Wright throws 3-hitter, Red Sox beat Dodgers 9-0
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Knuckleballer Steven Wright dazzled in a three-hitter, Mookie Betts had one of Boston's three homers and the Red Sox cruised to a 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night with David Ortiz out of the lineup in an NL park.
Wright (13-5) had nine strikeouts in his third complete game this season. He retired 15 in a row during one stretch and won his fifth straight decision.
Sandy Leon hit a two-run homer in the fourth and had four RBIs. The switch-hitting Leon has had an outstanding summer, batting .467 in June and .355 in July.
Travis Shaw also homered, connecting for the 14th time this season.
Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir (9-5) has lost two straight since a 13-start unbeaten streak. He allowed four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Betts hit a solo home run in the third inning, his 23rd of the year, and Shaw, who replaced Dustin Pedroia in the lineup after Pedroia left the game with a left shin bruise, hit a solo homer in the eighth to give Boston a 5-0 lead.
Ortiz wasn't in the lineup, but he was on the field as the Dodgers honored him in a pregame ceremony. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute while Ortiz stood with former teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Adrian Gonzalez and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
The Dodgers presented Ortiz with a $10,000 check to his foundation, The David Ortiz Children's Fund. Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, matched the donation.
Ortiz is expected back in the lineup Saturday. He'll play first base.
"I think that the risk and the reward is high," manager John Farrell said. "David was on the field last year in interleague play. We had held off for obvious reasons, but with a right-hander in there (Saturday) sandwiched by two left-handers, (we) felt like it was a good day to get him on the field."
Pedroia was hit by Kazmir's pitch in the shin in the third inning and is day-to-day.
WELCOME TO TOWN
Newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick got his first taste of driving in Los Angeles traffic going to the stadium from Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb.
"For me it took four entrances and three wrong turns to get here, but I made it," Reddick said. "I'll learn eventually."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: Ryan Hanigan was forced to leave Thursday night's game against the Mariners after taking a pitch off his left ankle. For Friday night, he was available only in the case of an emergency. Boston claimed Bryan Holaday off waivers from the Texas Rangers to solidify its catching corps.
Dodgers: Ace Clayton Kershaw (back) and outfielder Trayce Thompson (lower back) will both be out until at least September. ... Bud Norris (mid-back strain) will be placed on the disabled list to make room for Ross Stripling, who will start in his place on Saturday.
MINOR LEAGUE WATCH
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has yet to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said he hadn't reported yet because "he's still got some loose ends to tie up, but he'll be there." When asked what those were, Roberts said: "I don't know. That's his business, right?" Puig was told before the trade deadline that he would either be traded or sent to the minor leagues.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) has a 2.63 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on July 16.
Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA) gets his first start since May 19. He had a 1.54 ERA in four appearances as a reliever since and has also made five starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A.