Realists are more apt to concede that Ortiz, especially with a right leg that is likely to hinder him at times the rest of the season, deserves a blow on a midsummer's night. Even with Ortiz in the lineup, the Sox might not have done much more with Tigers rookie Andrew Miller, the 22-year-old lefthander who limited them to three hits and a run over seven innings. There also was the unmistakable feel of a tone-setting play in the third inning, when Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson, after catching the first ball Bailey hit in the big leagues, buried Wily Mo Peña at the plate with a terrific throw.
Instead of an RBI in his first at-bat while subbing for sore-legged Kevin Youkilis, Bailey's debut went into the books as a double play.
"A great throw," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "That was one of the better throws you're ever going to see."
Youkilis's condition -- a strained left quadriceps -- probably is a temporary setback, which is why the Sox summoned Bailey from Pawtucket for the weekend. Ortiz's health appears more worrisome, although he has, for the most part, downplayed its impact on his performance. On Thursday night, he had three hits, including a double, his first extra-base hit in a dozen games.
"I'm feeling it," said Ortiz, who has been circumspect about what ails his leg. "I'll be all right. Some days it's good. Other days, it feels [bad]."
Last night was a planned day off, Francona said. Ortiz, who was elected the starting first baseman on the American League All-Star team, plans to go to San Francisco. He is passing on the Home Run Derby, but on Monday morning is scheduled to unveil a new athletic shoe, the Big Papi 2M Mid, marketed by Reebok. "I'll play in the game," he said last night, "but probably only for a couple of innings."
