For nearly a decade, it was a certainty that David Ortiz would only need his first baseman’s mitt for a road Interleague or World Series game, in which the Red Sox did not have the designated hitter. But things changed on Sunday, as the slugger got the nod at first and the heavily-slumping Mike Napoli was on the bench.
Hanley Ramirez served as the designated hitter. This was Ortiz’s first start at first base in a game being played under American League rules since June 22, 2006, at Seattle.
“Well, today’s lineup I think gives us the best lineup we can put on the field,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell.