David Ortiz Homers Twice, Gets 2000th Hit, as Boston Blasts Tigers, 20-4; Pablo Sandoval Homers Three Times as Giants Pound Padres

Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 4, 2013

American League

Ortiz: 2000 Hits

It was a night to remember in Boston, as the Red Sox murdered the Detroit Tigers with eight home runs in a 20-4 rout.

David Ortiz had two homers and a double, collecting his 2,000th hit with the RBI two-bagger in the sixth inning. Boston sent 11 players to the plate in the frame, breaking open a 5-4 game with eight runs. Will Middlebrooks accounted for four runs with a grand slam in the midst of the inning.

"Big Papi" Ortiz hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-all and homered again in the seventh inning with a man aboard, giving him four RBI for the game and 89 on the season, seventh in the AL.

The 20 runs were the most scored by any team in a game this season in the majors and the Red Sox did it on 19 hits and four walks. Boston's eight homers tied a franchise record.

The victory completed a 2-1 series win for the Red Sox over the Central division-leading Tigers. Despite losing their last two games, the Tigers still maintain a 6 1/2 game lead over Cleveland in the division. Boston kept Tampa Bay 5 1/2 back in the East and begin a four-game series in New York with the Yankees (8 1/2 back) on Thursday.

National League

Sandoval: 3HR, 6RBI

Completely out of playoff contention, the San Francisco Giants took out some of their frustrations on their neighbors down the coast, hammering the host San Diego Padres, 13-5.

Pablo Sandoval sent three balls over the walls at Petco Park, driving in six runs with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, a solo shot in the eighth and capped off his night with a three-run blast in the ninth. He also singled to go 4-for-6 with three runs and six RBI.

San Francisco's win avoided a sweep by the Padres in the three game series. San Diego had beaten the Giants, 4-1 on Mondya and 3-2 on Tuesday prior to the Giants' 17-hit outburst Wednesday night.

Today's Trivia: 1998 was the last time the National League hits leader totaled more hits than the leader in the American League (Alex Rodriguez, 213). Who was that NL hits leader? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Actually, Pete Rose and Tony Gwynn each led the National League in hits seven times.