MLB Tribune

David Ortiz Off to a Bad Start

by Scooter on 04/07/2010 in MLB News, Red Sox Blogs

David Ortiz, is already off to a bad start going 0-7 in 2 games and he has looked like a fish out of water. I would not panic yet, but then again he did have a horrid start last year.

Last season, Ortiz had one homer, 21 RBIs and a .188 batting average in his first 49 games. Then from June 6 to the end of the regular season, he led the AL with 27 homers, tied for the league lead with 78 RBIs and hit .266. But he finished at .238, and his 28 homers and 99 RBIs were the second fewest in his first seven seasons with Boston.

David Ortiz lost his cool just two hitless games into the season. Ortiz will remain in the Red Sox lineup Wednesday night.

After Boston lost 6-4 Tuesday night against the Yankees, Ortiz initially declined to talk with reporters. He then reacted to a question about his poor start.

“What’s up with that, man?” he said. In an expletive-filled tirade, the slugger said there were still 160 games left.

Before Wednesday’s game, manager Terry Francona reacted calmly to his star’s remarks. “Sometimes guys get touchy after a game,” he said. “That’s why I don’t normally pay much attention to it.”

David Ortiz will get his first hit tonight. Against Andy Pettitte he has a .367 career average in 49 at bats.