By MaureenMullen
CSNNE.com
DETROITDavid Ortiz did not know when he last hit a pinch-hit home run until he was informed after the Red Sox 4-3 win over the Tigers in the first game of their doubleheader Sunday.
That would be April 27, 2003. It was also his first home run in a Sox uniform.
Likewise, he did not know what he had done in his only other career plate appearance against Jose Valverde before Sunday. That would be a grand slam on July 30, 2010, at Fenway Park.
I did? he asked. Wow. I dont know I just try to see the ball against anybody. I just see the ball and make sure that when I get my pitch to try not to miss it.
He didnt miss on Sunday, either, in his second career plate appearance against Valverde. With the scored tied, and one out in the ninth inning at Comerica Park, Valverde served Ortiz a 3-2, 95-mph fastball. Ortiz blasted it into the seats in centerfield, giving the Sox a one-run edge that would hold up for their first straight win.
I know Valverde, he said. I know he has a good fastball, got a split-finger. But nothing. Its not like I have too many options when you come out of the bench to pinch hit. I just went for one pitch and he gave it to me.
Boston Red Sox
The homer, Ortizs fourth career pinch-hit home run. How does he prepare to pinch-hit?
Just go to the cage, get some swings, and make sure youre loose, make sure youre ready to go, he said. I dont like pinch hitting anyway.
Being the full-time DH helps him to get ready to be a PH, though.
Yeah, its probably the same, he said. But its not getting four at-bats. Its getting one at-bat. It can be the same thing. But the rhythm of the game has something to do with that.
The homer was Ortizs 11th of the season, eighth in May and second through six games of the seven-game road trip. He is batting .306 this season, with a .378 on-base percentage, and .559 slugging percentage.
How to explain his offensive resurgence this season?
I dont know. Im just trying to change peoples minds, and you make sure they know it, he told reporters.
With more interleague play coming up in June, Ortiz may find himself pinch-hitting more.
Probably, Ortiz said. I always let manager Terry Francona know that Im ready for whatever.
The Sox had four stolen bases in the first inningone by Jacoby Ellsbury, two by Dustin Pedroia, and one by Kevin Youkilis. It was their most since stealing four on Oct. 3, 2010, the last game of the season against the Yankees. It is only the third time since 1975 that they have stolen four in a single inning. The other two times were against the Yankees, Oct. 3, 2010, and Sept. 26, 2010.
Dustin Pedroia went 1-for-4 with a home run, extending his hitting streak to six games, a season-high.
The Sox placed left-handed reliever Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 26, with a left forearm strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden from Pawtucket.
Bobby Jenks threw one inning in a rehab assignment in Pawtucket, giving up one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. He threw 20 pitches, 11 strikes, while his fastball was between 94- and 96-mph.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter athttp:twitter.commaureenamullen