Ortiz homers again for PawSox

Slugger's rehab shifts to Portland

DAVID ORTIZ Opts out of today's game

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - David Ortiz missed last week's Home Run Derby because of a left wrist injury, but he's making up for lost time during his rehabilitation in the minors. The Red Sox slugger hit his third home run - a solo shot to right field in the third inning - in as many games with Triple A Pawtucket last night at McCoy Stadium.

"He said [his wrist] is feeling great," said PawSox manager Ron Johnson after Pawtucket lost to Toledo, 13-5. "I probably asked him so many times, he probably got sick of me asking. He was just like, 'It was nothing.' That was really exciting from all of our standpoints because we want this guy back playing in the big leagues."

Ortiz incurred a partially torn tendon sheath May 31 in a 6-3 win over Baltimore and has been on the injured list since June 3.

Although Ortiz and Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Friday that Ortiz would play in today's series finale against the Mud Hens, the designated hitter decided to take the day off, according to Johnson. He will continue with his rehabilitation by playing three games with Double A Portland, starting tomorrow.

In his three games in Pawtucket, Ortiz batted .333 (3 for 9), hit three homers, knocked in five runs, walked twice, and struck out twice. He went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts last night.

Johnson said Ortiz's three-day trip was an overall success. Even last night, he said Ortiz's timing and comfort at the plate were the best he'd seen during the series.

"I thought [last night] was really good," Johnson said. "He swung at pitches, he was aggressive, he missed pitches. But even watching the way he reacted after he missed was very positive."

Ortiz almost got lucky in the first inning. Toledo first baseman Derek Wathan appeared to misjudge Ortiz's pop foul, but Wathan fell over backward to make the catch on the first-base line.

Batting third in the lineup, Ortiz struck gold on his ninth pitch of the night - a fastball from starter Chris Lambert. The solo homer drew loud applause from the sold-out crowd of 10,675, who continued their "Papi! Papi!" cheer throughout the night.

In the fifth, Ortiz belted a shot down the right-field line that went just foul. He struck out swinging on the next pitch - an off-speed offering.

Toledo's Clay Rapada relieved in the seventh and struck out Ortiz to lead off the inning. Ortiz was fooled on a 2-and-2 pitch that third base umpire Lance Barrett said the slugger went around on.

That ended the night for Ortiz (who left the park before the game ended) as Sandy Madera pinch hit for him in the eighth.

PawSox righthander starter Charlie Zink, who entered the game with an 11-2 record, was shelled in 1 2/3 innings of work, allowing nine runs and eight hits.