David Ortiz Hits His 500th Home Run

Playing the Rays, Boston’s David Ortiz hit his 500th home run and became the 27th major leaguer to reach that milestone. Credit Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

 David Ortiz homered twice to become the 27th player in major league history to hit 500 home runs, leading the Red Sox to a 10-4 win at Tampa Bay.

With an overflow crowd in the right-field stands on its feet and chanting “Let’s go, Papi!” Ortiz reached the milestone when he lined a shot to right-center on a 2-2 pitch from Matt Moore to lead off the fifth inning.

He connected for No. 499 in the first, driving a fastball from Moore over the right-field wall for a three-run shot.

“Tonight, I got two pitches that I don’t see too much, especially from the Rays. When they miss, they miss off the plate,” Ortiz said. “As a hitter, we make our living off of pitchers’ mistake.”

Ortiz, 39, took his usual lengthy jaunt around the bases after his 500th home run cleared the fence, and then brought his fingers to his lips and pointed to the sky as he crossed the plate. His teammates came out of the dugout and the bullpen to greet him with hugs. The Rays acknowledged the accomplishment on the video board. He joined Albert Pujols as the only players to hit Nos. 499 and 500 in the same game.

Ortiz had originally been scheduled to be off on Saturday, but he told the interim manager Torey Lovullo that he felt good. Ortiz entered the game hitting .421 in 19 at-bats against Moore. He added a single in the seventh and was removed from the game for a pinch-runner.