When the juiciest of opportunities presented itself Friday night at Fenway Park, Ortiz unloaded. He belted a first-pitch fastball from Joel Pineiro into the Mariners bullpen.

With one powerful swing, Ortiz accomplished a lot. The second grand slam of Ortiz's career was also the 100th home run of his career. And it lifted Martinez and the Sox to an entertaining 6-4 victory before a packed Fenway house of 35,134.

"David is so good when it comes to that situation," said Sox cleanup man Manny Ramirez. "I think he's the best on the team. He always gets the clutch hit."

Give Ortiz credit for his timing. Aside from overturning the deficit, it was his first longball since May 15, a span of 40 at-bats.

His 11th homer of the season boosted his American League-leading RBI total to 43.

Ortiz's heroics have almost come to be expected. He certainly has reached the stage where he expects it from himself.

"I hit in the middle of the lineup, that's part of my job," Ortiz said. "Especially in a situation like that. I hit it pretty good. I just didn't have extension on it. But I stayed inside it pretty good."