Ortiz's homer in 9th caps Red Sox rally

BOSTON — David Ortiz gave the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles a taste of what Boston's other rivals got during last year's World Series run.

The Red Sox designated hitter hit a game-winning homer on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, giving Boston a 6-4 victory over Baltimore. It was the fifth game-ending homer of Ortiz's career — including two in the 2004 playoffs.

"He's getting comfortable with being in that situation," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "Like a basketball player who takes the shot at the buzzer, he relishes that. And he's taken a lot of good swings."

The Orioles took the lead in the top of the ninth without hitting a ball out of the infield against Keith Foulke (3-3), scoring the tiebreaking run when Rafael Palmeiro beat out a potential double-play ball. But Mark Bellhorn reached on an infield single to third with one out in the bottom half and, with two outs, Edgar Renteria bunted for a single.

Ortiz worked the count to 3-1, swung and missed once, fouled another off and then hit the seventh pitch he saw from B.J. Ryan (0-1) into the center-field bleachers. Ortiz was greeted at home plate by a bouncing throng of teammates — a scene that became familiar during last year's playoffs.

"That's the only way I can get people to know who I am — going out there and producing," Ortiz said.

Asked if he really thought there was anyone in Boston who didn't know him, Ortiz cracked, "A child that's just born today."

It was Ortiz's 13th homer of the year, but the first for Boston in four games.

TWINS 4, INDIANS 3 (13): At Minneapolis, Johan Santana tied a career high with 14 strikeouts, and Jacque Jones' single in the 13th inning gave Minnesota a victory over Cleveland.

Lew Ford's hustle turned his base hit off Rafael Betancourt (1-2) into a one-out double in the 13th. Two batters later, Jones hit a liner to right and Ford raced around third, beating Casey Blake's throw to the plate.

TIGERS 6, RANGERS 5 (10): At Detroit, Craig Monroe singled home Ivan Rodriguez with the winning run in the 10th inning, and Detroit rallied past Texas.

Rondell White homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers, who snapped Texas' nine-game winning streak Wednesday night.

ROYALS 5, YANKEES 2: At Kansas City, the lowly Royals completed a stunning sweep of New York behind consecutive home runs from Matt Stairs and Terrence Long.