Boston slugger David Ortiz on Sunday went out with a bang in his final regular-season game in Toronto.
Ortiz drilled a three-run homer in the sixth inning and Jackie Bradley Jr and Hanley Ramirez also connected, as the Red Sox outslugged Toronto 11-8, reclaiming a two-game lead over the Blue Jays in the AL East.
“Wins are wins no matter what, but some wins are different,” Ortiz said. “Some wins can get you some momentum.”
Ortiz put Boston up 10-8 with a drive off Joaquin Benoit. It was his 41st career home run at Rogers Centre, his highest total at any road stadium.
“Toronto is a very nice place to play baseball and a beautiful city,” Ortiz said. “It’s always a pleasure to come here.”
With his 535th career homer, Ortiz moved past Jimmie Foxx into sole possession of 18th place on baseball’s career list. He also increased his RBI total to 110, the most by a player age 40 or above since Dave Winfield had 108 for Toronto in 1992.
“We’re somewhat in awe of what David is doing in his final run,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Starter Clay Buchholz said Ortiz is “having a hell of a going away party.”
Edwin Encarnacion homered twice and Troy Tulowitzki hit his third career grand slam, but the Blue Jays could not force a tie in the standings. Toronto and Baltimore are tied for the lead in the wild-card race.
Toronto finish the regular season with three games at Fenway Park.
“Obviously we can’t sit back and relax,” Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. “We know our division is good and we’ve got to continue to play well.”
Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts singled against Bo Schultz (0-1) before Benoit came on to face Ortiz, who swung and missed the first pitch, but connected on the second.
Ortiz hit a tying grand slam off Benoit, then with Detroit, in Game 2 of the 2013 American League Championship Series at Fenway Park. Boston went on to win 6-5.
“This might not have been the same stage, but where we are, against [Toronto], really no less important,” Farrell said.
Robbie Ross Jr (3-2) got two outs for the win. Craig Kimbrel, the ninth Boston pitcher, worked the ninth for his 25th save.
Toronto also used nine pitchers.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was ejected in the ninth after the umpires ruled Russell Martin’s double into the right field corner, initially ruled fair, had landed foul. Toronto challenged, but the call was confirmed.
Martin later struck out.
Encarnacion hit a solo home run off Buchholz in the first, singled and scored in the third, and then hit a two-run shot off Heath Hembree in the fourth. It was his fourth multihomer game of the season and No. 25 for his career. Encarnacion has 39 home runs and leads the AL with 115 RBIs.
After Martin walked on four pitches with the bases loaded in the fourth, Tulowitzki hammered Buchholz’s first pitch for his 23rd home run.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and