David Ortiz homered twice as the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 to take a 2-0 lead in their American League division series.
It was the first two-homer playoff game for the Red Sox designated hitter. Ortiz was a star for the 2004 Boston team that won the club’s first World Series title in 86 years and is the only player remaining from that team.
“When he hits two home runs, things are going to revolve around him,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “He’s the main cog in our lineup.”
Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and scored three runs, and Dustin Pedroia drove in three runs for the Red Sox.
The Rays will need a victory in Game 3 on Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida, to avoid a sweep in the best-of-five series.
“We’ve been in this boat in the past and we’ve forced Game 5s in those situations, also. So Boston this time of the year is kind of lovely, and I’m looking forward to coming back in a few days,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Tampa Bay’s David Price allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks, striking out five. He took the mound for the eighth inning but was chased after Ortiz hit his second homer.
There was no such suspense for Ortiz’s other homer, which went into the Boston bullpen in the first inning to make it 2-0.
John Lackey lasted just 5 1/3 innings for Boston, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out six and also hit a batter while getting the win. Koji Uehara struck out the first two batters in the ninth before retiring Myers on a grounder.
Boston won 12-2 in the opener when every starter got a hit and scored a run. In Game 2, every Red Sox starter got a hit except Mike Napoli, who drew two walks.
In Oakland, Stephen Vogt lined an RBI single in the ninth inning after rookie Sonny Gray matched zeros with Justin Verlander in a sensational playoff debut that helped the Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 1-0, tying their AL division series at a game apiece.
Yoenis Cespedes and Seth Smith hit back-to-back singles against loser Al Alburquerque to start the winning rally, then Josh Reddick was intentionally walked before Rick Porcello entered to face Vogt.
The AL West champion A’s had eight walk-off wins during the regular season, then did it again at the perfect time on baseball’s October stage.
Grant Balfour pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the win.
Game 3 is Monday afternoon in Detroit.
