: OAKLAND --- The Red Sox clubhouse was mostly quiet following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics. But the action on David Ortiz's phone provided an indication that at least something special happened.
Ortiz swatted career home run No. 400 in the top of the fourth inning. And Big Papi's friends from around the league -- and there are many -- chimed in via text or voicemail.
"Oh yeah, my phone is still blowing up," said Ortiz. "I'd say around 30, 40 [messages], something like that. They're still kicking in."
His shot down the right-field line, which came against A's right-hander A.J. Griffin, tied the game at 1.
"It was in a big situation to tie the game," Ortiz said. "A lot of people were expecting that. It was just very exciting."
Few people could have expected it when the Minnesota Twins released Ortiz following the 2002 season, and anyone could have signed him. The Red Sox were the team that showed the initiative, and they've been reaping the benefits ever since.
"He was the guy that bounced around a little bit and then went to Boston and found a home -- it's an inspirational story," said A's outfielder Brandon Moss, who used to play with Ortiz in Boston. "You look at the career he ended up having, and this isn't his last year. He's just an amazing person, and he's fun to watch hit, whether you're playing with him or against him."
When Ortiz crossed home plate, he got a hug from Adrian Gonzalez, who was in the on-deck circle. Dustin Pedroia and Cody Ross were among the first players to greet him on the top step of the dugout.
"It was awesome," said Ross. "It seems like every pitch he's got that chance to do it. As soon as it went in the air, it was just a sigh of relief, for him especially to get that weight off his shoulders. I'm just so happy for him and proud."
Jasper's thoughts: "Did you know that David Ortiz, Carl Yastrzemski, and Ted Williams all hit their 400th homerun against the A's in July? That is quite coincidence!
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