David Ortiz homered and hit two doubles, and the Boston Red Sox moved above .500 for the first time this season, tagging Justin Verlander for 10 hits in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers last night.
The Red Sox improved to 25-24, finally achieving a winning record after going 0-6 in games that could have put them above .500. Boston fans had to wait a while to enjoy the moment because of a 38-minute rain delay with one out in the bottom of the eighth.
Daniel Bard (5-5) pitched 5 1/3 innings for Boston, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
Verlander came in with 16 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings against Boston, but the streak ended in the second when Ortiz led off with a double off the Green Monster and scored on a fielder’s choice by Mike Aviles, who avoided a double play by beating out Peralta’s throw.
NOTES: Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia did not play last night after jamming his right thumb in Monday’s win over the Tigers. Manager Bobby Valentine said Pedroia aggravated a pre-existing injury to his thumb and underwent an MRI but the results were not yet available. ... Verlander pitched at least six innings for the 53rd straight start, dating to Aug. 22, 2010. It marks the longest such streak by a pitcher since Steve Carlton’s 69-game run between 1979-82. ... This was the longest the Red Sox took to go above .500 since 1996, when Boston finally improved to 66-65 on Aug. 25. ... Red Sox OF Carl Crawford said he is about 10 days away from starting to throw as he continues his rehab from a sore left elbow.