Ortiz ends Fenway home run drought in Sox win

[Crewleader]

By JIMMY GOLEN
Associated Press writer
July 15, 2007 6:00 AM

BOSTON — It's been a while since David Ortiz has gotten the best of Fenway Park.

The Red Sox slugger hadn't homered at home since April 21 — a span of 129 at-bats over 34 games. He ended that slump on Saturday night, and Eric Hinske and Jason Varitek also homered for Boston to help Daisuke Matsuzaka overcome a rough outing and beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-4.

"It's not going to be another 129 at-bats," Ortiz said. "It could be worse. Everybody's worried about me hitting homers. But people who may see that may be like, 'He may not be hitting homers but the guy is hitting .320 year-round. One thing covered the other."

Ortiz hit 22 of his franchise-record 54 homers at Fenway last year, and his game-winning hits have been thrilling the hometown crowds since Boston's 2004 World Series run. But the Red Sox designated hitter, who revealed Thursday that he has had a torn meniscus in his right knee for more than a year, is well off both paces, hitting just four of this year's 15 homers at home.

"He is one of the most feared hitters in baseball, and he rises to the occasion," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "That's why he is a superstar. I'm sure he is hurt, but he is out there every day and one swing can burn you in a hurry."

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