BOSTON — The four-hour drama at Fenway Park ended with – what else? – the big man taking a bow. Or in this case, the star of the show being mobbed by teammates at second base after Boston’s 6-5 victory in the 11th inning.
David Ortiz, at age 40, did it again.
“I don’t know how he does it,” Xander Bogaerts said.
It was Bogaerts who scored both the tying run in the ninth inning and the winning run in the 11th on Ortiz extra-base hits, both with two outs.
“He’s hitting in those moments with such clarity,” Manager John Farrell said. “And he’s done it so often, he’s extremely confident in those key spots.”
In the ninth, Ortiz launched a triple to left-center.
You heard that right – a triple, his first since 2013.
“To see that big guy rumble around the bases and the energy he had …” Farrell said. “What David is doing is really incredible to watch daily.”
Then came the closing scene in the 11th. Two outs. Bogaerts on first. Ortiz quickly fell behind 1-2, fouling off a 98 mph fastball from Michael Feliz.
Ball two was a wild pitch, sending Bogaerts to second.
There was an open base and an opportunity to walk Ortiz. But Feliz had two strikes and the Astros decided to go for it.
“We’re thinking they might not pitch to him,” Farrell said.
In the dugout, Jackie Bradley Jr. couldn’t believe it.
“I was very surprised,” Bradley said. “I don’t care if David is 100 years old, I don’t let him beat me.”
In the batter’s box, Ortiz was thinking, “I’ve got two strikes and they know I’m a good fastball hitter,” Ortiz said in a TV interview. “I was aware of the situation.”
In other words, Ortiz was looking for off-speed and Feliz came with a change-up.
Ortiz smacked his game-winning double to Fenway’s triangle in center field. Bogaerts raced home. Players rushed to Ortiz.
After being mobbed, Ortiz collected second base and walked off, another souvenir in his farewell season.
Of course the questions about Ortiz’s retirement came up after the game. Ortiz is playing so well, everyone asks why he would retire.
“We don’t want to go any further with that,” Farrell said of the talk. “He’s having a blast playing the game right now. He’s so free. We’re all enjoying what he’s doing.”
In the TV interview, Ortiz was asked if he was still retiring.
“Right now, yes,” Ortiz said.
He then hurried out of the locker room, past reporters waiting for him.
“Just say I’m a bad (expletive),” Ortiz said as he left.
Among the “bad” accomplishments Saturday included his 10th home run of the season (513th lifetime) in the third inning, and his 600th career double in the 11th.
Can you name the three majors league players who hit at least 600 doubles and over 500 home runs in their career?
Hank Aaron. Barry Bonds. David Ortiz.
“The way he’s doing it right now, with power, the extra-base hits, at his age, it’s greatness, man,” Bogaerts said.
These are “not those cheap hits, like I get. He’s hitting balls far.”
Don’t let Bogaerts fool you. If there’s a best supporting award in this show, Bogaerts gets the trophy. He not only went 3 for 6 with three runs, his hustle in the ninth kept the game alive. With one out and Bradley on first, Bogaerts grounded to short and sprinted down the line, just beating the throw that would have been a game-ending double play.
“I told myself, ‘go out hard. You need David to hit behind you, to give us a chance,” Bogaerts said. “I had to get on so he could do what he does.”
In the 11th, Bogaerts came up with two outs and no one on. He worked a full count and then grounded a 98 mph fastball into right field for a single.
Bogaerts is hitting .414 in his last 23 games.
Asked about his groove, Bogaerts changed the subject back to Ortiz.
Ortiz is the star, after all, receiving the spotlight in his final season, with special presentations in every stadium.
“We travel to all these ballparks and he’s presented gifts,” Farrell said, “but our fans are getting the greatest gift of all, and that is seeing what David is doing, game in and game out.”
Should Ortiz retire? Of course. Always leave with the crowd asking for more.
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