Ortiz hits 2nd homer in rehab

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox, hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game between the PawSox and the Toledo Mud Hens, Thursday, July 17, 2008, at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. Ortiz will play with the PawSox as part of a rehabilitation stint for an injury to the tendon sheath of his left wrist. PawSox spokesman Bill Wanless says all tickets for Thursday's game, including standing room only, have sold out. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

PAWTUCKET, R.I.—For the second time in two nights, David Ortiz gave the fans what they came to see: a home run.

The Boston Red Sox slugger, recovering from a wrist injury with a rehabilitation assignment at Triple A Pawtucket, came to bat in the fifth inning Friday night with the team leading Toledo 3-1 and runners on second and third and two outs.

Anastacio Martinez tried to slip a 1-1 fastball by Ortiz on the outside corner but the AL All-Star designated hitter belted a three-run homer to left to give Pawtucket a 6-1 lead.

Ortiz's leadoff homer in the fourth inning on Thursday ignited a seven-run outburst as Pawtucket went on to beat Toledo 15-6.

"I feel good but the most important thing is my (left) hand is feeling good," said Ortiz, who's been sidelined since May 30 with a partially torn tendon sheath in his wrist. "I'm the kind of guy that has to use the whole field. They never approach me the same way so I've got to make sure I cover most of the plate."

Ortiz was working on taking pitches the other way during batting practice.

"Normally when I'm hitting, my game plan is to use the whole field," Ortiz said. "You've got to work on that in batting practice, obviously, so you can have it when you're in the game. Everybody knows that I'm the kind of the guy that everybody tries to get me out away, so I've got to work on that."

Ortiz popped out to third in his first at-bat.

After drawing a leadoff walk in the fourth, he scored on a two-run homer by Chris Carter.

Ortiz walked on a 3-2 pitch with one out in the seventh and was replaced by pinch-runner Sandy Madera.

The game was called in the bottom of the seventh because of unplayable field conditions after a 45-minute rain delay.

Ortiz said he plans to finish his four-game stint with Pawtucket and then play three games at Double A Portland next week. He is expected to return to the Red Sox for the home series with the Yankees on July 25.

"I'm feeling good but I'm going to take my time," he said. "It's only been a few days and I haven't played in the past six weeks. I've got to make sure I'm fine. Besides, I'm too old to rush it."