DAVID ORTIZ RUMORS & GOSSIP

Editor’s note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days. The Red Sox will certainly be a little bummed out to be leaving Fenway Park upon wrapping up a seven-game homestand, but no one will be as sad as David Ortiz to head out on the road. The Boston designated...

David Ortiz was the captain of last year's American League Home Run Derby squad that earned a victory at Chase Field, and he's become a staple in the event over the years. Don't expect to see the Red Sox DH taking any cuts at this year's midsummer event, though. Ortiz told WEEI.com on Wednesday that he will not participate in this year's Home Run Derby if asked...

The Red Sox have come back from the dead. They are 13-5 since David Ortiz called a players-only meeting May 11, even managing to get above .500 for the first time this season after a 6-3 win over the Tigers on Tuesday night. You can't put together a run like that without your top hitters producing. On Wednesday night, the Sox had very little going off Drew Smyly until Adrian...

BOSTON (AP) -- David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks each hit two-run homers, Kevin Youkilis had a solo shot and the surging Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Wednesday night. The Red Sox have won for the 14th time in 19 games but remain in last in a jammed AL East. Miguel Cabrera went 4 for 5 with three doubles and drove in a run for Detroit, which has dropped the first...

David Ortiz (pictured), Will Middlebrooks each hit 2-run home runs in a 4-run Red Sox 4th inning, and Kevin Youkilis smacked a solo shot in the 8th as Boston topped the Tigers for the 3rd straight game 6-4 at Fenway Park.Jon Lester pitched 6.2 innings; he was charged with 4 runs on 10 hits. He struck out 7 and didn't walk a batter. Matt Albers got the win in relief (blown save...

BOSTON (AP) -- David Ortiz homered and hit two doubles, and the Boston Red Sox moved above .500 for the first time this season, tagging Justin Verlander for 10 hits in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Verlander (5-3) lost his second straight start since taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Pittsburgh on May 18. The reigning American League MVP and...

David Ortiz homered and hit two doubles, and the Boston Red Sox moved above .500 for the first time this season, tagging Justin Verlander for 10 hits in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Verlander (5-3) lost his second straight start since taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Pittsburgh on May 18. The reigning American League MVP and Cy Young winner...

It could be a complete coincidence, but the Red Sox have played particularly well since David Ortiz called a players-only meeting for the team back on May 11. Since that day, Boston has gone 12-5 — their best stretch of baseball this season. The most obvious reason for Ortiz’s meeting was that his team was well under .500 and playing horribly. As we recently found out...

Editor's note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days. David Ortiz was scorching at the plate to begin the season, hitting .405 in April. The Red Sox DH has cooled off a bit recently, though, which is something he'll look to change against the...

The Boston Red Sox are following David Ortiz's lead -- on the field and off. Two weeks ago, Ortiz called the team meeting that has precipitated nine wins in 11 games and a return to .500. Monday night, he kick-started one of the most satisfying victories of the season with a titanic home run onto Eutaw Street that helped the Red Sox overcome a 5-2 deficit in an 8-6 victory...