Watch: Clippard fans Ortiz to end game, snaps Boston's win streak at 11
Just as he has so many times before, Boston Red Sox icon David Ortiz stepped to the plate Tuesday night with the game on the line, digging in against Tyler Clippard in front of a nervous Yankee Stadium crowd as his team trailed 6-4, with two outs and two on in the top of the ninth inning.
On this night, though, Ortiz - essentially, "clutch" personified - did something uncharacteristic. He failed.
Ortiz, who managed a .970 OPS in his first 240 career contests against New York, swung through a 3-2 breaking ball from Clippard to end the game, affording New York the victory that snapped Boston's season-best winning streak at 11 games.
Now, the Red Sox will have to wait until at least Wednesday to clinch their first division title since 2013, as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 5-1 at Rogers Centre to keep themselves in contention for an American League East title.
"I went 0-for-5 today, so I ain't got shit to talk about," Ortiz told reporters. "They tricked me tonight. Too much talking, pitcher and catcher. I trick them tomorrow."
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