Big Papi Leads Sox Past Mariners and Sets DH Record

David Ortiz doubled in his first at-bat to become baseball's all-time leader in hits as a designated hitter and hit a two-run homer an inning later, leading the Boston Red Sox to an 11-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Ortiz entered the night tied with Harold Baines for the most hits as a DH and it took just one at-bat to claim the record. Ortiz doubled to left-center field to lead off the second inning and was acknowledged by a standing ovation from the mix of Red Sox and Mariners fans.

An inning later, Ortiz collected his eighth hit of the series with a two-run homer off Seattle starter Aaron Harang (4-8), his 19th this season.

Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, currently the best in baseball, and the Red Sox knocked around Harang for seven runs and eight hits.

Ortiz has passed Harold Baines to become Major League Baseball's career leader in hits by a designated hitter.

Ortiz collected his 1,689th hit as a DH when he doubled to left-center field leading off the second inning Wednesday night against the Seattle Mariners. Ortiz received a loud ovation from the fans at Safeco Field when the milestone was shown on the video board and tipped his cap in appreciation.

Ortiz already holds marks for the most runs scored, doubles, home runs, extra-base hits and RBIs by a designated hitter. Ortiz entered Wednesday night on a roll, hitting .403 at the plate over his previous 20 games. He had four hits on Tuesday night to tie Baines' mark, including two doubles and a home run.