Boston, MA (Sports Network) - David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre, and J.D. Drew each homered, as the Red Sox used a seven-run fifth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 10-6, in Manny Ramirez's much-anticipated return to Boston.
Ramirez, who spent 7 1/2 years with the Red Sox, received a mixed reaction from the Boston crowd. It seemed like there was more cheers for the enigmatic slugger, who was the MVP of Boston's memorable 2004 World Series championship that ended the franchise's dreaded 84-year drought.
The Red Sox traded Ramirez to Los Angeles in July of 2008. Some fans felt he quit on the team towards the end of his stay because he wanted out. On Friday night, Ramirez was the designated hitter and went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts against his former club.
Ramirez's return overshadowed Felix Doubront's major league debut for Boston. The 22-year-old lefty wasn't particularly sharp, to say the least, but the Red Sox's high-powered offense helped him get the win. Doubront (1-0) went five- plus innings, allowing five runs -- three earned -- on six hits. He also fanned two batters and walked two.
Five players finished with two hits for Boston, which was coming off a three- game sweep of the Diamondbacks.
James Loney knocked in two runs for the Dodgers, who have dropped two in a row and five of seven overall. Garret Anderson hit a solo homer for Los Angeles, which got an RBI apiece from Russell Martin and Matt Kemp.
Carlos Monasterios (3-2) got rocked in four-plus innings, giving up six runs on eight hits to take the loss. He also struck out two and walked two.