Boston, MA (Sports Network) - David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre, and J.D. Drew each homered, as the Red Sox used a seven-run fifth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 10-6, in Manny Ramirez's much-anticipated return to Boston.
Red Sox Spoil Manny’s Return to Fenway, Beat Dodgers 10-6
Ramirez, who spent 7 1/2 years with the Red Sox, received a mixed reaction from the Boston crowd. It seemed like there was more cheers for the enigmatic slugger, who was the MVP of Boston’s memorable 2004 World Series championship that ended the franchise’s dreaded 84-year drought.
The Red Sox traded Ramirez to Los Angeles in July of 2008. Some fans felt he quit on the team towards the end of his stay because he wanted out. On Friday night, Ramirez was the designated hitter and went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts against his former club.
Ramirez's return overshadowed Felix Doubront's major league debut for Boston. The 22-year-old lefty wasn't particularly sharp, to say the least, but the Red Sox's high-powered offense helped him get the win. Doubront (1-0) went five- plus innings, allowing five runs -- three earned -- on six hits. He also fanned two batters and walked two.
Five players finished with two hits for Boston, which was coming off a three- game sweep of the Diamondbacks.
James Loney knocked in two runs for the Dodgers, who have dropped two in a row and five of seven overall. Garret Anderson hit a solo homer for Los Angeles, which got an RBI apiece from Russell Martin and Matt Kemp.
Carlos Monasterios (3-2) got rocked in four-plus innings, giving up six runs on eight hits to take the loss. He also struck out two and walked two.
With the score tied at three, Boston plated seven runs in the fifth. Dustin Pedroia singled and Ortiz walked. Kevin Youkilis followed with an RBI double past a diving Kemp in right-center field. Ramon Troncoso relieved Monasterios and immediately gave up a single to Darnell McDonald. Kemp misplayed the ball in center, allowing two runs to score on the play. Beltre stepped to the plate and blasted a 2-1 curveball over the Green Monster. Not only did Beltre hit the homer on one knee, but he also hit the ball out of the stadium.
The Red Sox didn't stop there, as Jason Varitek doubled, Mike Cameron singled, and Daniel Nava was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Travis Schlichting then took over on the mound. Marco Scutaro grounded into a fielder's choice to plate another run. Pedroia's sacrifice fly to center made it a 10-3 game.
The Dodgers got two runs back in the sixth. Ramirez singled and Casey Blake doubled. Loney drove in both runners with a single. After Ronnie Belliard walked, Scott Atchison came in from the bullpen. He retired the next three batters to limit the damage.
Anderson led off the ninth with a homer to right, cutting the gap to 10-6. LA went on to put runners on second and third, but Daniel Bard got Ramirez to go down looking for his third save of the year.
The Red Sox put up a three-spot in the first on a pair of homers. Pedroia hit a one-out single to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Ortiz then stepped to the plate and blasted a 3-1 fastball over the wall in center. Two batters later, Drew hit a solo homer that just cleared the Green Monster. It was originally called a double on the field, but a review was used to overturn the call.
Los Angeles scored three times in the third to tie things up. Belliard got things started with a double. Reed Johnson then hit a grounder to first baseman Youkilis, who tossed the ball over to first. Doubront failed to catch the ball, which allowed Belliard to score and Johnson to advance to second. Kemp hit an RBI triple two batters later. Martin followed with a run-scoring groundout.
Boston took two of three from the Dodgers the last time these teams met back in 2004...Ramirez hit .312 with 274 homers, 868 RBI and posted a .999 OPS (on- base percentage plus slugging) in his time with Boston...Drew left the game in the third inning with a right hamstring strain...The Red Sox have won 10 of their last 12 at Fenway Park...Ortiz has three homers in his last four games...Doubront was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket prior to the game. Boston designated pitcher Boof Bonser for assignment...Doubront was the first pitcher to make his debut as a starter for Boston since Michael Bowden on August 30, 2008 versus the White Sox.
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