By BRENDAN MCGAIR
Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET — David Ortiz wasn’t about to ease into his first night of rehabbing with the Pawtucket Red Sox.

“I’m going to try and hit home runs,” joked the Red Sox slugger after launching 12 home runs during his batting practice round.

While his promise wasn’t on the same level as Babe Ruth calling his own shot during the 1932 World Series, it turns out Ortiz was true to his word. Serving as Pawtucket’s designated hitter, Ortiz treated the packed house (crowd was announced at 11,460) to a solo home run as part of a 1-for-3 outing.

Ortiz’s power prowess was evidently contagious, for Pawtucket belted five home runs in a 15-6 bludgeoning of Toledo.

Taking his first game cuts since partially tearing a tendon in his left wrist 38 days ago in Baltimore, Ortiz came away pain-free and was generally upbeat with the way things unfolded.

“I saw pitches,” said Ortiz if the primary objective was accomplished. “That’s how you work on timing.”

All four of Ortiz’s at-bats (he walked in his final turn in the sixth inning and was lifted for a pinch runner) were met with thunderous “Papi” chants. When his night was officially over, he showed his appreciation by doffing his helmet.

Ortiz seemed to relish the opportunity to bring a touch of Fenway Park down I-95.  “It’s exactly what happens at Fenway,” said Ortiz, who last hit a minor-league homer nine years ago for Triple-A Salt Lake.
Ortiz saw four pitches in his first at-bat before lifting a popup to short. He was down 0-2 against Toledo starter Virgil Vasquez (seven runs in 3 1/3 innings) before driving a 78 mph offering out to right field for a round tripper.

Ortiz’s shot, which came in the fourth, barely cleared the wall before hopping into the Mud Hens bullpen. The blast touched off a celebration in the stands and helped jumpstart a seven-run inning for the PawSox.

“It felt good; that’s my game,” said Ortiz. “To put a swing like that after having an injury, it’s a good feeling.”

Ortiz's last offical at-bat was a sharp liner to first base, ending the fourth.   

Ortiz’s timetable originally called for him to play three games in Pawtucket before resting on Sunday. Yet after talking things over with Red Sox trainer Paul Lessard, Ortiz was cleared to play in the finale of the four-game set against the Mud Hens before heading up to Portland.

Ortiz arrived at McCoy shortly before 3, riding in the back seat of a white Escalade. He entered through the kitchen accompanied with an entourage of four before disappearing into the PawSox clubhouse.

“My boys drove me down,” said Ortiz when asked if he had any trouble finding McCoy.

Each day before batting practice, Johnson holds what he calls a “circle of trust,” which is a chance for the players and coaches to air out their feelings before batting practice. Thursday’s group session took place just to left of third base. Sporting a brand new PawSox batting practice cap and a Red Sox top, Ortiz jogged out to his new teammates. Not even 10 seconds passed before Johnson instructed the players to tighten up the circle.

Though what is uttered in the circle stays there, Johnson did utter, perhaps to Ortiz, to “give him some love.”

“You don’t want to know,” was Ortiz’s reply when asked if he could provide a G-rated version of the circle of trust.

Ortiz hit in the first group, which also featured catchers Dusty Brown and George Kottaras and Keith Ginter. Johnson nearly saw his life flash before his eyes when Ortiz sent a screaming liner in his direction. Fortunately Johnson ducked behind the screen just in time.

“I have no pain. I’ll play these games and hopefully go and help the big club,” said Ortiz, who was sporting a bandage on his wrist.

Apparently playing in the All-Star Game in Louisville the night prior didn’t take its toll on Chris Carter, Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey. The trio all hit home runs with Koattaras also joining in the home run parade. Gil Velazquez, who likely will see more time now that Jed Lowrie is stationed with the parent club, had two runs, two hits and three RBI.

Edgar Martinez took a two-hit shutout into the seventh before tiring some. He worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits en route to his fourth win. Martinez struck out five and walked two.
Justin Masterson, who replaced Martinez, was touched for two runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.