BOSTONDown by one run going into the home half of the first, the Red Sox offense wasted little time getting all over Jays starter Ricky Romero.
The Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in the first, scoring six runs on four hits and two walks, on their way to a 10-4 win over the Blue Jays at Fenway Park Wednesday afternoon.
Jon Lester was the beneficiary of the offensive barrage, earning the win to even his record at 5-5. Lester went seven innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with no walks, four strikeouts and two home runs. He snapped his streak of four straight quality starts, as his ERA rose from 4.48 to 4.53.
David Ortiz walked in his first three plate appearances, scoring each time when Adrian Gonzalez drove him in. But in his fourth plate appearance, he drove a Jesse Chavez fastball into the stairwell behind the Sox bullpen in the center field bleachers for his 21st homer of the season and 399th of his career.
Leading off the eighth, Ortiz had a chance to reach the 400-home run milestone. But, with the Fenway crowded chanting "Lets go, Papi," hoping to witness the milestone before the Sox leave for a seven-game road trip to Seattle and Oakland, Ortiz struck out swinging.
Ortiz finished the day going 1-for-2 with four runs scored, an RBI, three walks, and a strikeout.
Romero took the loss for the Jays, going three innings plus two batters in the fourth, giving up nine runs, eight earned, on seven hits and six walks with one strikeout.
Boston Red Sox
The Sox finish the nine-game homestand with a record of 7-2.
STAR OF THE GAME: David OrtizOrtiz went 1-for-2 with a home run, three walks, four runs scored, and an RBI. He walked in each of his first three plate appearances, scoring each time when Adrian Gonzalez drove him in. In his first official at-bat, he crushed a Jesse Chavez fastball into the stairwell behind the Red Sox bullpen in the center field bleachers. It was his 21st home run of the season, 399th of his career, and 341st with the Red Sox.The home run moves him past Dale Murphy, at 398, and into a tie with Andres Galarraga and Al Kaline for 49th on baseballs all-time list.In his final plate appearance of the game, Ortiz led off the eighth inning looking for career home run No. 400. Instead, he struck out against Luis Perez.The four runs scored tie a career high for the fifth time (the last was Aug. 12, 2008, against the Rangers).HONORABLE MENTION: Jon LesterLester earned the win, going seven innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with no walks, four strikeouts, and two home runs. His record improved to 5-5, although his ERA crept up from 4.48 to 4.53.Lester snapped a streak of four straight games with a quality start. But in that streak, he was 1-1 with two no-decisions, while the Sox were 1-3 in those games.He has a 3.41 ERA in four day games this season, with 23 strikeouts in 29 innings, holding opponents to a .204 average.
THE GOAT: Ricky RomeroGiven a one-run lead after the first inning, the Blue Jays lefty quickly gave that back, and more. He faced 10 batters in the first inning, with six scoring as the first five batters reached base before the Jays could record an out.He lasted just three innings, plus two batters in the fourth, giving up nine runs, eight earned, on seven hits and six walks with one strikeout. He threw 90 pitches, 48 strikes, as his record fell to 8-2, and his ERA climbed from 4.34 to 4.94.Romero tied his career high, allowing nine runs, which he had done previously against the Sox on July 9, 2010. It was the fifth time in his career he has allowed six or more runs in an inning -- it was the most runs he has ever allowed in the first inning.This was his shortest outing since lasting just 2 13 innings against the Sox in the July 9, 2010 game.It was the second time hes allowed six or more walks in an outing this season.
THE TURNING POINTTrailing by a run entering the first inning, the Sox offense sent 10 batters to the plate, with six scoring. The first five batters reached base safely, with all eventually scoring. Romero set the tone quickly by walking lead-off batter Daniel Nava on four pitches.
STAT OF THE DAY: 7.12Romero now has a career ERA of 7.12, giving up 34 earned runs over 43.0 innings in eight starts, with a record of 3-4.
QUOTE OF NOTEWho doesnt (enjoy watching him)? Its awesome. Thats what he does. Thats why he should be here for a lot longer.Adrian Gonzalez on David Ortiz