Ortiz still in search of that elusive first hit

ESPN.com

Updated: April 1, 2008

PAPI'S BAT SILENT

By Mark Simon, ESPN Research

The Red Sox returned to action stateside on Tuesday and while Daisuke Matsuzaka looked a little sharper than in his first start, David Ortiz still continued to search for his first hit of the season.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
• Blue Jays at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Ortiz went 0-for-4 and slipped to 0-for-11 in the first three games, the worst start in his Red Sox career. But be patient, Boston fans. Ortiz did start his Red Sox career pretty slowly. At the end of his first month in Boston back in 2003, Ortiz was hitting .212 with one home run. But things turned around pretty significantly after that.

Of course, the difference now is that Ortiz is a bit older and it has to be in the back of some peoples' minds that his skills may be dropping at least a little bit.

HOW IT'S ALL BEGUN FOR ORTIZ
Year Got first hit End of April
2008 0-for-11 ?
2007 First at-bat .297 batting average, seven home runs
2006 Second at-bat .278 batting average, 10 home runs
2005 First at-bat .256 batting average, seven home runs
2004 Third at-bat .301 batting average, five home runs
2003 Seventh at-bat .212 batting average, one home run

FORWARD THINKING: WEDNESDAY

• Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET: Jeff Suppan will oppose Ted Lilly in the second of three games between the teams. Suppan was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last season. Lilly allowed 19 home runs in 19 home starts for the Cubs last year.

• Rays at Orioles, 7:05 p.m. ET: Matt Garza, acquired from the Twins for Delmon Young this past offseason, will make his first start for Tampa Bay. The righty had a 3.69 ERA in 16 games for the Twins last season. Daniel Cabrera will go for the Orioles. He led the majors in losses (18) and walks (108) last season.

• Diamondbacks at Reds, 7:10 p.m. ET: Dan Haren will get his first start for Arizona since being acquired this past offseason. He made one start against the Reds last year while pitching for the A's and earned a victory after allowing three runs in seven innings. Bronson Arroyo will counter for Cincinnati. He was 6-5 with a 4.47 ERA in 16 starts at home last season.

• Astros at Padres, 10:05 p.m. ET: Greg Maddux will bid for his 348th career victory and is coming off a season in which he was 14-11 in 34 starts for the Padres. He'll be opposed by Wandy Rodriguez, who earned a win in his only start against San Diego last season.


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BBTN ON THE AIR: WEDNESDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN2		 Host: Karl Ravech
Analysts: Steve Phillips, Fernando Vina, Peter Gammons
Midnight ET
ESPN2		 Host: Karl Ravech
Analysts: Steve Phillips, Fernando Vina

BASEBALL TONIGHT MINUTE: PEDRO'S INJURY

TUESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
Angels• The Angels pounded out 14 hits -- six for extra bases -- en route to a 9-1 drubbing of the Twins. Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Howie Kendrick had three hits apiece for the Angels.
BAD
Astros• The Giants' bullpen blew a 2-0 lead, allowing the Dodgers to score three runs over the final three innings in L.A.'s 3-2 win over San Francisco.
UGLY
Astros• The Astros have scored one run in their first two games combined -- both losses to the Padres. Houston is batting .159 as a team thus far.

GARLAND'S DEBUT WITH ANGELS A SUCCESS