September 5th vs. Chicago

[BoSox34]

September 05, 2006

Papi returning today

By David Lefort, Boston.com Staff

The quickly recovering Red Sox lineup will receive another boost tonight after the team, as expected, cleared David Ortiz to return to action.

 

"The ongoing monitoring of David Ortiz has not identified any further problem,” the Red Sox released in a statement attributed to Dr. Thomas Gill. “As a result, the team of consultants caring for David has met and decided to allow him to return to play today. The Red Sox medical staff will continue to monitor David on a daily basis."

 

Ortiz yesterday took batting practice for the first time since he was hospitalized for a second time because of heart palpitations.

 

``I can't wait to start playing, dude," he said before last night's game against the White Sox.

 

Although he received clearance to resume baseball activities yesterday, Ortiz was still wearing an event monitor, a device that allows him to push a button and electronically record his heart rhythm if he has another episode.

 

``They keep that on me just to see if I get the pain back or whatever," Ortiz said. ``It seems like that one little thing that I had took some vacation, just like I did."

 

Ortiz's jovial mood was in stark contrast to the gravity of his health scare.

 

The slugger, who hasn't played since Aug. 27, when he went 1 for 3 and slammed his 47th home run of the season in a 6-3 loss at Seattle, left the team in Oakland last Tuesday after a recurrence of the irregular heartbeat he first experienced during the Yankees' most recent visit to Fenway. Ortiz was briefly hospitalized Aug. 19 after Boston's 13-5 loss to New York. He returned to play the next day, going 3 for 6 with a solo home run.

 

After flying back to Boston last week, Big Papi underwent a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital before he was released Thursday. He said Saturday that doctors told him they were ``97 percent" sure he didn't have a serious heart problem.

 

While Ortiz's long-term health no longer seems to be in jeopardy, the same can't be said of his team, which has its playoff hopes on life support. Ortiz's return, along with Manny Ram?rez, Trot Nixon, and Jason Varitek -- all three of whom were back in the lineup last night -- might be just enough to revive the team.

 

``I've been watching our games; more than anything, we need some offense," Ortiz said. ``Our pitchers, they've been doing way better. They need some support. We need our hitters to go out there and produce for them."

 

Ortiz knows about production. Despite missing the last eight games, he's still tops in the American League in home runs (47) and runs batted in (121) and has a good shot at breaking Jimmie Foxx's club record of 50 home runs. However, his missed time and the Sox' slide may have jeopardized his MVP candidacy.

 

``I'm rooting for David to win the MVP because he's my teammate," Mike Lowell said. ``But like I said, do we want five more home runs while his heart is in question? You know I think it's a non-issue there. I'm happier with the fact that he's fine than that he may have missed out on four or five home runs during this stretch."

 

White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, who has emerged, along with Derek Jeter, as a prime candidate for the MVP award, said he's rooting for Ortiz's return.

 

``It's scary," Dye said. ``You just hope the best for him. Hopefully, he gets back on the field and gets healthy and gets back to playing the game he loves to play."

 

 

Our lineup is back...too bad out pitching isn't. :dunno:

[jsinger121]

why are u starting a gameday thread?

[BoSox34]

why are u starting a gameday thread?

 

Hmm..well there's a game tonight and this is a red sox message board, and usually there are game threads to talk about the games. Any other questions?

[CrespoBlows]

Hmm..well there's a game tonight and this is a red sox message board, and usually there are game threads to talk about the games. Any other questions?

 

YOU'RE BREAKING THE MOJO!! BASTARD!

 

(Seriously, if we lose it will be because Kason Gabbard is pitching, not because of BoSox34)

[yankeessuck013]

RSR has to keep the mojo going.

[BoSox34]

Vazquez isn't consistent and he can be very wild from time to time so hopefully Gabbard can at least keep us in the game and we can depend on the offense to do the rest of the work.

[jsinger121]

Hmm..well there's a game tonight and this is a red sox message board, and usually there are game threads to talk about the games. Any other questions?

 

Ya its RSR job to make the thread after a win.

[RedSoxRooter]

Yeah, sorry I was so late today. Was just about to post it but then saw this one.

 

:dunno:

[RedSoxRooter]

from Riverside. Thanks.

 

Here's the pitcher vs batter matchups, Im off to work. Hopefully it wont be a long one

 

Javier Vaszquez (6 games vs Boston, 1-3 record with a 4.73 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 3 games, 0-2 record with a 6.00 ERA)

Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 1, K

Mark Loretta, 11 for 32 (.344 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 7 Ks

David Ortiz, 4 for 12 (.333 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 3 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 4 for 13 (.308 avg) 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks

Trot Nixon, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) RBI, K

Mike Lowell, 12 for 37 (.324 avg) 5 Doubles, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 Walks, 8 Ks

Doug Mirabelli, 4 for 9 (.444 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, K

Coco Crisp, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) HR, 2 RBIs

Alex Gonzalez, 11 for 28 (.393 avg) 4 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 Walks, 7 Ks

///

Alex Cora, 4 for 14 (.286 avg) RBI, 2 Ks

Eric Hinske, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) 2 RBIs, Walk, K

Gabe Kapler, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) K, SB

Javy Lopez, 9 for 46 (.196 avg) Double, HR, 4 RBIs, 5 Walks, 16 Ks

Carlos Pena, 0 for 5, 2 Ks

Wily Mo Pena, 0 for 1

Jason Varitek, 0 for 10, Walk, 5 Ks

 

Kason Gabbard (1st career appearance vs Chicago---1st career appearance at Fenway Park)

[RedSoxRooter]

Ya its RSR job to make the thread after a win.

 

Well, thanks to Bosox34, I'll probably be able to start one up tomorrow.

[schillingouttheks]

I was all excited for another Red Sox win tonight....

 

...then I saw RSR didn't start the thread

[jsinger121]

Here's the lineups:

 

Red Sox

1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

2. Mark Loretta, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Trot Nixon, RF

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Coco Crisp 8

8. Doug Mirabelli 2

9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

-- Kason Gabbard, SP

 

White Sox

1. Pablo Ozuna, LF

2. Tadahito Iguchi, 2B

3. Joe Crede, 3B

4. Jim Thome, DH

5. Paul Konerko, 1B

6. AJ Pierzynski, C

7. Brian Anderson, CF

8. Juan Uribe, SS

9. Ryan Sweeney, RF

-- Javier Vazquez, SP

[MC Hammer]

At least the Sox can't lose tonight.

[BoSox34]

At least the Sox can't lose tonight.

 

good point

[Cocos Disciples]

Hope to get 5 in.

[jsinger121]

I think right now the big news has to be the Papelbon situation. He had his MRI earlier today and we still have no results on it. I have concerns it could be something bad because if it was not bad they would have already come out with the results. Anything that has to do with the Labrum or Rotator Cuff and his career could be in jeopardy.

[Cocos Disciples]

s***. I didnt know it was that serious.

[jsinger121]

I'm just speculating but its very concerning when they have not announced anything yet. It has to be something serious if they are holding off the results of the MRI.

[ORS]

Mojo appreciation is at an all-time low. What's next? Dogs and cats playing together? It'll be anarchy.

[CrespoBlows]

I think right now the big news has to be the Papelbon situation. He had his MRI earlier today and we still have no results on it. I have concerns it could be something bad because if it was not bad they would have already come out with the results. Anything that has to do with the Labrum or Rotator Cuff and his career could be in jeopardy.

 

In this day and age? He'll miss a year at most.

[schillingouttheks]

And Coco continues to do nothing for us.

[RedSoxRooter]

The only reason Gabbard is pitching this well is because one of his friends told him that RSR was starting the gamethread tonight.

[schillingouttheks]

Iguchi is such a little bitch.

[schillingouttheks]

GREAT PLAY BY LOWELL AND YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK.

[schillingouttheks]

Tina Cervasio just said that Papelbon has no tear or anything, it's just a fatigued arm. He'll undergo a strengthening program, and there is no timetable for his return.

[Anuj09]

heh dp by Konerko

[schillingouttheks]

How many times has Konerko GIDP tonight?

 

Nevermind, Remy answered my question. Twice.

[schillingouttheks]

Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk!

 

Damn, some great defense tonight (minus the error).

[jsinger121]

Its a relief about Papelbon. I might still consider shutting him down for 2006. Also a great performance by Gabbard tonight.

[schillingouttheks]

The ChiSox have been outpitched by Tavarez and Gabbard and a depleted Red Sox bullpen. They are quickly fading.