The Boston Red Sox crushed the Detroit Tigers tonight 20-4, which included an eight home run attack, two by David Ortiz.
It was a big night for Big Papi.
This was the most home runs ever allowed in Tigers history; the team gave up seven jacks on two past occasions, in 1966 and 1999, ESPN reports..
The game was also the most runs the Sox scored in a single game this season and is also a MLB record for the 2013 season. According to WEEI , “It was the first time a major league team had totaled eight homers since 2010 (Blue Jays). Also, the seven different players hitting a homer for the Sox are the most in franchise history.”
In going deep twice, designated hitter David Ortiz now has 472 home runs all-time. He also doubled in the sixth inning to join the 2,000 hit club. Ryan Dempster (8-9) got the win while Rick Porcello (11-8) was tagged with the loss, including nine earned runs. First baseman Prince Fielder homered for the Tigers in the defeat. This was also Big Papi’s 41st multi-home run game (39th as a member of the Red Sox). With tonight’s performance Ortiz move to 47th on the MLB all-time home run list.
Red Sox players Will Middlebrooks (grand slam), Jacoby Ellsbury, Stephen Drew, Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, and Ryan Lavarnway also blasted home runs in tonight’s game. The first place Red Sox head to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series starting tomorrow night, following by three important games at Tropicana Field against the AL East second place Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox currently lead the Rays by six games, with the Rays-Angels game in the sixth inning as this is being written.
The Boston Red Sox are now 84-57, the best record in the American League. Central Division leader Detroit is 81-59.
Given how the strange world of baseball works, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise if the Sox struggle to score one or two runs over the next several games.