Projo Sports Blog

SMITHFIELD -- Give Big Papi a break, says Boston Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino.

"It's too early to lose faith in David Ortiz," Lucchino told the Providence Journal in an interview today at Bryant University in Smithfield, where Lucchino received an honorary degree.

Ortiz "carried the team, carried this franchise, on his shoulders for years," and has earned a reputation as one of the top clutch hitters in the game, Lucchino said.

"We owe him a little slack. Let's give that to him," Lucchino said.

The season is less than two months old. Nevertheless many Red Sox pundits and fans anxious about Ortiz, who has been struggling at the plate lately. Ortiz was benched on Friday night. He had gone 0-for-7 on Thursday in Anaheim, leaving 12 runners on base. Lucchino said it will be up to Red Sox manager Terry Francona when to put Ortiz back in the lineup. "I fully expect him to return as a full, contributing member of this team," Lucchino said.

-- NEIL DOWNING

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