David Ortiz broke a 68-year-old franchise home run record Thursday night to help end visiting Minnesota’s three-hour stay in first place.
Boston’s designated hitter slammed his 51st and 52nd homers of the season, and the Red Sox sent Twins ace Johan Santana to his first loss since the All-Star break with a 6-0 win.
“Great feeling, especially doing it here at home in front of my fans,” Ortiz said.
Minnesota entered the game with a .001 lead in the AL Central over Detroit, which lost an afternoon game at Baltimore 4-3. It was the first time the Twins had led the division this season after the Tigers were alone in the top spot since May 20.
Ortiz hit solo shots in the first inning off Santana and in the seventh of Matt Guerrier.
“I’m very proud of all he’s accomplished in his career. It’s unbelievable,” said Santana, who came up in the Twins system with Ortiz.
– The ball Ortiz hit Wednesday night for his 50th homer will be auctioned on the team’s Web site starting Friday, with proceeds going to charity.
On the move
The Cubs ended their nine-year Double-A Southern League affiliation with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in Jackson, about 75 miles northeast of Memphis, signing a two-year contract with the Tennessee Smokies in Sevierville, a mountain resort town about 20 miles east of Knoxville.
