Ortiz Hits His First Home Run Of The Season (humor)

Finally breaking a long home-run drought, Russ Ortiz hit a home run for the Astros in their 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 19th.

Ortiz had been homer-less since knocking in two four for Atlanta in 2003. Ortiz has struggled in 2009, going 2-2 with a 5.81 ERA.

Earlier this month he was taken off the starting rotation, and now pitches in relief. Perhaps Ortiz's home run will bring back memories of more successful times.

With the 2003 Atlanta Braves he won 21 games with a 3.81 ERA. That is the exact same ERA he had as an 18-game winner with the 1999 Giants in only his second year in the majors. Ortiz managed 15 wins in 2004, but has only won nine games in all the years since.

That lone home run did bring him a bit of glory though, making him the first person named Ortiz to hit a home run this year. His batting average of .222 puts him .011 points ahead of Red Sox slugger David Ortiz's .211 average. Perhaps Big Papi could make a move to the ole pitching mound and make a bid for the Ortiz ERA title.

This is all written in good fun though. I'm now rooting to see both guys hit 40 home runs and win 20 games.