Photo: AP
So here we are, 3 games into the season and the answer to my 'How long of a leash will Boston fans give Ortiz?' question has been answered. 3 games...11 at-bats (1 hit, 1 RBI) and the talk begins. I understand he had stranded 8 runners in scoring position in the Yankees series. I understand he keeps hitting into the shift, but he is getting good wood on the ball when he lines to the 2nd baseman playing RF. I don't understand why fans can't give this guy more than one series. Take last season out of the equation because it is LAST SEASON! Some fans are giving him some breathing room but the media is pounding him.
Here is Tito's stand after last nights game.
“Tonight would have been a good night to play [Mike] Lowell,’’ the manager acknowledged. “But it would have been a bad night not to play David. You can’t use two DHs."
“David’s had a lot of success against [Andy] Pettitte. We’re nine hours into this season and I want him to walk up there and feel comfortable. I don’t want David looking over his shoulder a game and a half into the season."
JD Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury have also struggled a bit at the plate to start the season. Drew is 2-12 (2 singles and 3 K's) and Ellsbury is 3-15 with 4 K's, and 2 runs. There are going to be slow starts to a season, so lets let these guys breathe. Maybe Ortiz needs to lay down a couple of bunts down the third base line to get it back together.
