Here’s why David Ortiz was trying to steal

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

TORONTO — Before Monday night’s 4-2 victory against Toronto, David Ortiz had attempted 18 stolen bases in 16 seasons.

So it was a bit unusual to see him taking off for second with the Red Sox down, 2-1, in the seventh inning and one out.

J.P. Arencibia made a strong throw and Ortiz was out on a close play.

First base coach Alex Ochoa has been working with Ortiz on stealing second because teams usually don’t hold Big Papi on, so he should be able to get a running lead and swipe a base on an unsuspecting catcher. Now they need to work on their timing.

“A one-run game in the seventh inning is a little, um, dicey, I’d say,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “But it’s going to get guys to hold him on base and create a hole for guys behind him.”

Said Ortiz: “Did you think I was safe? It was close. I thought I had it.”