0-7, 3 ks and 12 men left on base. Ay Dios Mio!
Ortiz, for several seasons and countless playoff games, has injected Red Sox games with drama and fans with elation, his larger-than-life persona turning him into a near-cartoon hero. Yesterday, he was something else. More than at any point since he came to the Sox in 2003, Ortiz looked frail and human.
"I'm sorry, guys," Oritz said. "I don't feel like talking right now. Just put down, 'Papi stinks.' "
In a season chocked with frustration, Ortiz yesterday reached a nadir. He went 0 for 7 and left 12 men on base, which tied a team record, in a 5-4, 12-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels. He was the last out of an inning four times. He struck out three times, including with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning.
[Snip]
For now, Ortiz remains the Red Sox' designated hitter and their third batter in the lineup. Capable hitters surround Ortiz in the order, ensuring he'll have chances to blast out of his slump. The question is, how much longer can the Sox afford to wait?
