The first two months of the season are still a burden on Ortiz, reflected whenever he sees his batting average. It still lingers at .219 even after a string of back-to-his-old-self games. But if he continues at his current pace, he may neutralize his horrid start.
“He doesn’t feel like that hitter anymore,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “If we get David Ortiz the last three or four months, what happened the first couple months won’t matter.’’
Ortiz emerged from the visiting clubhouse and ambled toward the exit last night. He wore designer jeans and sunglasses indoors. Reporters asked for a minute. “Manana,’’ he said.
Ortiz could relax, his season in turnaround mode. The launching point came June 6, when he hooked a home run around Pesky’s Pole against the Texas Rangers. Including that game, Ortiz has six home runs in his last 42 at-bats, one every seven.
Since June 6, Ortiz is batting .357 with a .480 on-base percentage and an .833 slugging percentage. From lower in the order than he is accustomed, Ortiz is saving his season and turning back into a primary cog in the offense. Francona held off moving Ortiz back to his usual third spot - “We got a good thing going,’’ he said - but Ortiz has returned in every other way.
“Nobody in this clubhouse doubted he could do it,’’ said Jon Lester, the winning pitcher last night. “It’s just a matter of himself believing that he could.’’
The Sox took control in the fourth, when Ortiz lurched into the batter’s box with Dustin Pedroia on third and Kevin Youkilis on first. Nationals starter Craig Stammen pumped three consecutive outside fastballs, each 91-92 miles per hour, at Ortiz, who looked at one pitch for a ball and fouled two back. The count ran full. Stammen threw another pitch to the same spot, over the outside half. But he tried a changeup.
Pitchers flummoxed Ortiz the first two months of the season toggling between fastballs and offspeed pitches, but no more. Ortiz remained in his crouch, a bow pulled back, until the perfect moment. He rotated his hips and extended his arms.
