David Ortiz hit a three-run homer high over the Pesky Pole in the eighth inning, helping the Boston Red Sox rally for a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
Ortiz's second homer was heading down the right-field line before it curled around the pole just 302 feet from home plate. Ortiz remained in the batter's box until first-base umpire Jerry Meals signaled a home run.
Rangers manager Ron Washington came out after Ortiz crossed the plate to ask for a review. After 44.1 seconds, the play was upheld.
Andrew Miller (1-0) earned the victory despite allowing the Rangers to score the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth. Koji Uehara pitched the ninth for his second save. Alexi Ogando (0-1) allowed two runs in the loss.
The Red Sox scored in the third inning on two walks and a swinging bunt single that was thrown away for an error by pitcher Robbie Ross. The Rangers tied it in the seventh on Mitch Moreland's homer and took a 2-1 lead in the eighth when Elvis Andrus scored on Alex Rios' sacrifice fly.
But Ogando walked Jackie Bradley Jr. to lead off the bottom half, and then A.J. Pierzynski blooped a popup down the right-field line that fell in for a single. One out later, Ortiz lined a 1-1 pitch from Neal Cotts down the line and into the seats that jut out from the pole to the right-field corner.
Because the ball sailed much higher than the pole that determines fair from foul, it was not clear -- even to Ortiz -- whether the homer would count. Meals signaled fair, and the Rangers immediately looked to the dugout to see if Washington would appeal.
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After a brief chat with home plate umpire Jordan Baker, the crew went to the visitors' dugout and returned a short time later to confirm the original ruling.
Boston starter Jake Peavy earned another no-decision, leaving in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game. Miller pitched one inning for the win.
Ogando struck out four but was charged with two runs on one hit and a walk in two innings.
