Ortiz’s Historic Night Powers Red Sox Over Astros

Jessica Camerato is a Boston.com correspondent.

The night belonged to David Ortiz. With milestone home runs and dominating at bats, the slugger powered the Boston Red Sox to a 10-7 win over the Houston Astros Saturday at Fenway Park.

The Astros jumped out early scoring two runs in the first inning. Robbie Grossman reached on a Dexter Fowler single and Chris Carter scored on a Jon Singleton groundout.

In the second, Marwin Gonzalez scored on a sacrifice fly from Carter. That same inning, Daniel Nava doubled to drive in Mike Napoli, cutting the Astros edge to 3-1.

The Astros continued their offensive attack in the third. Gregorio Petit doubled a line drive to left field and drove in Singleton and Gonzalez. The Astros stretched their lead to 5-1.

Ortiz replied in historic fashion in that inning. With Dustin Pedroia on base, Ortiz hit a two-run shot to center field for his 400th home run as a member of the Red Sox. He is only the 25th player in Major League history to reach that feat with the same team and just the third member of the Red Sox to do so (Ted Williams 521, Carl Yastrzemski 452).

In the fourth, Rubby De La Rosa gave up a solo home run to Carter. His night came to an end after that inning, trailing 6-3. He left the game having thrown 89 pitches with nine hits, six earned runs, four walks, and two strikeouts.

The Red Sox began an offensive attack in the fifth. Ortiz began the surge with his second home run of the game, driving in Brock Holt to cut the deficit to 6-5. Peacock was relieved by Josh Fields. He threw 94 pitches, seven hits, six runs (five earned), two walks, three strikeouts and gave up two homers. With Fields pitching, Daniel Nava brought home Yoenis Cespedes on a single to left. Jackie Bradley Jr. brought in Mike Napoli with a sacrifice fly to center field. The four-run inning gave the Red Sox a 7-6 lead.

Ortiz knocked in his sixth RBI of the night in the eighth inning with a double. Bradley Jr. and Holt scored to bring the Red Sox lead to 9-6. Ortiz was replaced by pinch runner Corey Brown and received a standing ovation when he left the field. Cespedes then pushed the lead up to 10-6 with an RBI in the eighth.

With two outs in the ninth, Koji Uehara gave up a home run to Jason Castro followed by a single to Singleton. He hit the next batter, Jake Marisnick, before Gonzalez grounded out to first to end the game. Wilson (1-0) earned the win while Fields (2-6) was assessed the loss.

MVP: David Ortiz
First he reached a milestone, then he added on another for good measure. Ortiz hit his 400th home run as a member of the Red Sox in the third inning. Two innings later, he slammed another two-run homer. Ortiz finished the game with six RBIs, tying a career high.

Goat: The Starting Pitchers
Both De La Rosa and Peacock dug themselves into holes. De La Rosa gave up six earned runs, Peacock five. In the end, De La Rosa’s team prevailed at the plate.

ICYMI
Check out the first of Ortiz’s two home runs. The first slam marked number 400 with the Red Sox.

Tweet of the Night

A mere six RBI’s tonight for Papi.

— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 17, 2014

Numbers to Know
The Red Sox are 8-6 in August … Brock Holt extended his hitting streak to 10 games … Even though the Astros jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Red Sox improved to 17-50 when opponents score first … They are 44-0 when leading after eight innings.

Looking Ahead
The Red Sox and Astros will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 1:35pm. Right handers Joe Kelly (0-0, 2.08) and Collin McHugh (5-9, 3.08) will take the mound at Fenway Park.

Kelly, who was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of July, will make his first home start for the Red Sox. He has had two starts on the road, both no decisions. Sunday will be Kelly’s first career start facing the Astros. He previously made two relief appearances against them (1.1 scoreless innings, two hits, two strikeouts).

McHugh earned a win in his last outing on August 12, his first since June 3. He has never pitched against the Red Sox. McHugh has a 2.98 ERA against American League opponents over his career.