Ortiz’s Two Homers Lift Red Sox Over Blue Jays

David Ortiz hit two home runs Monday night, including a drive in the 11th inning that gave the Boston Red Sox a 6-5 win over the Blue Jays at Toronto.

“He’s unbelievable,” Boston Manager Terry Francona said. “On a night when you are on the road and you give up the lead, and you find a way to win, that’s enormous.”

Manny Ramirez also homered for the Red Sox, who bounced back after wasting a 5-0 lead. They moved 3 1/2 games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

Ortiz hit a solo homer against Ted Lilly in the fourth before his go-ahead drive against Pete Walker (6-5), which gave him his eighth multihomer game this season. Ortiz has 40 homers, one short of the career high he set last year, and joined Carl Yastrzemski (1969 and ‘70) as the only Boston players with consecutive 40-homer seasons.

Jonathan Papelbon (1-1) pitched three hitless innings for his first major league victory.

“It’s his first time in the big leagues, but he pitches like he’s been around forever,” Ortiz said. “He reminds me of Roger Clemens, the attitude, the arm. When he gets more experience, he’s going to be filthy. He’s filthy already.”

Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon didn’t play because of a sore left shoulder and is to return to Boston for an MRI exam.

Minnesota 2, Detroit 1 -- Kyle Lohse won in his first start since a tirade after his early removal from a game. Lohse (9-12) gave up one run and six hits in seven innings at Detroit. Last Tuesday, Lohse damaged the door to Manager Ron Gardenhire’s office with a bat after being pulled from a game after two innings.

The pair met for about half an hour Friday and said they had settled their differences.

“He’s got the ball tonight,” Gardenhire said before the game. “Just go out and pitch the best you can and go on.”

Baltimore 4, Texas 2 -- Daniel Cabrera struck out seven at Arlington, Texas, to win his second consecutive start since coming off the disabled list, and the Orioles scored twice on a dropped fly ball.

Baltimore had two runners on in the second when Geronimo Gil hit a fly to right. Ranger outfielder Kevin Mench got his glove up to make the catch, but the ball hit off the top of the webbing and rolled into the right-field corner. Two runs scored and Baltimore led, 3-1.