Ortiz Puts Emphatic End to Boston’s Win

David Ortiz hit a game-ending, three-run home run in the ninth inning Monday night to give the Boston Red Sox a 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians that kept them in sole possession of first place in the American League East.

Ortiz, who also hit a home run in the third, got his second game-ending hit in three days and fifth of the year. It was his 12th in four seasons with Boston, most in the majors during that span. He leads the majors with 37 home runs this year, and he tied a club record with 14 homers in a month.

Ortiz’s one-out drive to center field followed a single by Alex Cora, a walk to Kevin Youkilis and a popout by Mark Loretta. It came on a 2-0 count against Fausto Carmona (1-5) and helped the Red Sox overcome two homers and five RBIs by Casey Blake.

It also was Ortiz’s eighth game-ending homer of his career and his seventh with the Red Sox.

Kyle Snyder (3-2) got the win with 4 1/3 innings of one-hit relief after replacing David Wells. Boston took a one-game lead over the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox also got homers from Manny Ramirez and Wily Mo Pena, but Wells struggled in his first start since being struck on the right knee by a liner on May 26. He gave up eight runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Blake hit a leadoff homer in the second, a sacrifice fly in the third and a three-run homer in the fifth that put Cleveland ahead, 8-6. Blake has 14 homers and three two-homer games this season.

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek left because of a twisted left knee in the third. Backup Doug Mirabelli entered the game with a .182 batting average.