ST. LOUIS — David Ortiz got the Red Sox’s house in order with a few inspirational words Sunday night.
With the Red Sox scuffling offensively after five innings, Ortiz called an impromptu meeting in the dugout that helped fire up the team. Jonny Gomes hit a three-run homer the next inning, leading a 4-2 victory in Game 4 of the World Series.
“I think it just sums up the type of guy [Ortiz] is, the superstar he is, the teammate he is,” Gomes said. “If this guy wants to rally us together for a pep talk, it was like 24 kindergartners looking up at their teacher. He’s got everyone’s attention, and we looked him right in the eyes. That message was pretty powerful.”
Ortiz has been on-base in 12 of his 16 plate appearances in the Series and remains the focal point of this Boston lineup.
“Anytime this guy opens his mouth, everyone is locked in,” Gomes said. “Whatever comes out of his mouth is going to be meaningful, priceless and probably something you don’t know.”
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Shane Victorino informed the Red Sox during batting practice he felt stiffness in his lower back, and was subsequently scratched from the lineup. Gomes started in his place, with Daniel Nava shifting to right field.
“[Victorino] said, ‘Yeah, I’ll find a way to get ready to start the game,’ “ Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “And we went through the other work, it became obvious he wasn’t capable. And you know what, it turns out that his replacement is the difference in this one tonight with a three-run homer.”
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Allen Craig delivered a pinch-hit single in the ninth. Craig was “sore” after running the bases on Saturday — including scoring the game-winning run for the Cardinals — according to manager Mike Matheny, but an X-ray on his troublesome left foot was negative. Craig had to be helped from the field after scoring the game-winner Saturday.
“Absolutely admire a guy who has given everything he’s got when maybe his body doesn’t want to,” Matheny said. “That’s what a competitor does. That’s what this stage does to a competitor, also.”
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Ortiz has been “more than adequate” at first base when asked to play the position, according to Farrell.
“There’s no reluctance on our part to put him in the lineup, to keep him in the lineup and on the field at critical junctures of the game,” Farrell said. “He’s played the position for a long time, even though he’s regarded and looked upon as a DH.”
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The 12 combined pitchers used by the Red Sox and Cardinals on Saturday tied a World Series record for a nine-inning game. The Red Sox and Rockies used that many in Game 3 of the 2007 World Series. The Giants and Rangers also used 12 in Game 1 of the 2010 World Series.