Ortiz homers propel Sox past Indians

Several times over the last seven years, Henry considered dumping the slugger -- whom Henry's real-life team, the Sox, signed in 2003 -- back onto the fantasy market. In 2001, Ortiz had wrist surgery and missed 57 games. In 2002, he had left knee surgery to remove bone chips and missed 23 games.

''All the injuries were unfortunate, but it was always evident that he could hit when healthy," Henry said in an e-mail last night. ''He is the epitome of the recent turn in New England's expectations in sports. Even though a batter is out the majority of the time, we all now expect him to come through when it counts -- just like the team."

''He said that?" said Ortiz. asked late last night. ''You do me a favor. You talk to him, tell him to give me a three-year extension."

Ortiz, due $5.25 million this season and $6.5 million next year, plus $7.75 million in 2007 if the team picks up his option, demonstrated yet again why he might be the definitive signing of Theo Epstein's young career, not to mention a relative bargain.

Ortiz had never faced Kevin Millwood before the 7 o'clock hour last night, when he came to the plate with Edgar Renteria (walk) aboard. On a 1-and-1 pitch, Ortiz powered a sinker away 419 feet over the wall in center.

Then in the fifth, Millwood threw Ortiz a nearly identical pitch -- same type, similar location -- that Ortiz cranked over the right-field wall.

''He's any Atlanta Braves pitcher," Ortiz said of Millwood, a product of the Atlanta system. ''He's going to throw away. Shhh. Don't tell anyone."

Ortiz's homers were his 17th and 18th of the season, while his four RBIs bumped him to 62, which led the American League for a few minutes. Alex Rodriguez regained the lead with 63 when he knocked in two runs in the Yankees' 20-11 undressing of Tampa Bay.

Though his two blasts traveled a combined 809 feet, Ortiz didn't appear to entirely connect with either ball.

''I didn't," he said. ''It's not all about being in balance or not. It's about having your weight behind you and putting out a good swing."

When Ortiz arrived in the big leagues with Minnesota, he was an opposite-field hitter with an inside-out swing. So pitchers began pounding him inside. He learned to be a pull hitter over time but could no longer hit the outside pitch.