David Ortiz hit his 498th career home run, a three-run shot to cap Alan Ball Limited Jersey a four-run third inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat AL East-leading Toronto 10-4 on Wednesday night, sending the Blue Jays to just their second series loss since late July.
The 39-year-old Ortiz is looking to become the 27th player in major league history with 500 homers.
Earlier on this homestand, Ortiz set a club record by reaching 30 homers in a season for the ninth time with Boston. Hall of Famer Ted Williams owned the previous mark with eight.
It was Ortiz's 32nd homer of the season, and his 59th career against Toronto, most of any opponent.
Mookie Betts had a solo http://www.authenticphilliesshop.com/authentic-6-ryan-howard-jersey.html homer and drove in three runs, and Ryan Hanigan had three hits and three RBIs for Boston, which posted its ninth win in 13 games by taking two of three from Toronto.
Despite the loss, the Blue Jays maintained a 1 1-2 game lead over New York, which lost 5-3 to Baltimore. Toronto heads to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series, beginning Thursday night.
The Blue Jays are 28-9 since July 30, going 9-2-1 in 12 series.
Joe Kelly (10-6) won his eighth consecutive start, the longest stretch by a Boston pitcher since Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez won nine straight in 1999.
Ortiz drove a 2-0 fastball from Drew Hutchison (13-4) into the bleachers in center field. It was his 32nd of the season, and 59th in his career against the Blue Jays, most by any opponent. He's looking to become the 27th player all-time with 500 homers.
Kelly gave up one run and six hits in 5 2-3 innings.
Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion had an RBI single and reached base for a club-record Dave Dravecky Black Jersey 39th straight game, surpassing Carlos Delgado's 38 in 1998. Chris Colabello hit a three-run homer.
It's been a disappointing year for Boston Red Sox fans, but there's still a chance to celebrate before the season ends. Designated hitter David Ortiz is inching closer to reaching 500 home runs for his career, and should reach that goal at some point in September.
Ortiz belted No. 494 on Sunday, prompting the Red Sox to put up a banner in left field that would count down his home runs until he reached that magical number.
Ortiz came dangerously close to hitting the banner the Red Sox put up for him. It was as if he were saying, "I hate that banner, I want it to be gone and I will do everything in my power to make that happen quickly."
Ortiz's run to No. 500 is somewhat amazing considering his career. While he showed some promise with the Minnesota Twins, Ortiz didn't develop into an All-Star until his age-28 season in Boston.
Given his late start and body type, few expected he would continue producing at this rate this late in his career. Ortiz's batting average has fallen off, sure, but he can still get on base and provide power at an above-average clip. Few players can do that at his age.
Ortiz will continue to build Golden Tate III Nike Jerseys his case. The Red Sox hold club options on Ortiz's contract through 2017. Next year's option may have already been guaranteed, giving him at least another season to pad his stats.