traded about a year later. His short stay in Boston was memorable and the Boston fans welcomed him back with a warm reception early.
“I love Fenway Park and getting a chance to come back here as a visitor,” Peavy said. “Tonight was different because you’re in compete mode and you’re trying to find a way to win. But I certainly appreciate the fan response. From the time I walked out of the dugout, it was positive.”
KOJI CONCERNS
Closer Koji Uehara came in to pitch the ninth even though it was not a save situation and left after facing just one batter. Uehara was pulled after feeling a strain in his right pectoral muscle and manager John Farrell said the Red Sox weren’t taking any chances.
Uehara was to be evaluated Wednesday.
“I can’t tell you at this time how much time Koji is going to miss,” Farrell said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: OF Hunter Pence (strained left hamstring) had a couple of days off during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. Pence rested Sunday after getting hit by a pitch the day before and Sacramento was rained out Monday. … Manager Bruce Bochy said IF Joe Panik (concussion), also rehabbing with Sacramento, could be back in the lineup as soon as this weekend.
Red Sox: RHP Junichi Tazawa (right shoulder) could return to Boston’s bullpen by Friday, Farrell said. … C/LF Blake Swihart is closer to returning from a sprained left ankle, but it is not clear if he will catch again this season, Farrell said.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Matt Cain (1-5, 5.34 ERA) will get his first start since June 13 after spending more than a month on the DL with a strained right hamstring. The Giants plan to activate Cain before the game Wednesday.
Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz makes his Boston debut since coming over in a trade with San Diego last week. Pomeranz was 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA with the Padres.
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