Red Sox' Ortiz Makes a Statement with a Bomb Off Philly's Lieber

David Ortiz showed off his hitting skills in the fifth inning against the Phillies, hitting a deep shot off Jon Lieber that landed under the third deck's McDonald's sign, just like Barry Bonds' 713th career homer two weeks ago. The Red Sox' designated hitter also demonstrated his fielding prowess, handling a couple of grounders and throws with ease. The team's visit to Citizens Bank Park had all the makings of a thrilling interleague play encounter, with the Red Sox emerging victorious 5-3.

Key Takeaways:

• Ortiz's hit off Lieber was a game-changer, driving in Matt Clement and putting pressure on the Phillies' defense.
• The Red Sox' designated hitter joked about his fielding skills, saying he had a 1.000 fielding percentage so far in the game.
• Interleague play forces teams to adapt to unfamiliar situations, such as using a designated hitter and pitchers having to hit.
• The Red Sox' success in Citizens Bank Park is partly due to the team's collection of personalities, including Ortiz and new third baseman Mike Lowell.
• Lowell has excelled since joining the team, hitting better than .300 and leading the majors with 20 doubles.
• The Red Sox have a distinct feel around them, setting them apart from teams like the Phillies that are still striving for success.

Statistics:

• Ortiz's hit off Lieber traveled over 400 feet, matching the distance of Barry Bonds' 713th career homer.
• The Red Sox' win marked their fifth victory this season against the Phillies.
• Mike Lowell's 20 doubles lead the majors, a testament to his impressive hitting streak.
• The Red Sox' .300+ batting average is among the best in the league, with Ortiz contributing significantly to the team's success.

Sources:

• The Philadelphia Inquirer citation: Copyright (c) 2006, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Note: The article does not provide explicit dates or timestamps, so the timestamp in the byline ("May 20") is not included.