BACK IN THE SWING

So much for that early season slump David Ortiz was in. Big Papi has been coming on strong for a few weeks and the Red Sox giant slugger was in full force on Sunday afternoon during an 11-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ortiz hit two home runs and drove in four runs leading the Boston charge. His solo shot in the third inning sent Boston out to a 3-2 lead. In the fifth Ortiz slammed a two run shot well over the Milwaukee bullpen and staked Boston to an 8-4 lead. Ortiz drove in Boston's first run of the game with a double in the first inning. Ortiz is now hitting .250 on the season with 10 homers and 37 runs driven in. This after finding the early going tough thru April 17th when his batting average was a mere .111. Since then Ortiz has steadily looked more and more comfortable at the plate, a site major league pitchers are not happy to see.

Boston also got solo homers by Dustin Pedroia (2) and Kevin Youkilis (9). Pedroia, Youkilis and Jason Varitek all had multiple hit games. All told, the Red Sox banged out 15 hits off five Milwaukee pitchers in completing a three-game sweep in their first matchup with a National League team this season. The victory coupled with a Tampa Bay loss now has Boston holding a one-game lead in the division and the best record in the American League.

The Red Sox needed those hits and runs as staff ace Josh Beckett again had a rocky outing. Beckett allowed six runs on six hits including three homers. Ryan Braun hit a pair off Beckett who did manage to pick up the win. He lasted seven innings and departed with the Red Sox holding an 11-6 advantage. Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon worked the final two innings. Beckett's record is now 5-3 with a 4.67 era.

That's three in a row for Boston who stay at Fenway Park for a four-game series with Kansas City beginning Monday.